Left Back Troubles – 3 Names Liverpool Should Add To Their January Wishlist

Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool have made an outstanding start this season. On the attacking front, they have been quite scintillating and have made heads turn with their goal scoring prowess. More than just goals, it is how they are approaching the game is making people stand up and take notice. Klopp has finally got his players playing for him and every player seems to be enjoying his time under the master German.

One thing that has had a certain degree of fragility about Liverpool this season and that has been their defensive side, without a slightest of doubt. They have leaked unnecessary goals and just don’t look like they can hold their own together in defence. One particular position that has come under the scanner is that of left back. James Milner has been putting in a shift there in Alberto Moreno’s place and he put on a decent show for himself and even scored 4 goals, albeit all of them came from the penalty spot. Moreno returned for the game against Crystal Palace and showed everything that describes him. He is spectacular, likes to get forward with aplomb but just cannot defend.

Klopp should read these signs and act upon them in January when he should look to bring in more cover for the position. There are plenty of left backs who would fit the Anfield bill.  So, Here is a look at some left backs that Klopp can target –

Jonas Hector (Koln FC)

The German defender is quite a versatile player as he is equally adept at playing at center back too. He is the complete opposite of Alberto Moreno in many ways; steady, unspectacular and reliable. He had quite a good Euro 2016 with the national team and his performances there would’ve certainly pushed his price tag up. Not that this will discourage Liverpool in any way as they can afford to invest in a position where they are currently short on numbers. At Euro 2016, Hector caught many eyes with his performances. He did exceedingly well in his maiden big tournament and his performances earned him rave reviews. He was a constant threat going forward and did really well on the defensive end too.

Koln wouldn’t be averse to selling him as they can recoup a decent fee for the 26-year-old. Hector has been at Koln since 2010 and has made 130 appearances for them. He made his international debut for Germany in November 2014 and his most notable moment with the national team came when he scored the winning penalty in a shootout against Italy at Euro 2016 to take Germany into the semi-final stage.

Ricardo Rodriquez (Vfl Wolfsburg)

Another German-based player, the Swiss man is quite a solid left back. Along with being solid defensively, he can get forward to great effect and has a wand of a left foot which can also come in handy for set piece situations. Not that Liverpool are in need of set piece takers though, they have Phillipe Coutinho who has been nothing but spectacular this season. He has been at Wolfsburg since 2012 and has gone to make 125 appearances. That he has scored 14 goals along that time shows that he is quite capable when it comes to scoring goals. Some of those goals are bound to be free kicks as Rodriquez has a dream of a left foot and when he hits them, they usually stay hit and rattle the back of the net.

He also has a lot of experience at big tournaments playing for the Switzerland national team; this will undoubtedly help him if he makes the move to England.

Jordan Amavi (Aston Villa)

Amavi would certainly be the cheapest option out of the three. The Frenchman moved to Aston Villa last term and impressed briefly before getting seriously injured. That injury kept him out for the entirety of last season. It is likely that many players will depart Aston Villa in January as they have failed to impress in The Championship so far. Amavi is a very enterprising left back who likes to get forward and involve in attacks. In his time at France, he also showed that he can be relied upon, defensively.If moves for more established left backs don’t work out, Klopp can look to Amavi to be the answer to his

If moves for more established left backs don’t work out, Klopp can look to Amavi to be the answer to his left-back troubles. Yes, he hasn’t been able to show what he is made of at Aston Villa for a prolonged period, but his time in France will hold him in good stead.