Why Liverpool should’ve signed Patrick van Aanholt
Liverpool have looked a little leggy in their first couple of games this season, with many players coming back from tournaments during the summer break.
The number of competitions they’ve had to play in wouldn’t have helped but they’ve already seen what that can do to a side, having lost Alisson to injury.
Another area where they cannot have a player unavailable to play games is in left-back with Andy Robertson having no reliable back-up after seeing Alberto Moreno leave the club.
James Milner was used in that position quite often in Jurgen Klopp’s early tenure and despite his fitness, he can’t have the same type of output that Robertson provides.
Robertson hasn’t set the league alight this season so far and he’ll probably get back to his best soon enough, which is why it’s surprising that Liverpool didn’t move for a back-up left-back. One player who they’d been linked with was Patrick van Aanholt of Crystal Palace.
The Dutch international has a lot of Premier League experience, having come through the Chelsea ranks and going on various loan spells before making himself a regular at Sunderland and Crystal Palace in the last 5 to 6 years.
Van Aanholt is also a Dutch international and would be playing beside his counterpart Virgil van Dijk, which should help him settle.
Van Aanholt is capable of playing as a left-winger, left-back and left wing-back as he’s excellent going forward and with experience has really improved his defensive game under Roy Hodgson at Palace. Van Aanholt is also a set-piece specialist and would be allowed to play in a system that allows him to use the full width of the pitch.
He would also get a lot of game time because Liverpool will be looking to compete in all competitions, which requires a lot of squad depth.
Having a player of his quality would give Klopp some flexibility in certain games and allow Robertson to play games without the fear of injury. Van Aanholt is the ultimate professional and also has the joyful personality that would be welcome in any dressing room.
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Liverpool face Arsenal next week at Anfield in a very exciting fixture which will have a massive say on how both teams perform in the upcoming season and will be hoping they’re energized like everyone expects them to be with no midweek fixtures this time.