Why signing Ricardo Rodriguez would be a good move by Liverpool
European champions Liverpool could become a formidable force to reckon with by making a move for AC Milan outcast Ricardo Rodriguez.
The Swiss left-back is under the scanner of Reds’ Merseyside neighbours Everton, who have been linked with a move for the full-back, according to Blick (h/t Liverpool Echo).
The 27-year old is deeply disappointed at the lack of game time under new boss Stefano Pioli whose arrival has seen him lose his spot to new big-money signing Theo Hernandez from Real Madrid.
Playing second fiddle to Theo has dampened the Swiss international’s spirits and the left-back is looking for a switch, according to the report.
Liverpool, who had been interested (Mirror h/t Daily Star) in signing the defender in 2017 after his exploits at Wolfsburg, finally settled for Sevilla’s Alberto Moreno.
Meanwhile, Moreno had a rather tense period blighted by injuries at Anfield as he left the Reds this summer to join Villarreal.
No back-up
The Reds, at present, have nine defenders in their squad. Except for Andy Robertson, there is no other established left full-back. For a European champion in the mould of Liverpool, this is a major limitation. Even smaller clubs need at least two players for a single position.
Andy Robertson is currently in the form of his life, winning the Champions League and finishing second in the league table last year. As a part of tactics, Klopp relies a lot on his two full-backs – Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Being a regular choice means regular matches – league games, Champions League games and league cup clashes. Fatigue and injuries are quite normal to footballers but in Liverpool’s case, Robertson does not have a back-up.
Ricardo’s inclusion to the squad would be an added bonus for Klopp and his management, as the player has performed that role to full satisfaction at his previous clubs.
Good competition
Bringing Rodriguez to Anfield will increase the competition for the left-back spot. It would be interesting to see the Swiss and Robertson rub shoulders with each other to gain first-team action.
Though Klopp could stick with Robertson, Rodriguez’s arrival would open the door for healthy competition and more variety.
Before leaving for Italy in 2017, Rodriguez had made a name for himself at Germany and Europe with a whopping 19 goals and 25 assists in his 160 appearances for Wolfsburg.
He has not been as impressive as his stint in Germany but nevertheless, has contributed with three goals and six assists from 82 matches over a period of more than two years.
Liverpool is now on cruise mode, remaining unbeaten in the league after 11 matches but with the tight schedules and continuous workload, players will soon feel the heat of all this action.
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In Rodriguez, Liverpool would have a world-class defender to add more strength to their squad and in Liverpool, Rodriguez can once again seek the heights he was destined for.