Liverpool very well understood that it was impossible to replace a player of Suarez with a like for like and as such they have done the next best thing possible. They have tried to invest in the squad and make it capable of sustaining the Premier League as well the Champions League for a number of years. Certainly their focus was on the youngsters and it cannot be said that they have done poorly on that part. But many may still argue this same strategy proved to be a failure for Spurs last season and they struggled in spite of having one of the most competent squad.
Liverpool and their problem of full backs is well known. The club do not trust Glen Johnson enough to make him the first choice for the next season and they have long searched for a good replacement. But till now they were unable to find a decent player and the signs were not very positive until suddenly they made a breakthrough with not just one, but two left backs at the same time.
Sevilla were playing the hardball with Alberto Moreno for long, but now it seems like the Merseyside club will be able to sign the Spanish youngster for a fee close to £16 million. At the same time reports are in that Liverpool will be able to sign Atletico Madrid right back Javier Manquillo on a loan deal which will last for the next two seasons. This will certainly delight the supporters of the club, but the question remains what will Liverpool do with a full back as young as 20-years who Atletico are considering as a surplus?
We understand the signing of Javi Manquillo is close – Sky sources have told us a loan deal could be completed within days. Details on #SSN
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) August 1, 2014
There is not an iota of doubt on anyone’s mind that Manquillo is a talented player with a very bright future in front of him. But at 20, he is just not ready yet to play at the highest level for a top club. It is primarily the reason that Atletico are letting him go for just a loan fee for the next two seasons. In a season where Atletico won the La Liga downing other heavyweights like Real Madrid and Barcelona, he played just three times for the club and Diego Simeone, who is a great admirer of talents, cannot foresee Manquillo playing a huge role for Atletico in the coming seasons.
This whole deal would have made sense if there was a buyout clause at the end of the loan period. But reportedly Arsenal dropped their interest in Manquillo after Atletico did not intend to keep that buyout clause and wanted their man to return to Spain after two seasons. Liverpool are a club who should have title ambitions and go for the bigger prizes and that should bar them from going after players who would leave on loan after being a part of the squad.
Now if Liverpool consider the cup matches, they still have Jose Enrique and Jon Flanagan in their team and that should be reasonable backup for the team. Considering all these, Javier Manquillo to Liverpool does not make sense at the moment.
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