Liverpool Transfer Rumors Part IV : Defenders
The Liverpool defense has been through its ups and downs this season.
In past seasons, Liverpool had been known to have a good defensive record, something that was missing in the early part of the campaign this year despite the defensive tactics employed by the former manager.
With Kenny Dalglish's appointment has come a resurgence in defense for Liverpool with only one goal conceded in the last six games.
However, there are obvious areas of concern, and Liverpool might look for reinforcements in this area as well.
The right back position seems to be adequately covered, with Martin Kelly competing with the England international Glen Johnson for the position.
The central defense seems to be in the able hands of Jamie Carragher, Daniel Agger and Martin Skrtel. However, with Carragher aging and Skrtel being mistake-prone, Liverpool just might be looking to reinforce the center of defense.
Since the departure of John Arne Riise, Liverpool has been looking for a quality left back. With Emiliano Insua out on loan to Galatasaray and Fabio Aurelio being preferred in the midfield, Johnson has been playing the left back role under Kenny. Hence, Liverpool would definitely look to get some quality in this area in the summer.
The list looks at five left backs and five central defenders who could make a switch to Anfield in the summer.
Fabio Coentrao, LB
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Current Club: Benfica
Expected Price: £20-25m
Highly impressive in the World Cup, Coentrao was one of the few Portuguese players who did not disappoint.
His bursts of speed down the flanks at times also outshone the more decorated player in the side, Cristiano Ronaldo. As a result, he became one of the most sought-after left backs in the world.
However, with him having a deal with Benfica running up to 2016, he won't come cheap.
Manchester United were also said to be in the race for the 22-year-old, but with Patrice Evra signing a new deal, they are expected to be out of the race. That leaves only Liverpool and Real Madrid with a realistic chance to land the left back.
Recently, Coentrao gave an interview stating, "I love Liverpool," which is being seen as many as the expression of his preferred club.
With teammate Raul Meireles already making a switch to Anfield in the summer, the fans might just be hoping for a Portuguese revolution at Anfield.
Taye Taiwo, LB
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Current Club: Marseille
Expected Price: Free
The 25-year-old Nigerian has been a regular for Marseille for the last five to six years with over 170 appearances for the Ligue 1 team. He has also appeared 40 times for his national team.
He has earned comparisons to Roberto Carlos due to his attacking playing style and powerful shot.
Even Marseille has admitted defeat in their attempt to make the defender stay at the club.
Many Premier League clubs have been on the trail of this talented left back with Tottenham and Manchester City also in the race, along with clubs like Juventus and Real Madrid.
With the additional benefit of getting him for free, there would probably be a mad scramble for his signing.
Jose Enrique Sanchez, LB
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Current Club: Newcastle United
Expected Price: £5m
Jose Enrique moved to Newcastle from Villarreal in 2007 and stuck with the club though their year in the Championship.
He was voted the Newcastle Player of the Year for 2009-10 and was also named to the PFA Championship Team of the Year.
He has been quite impressive since Newcastle moved back into the Premier League, and his performances have caught the eye of a number of big clubs.
Very strong defensively with strong tackling abilities, his long-range passing ability just adds value to his stock.
With just a year left on his contract, Newcastle might be ready to do business for him rather than risk losing him for free.
With fewer full backs available having good defensive ability, Enrique is certainly a defender who can defend.
Liverpool might not do too bad if they are able to secure the signing of this 24-year-old.
Emilio Izaguirre, LB
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Current Club: Celtic
Expected Price: £4-6m
The 24-year-old has not even spent one season at Celtic yet and has already started attracting attention from a number of top clubs.
The Honduran has also made over over 40 appearances for his national team.
He has impressed everyone with his defensive abilities coupled with the ability to get forward when required.
Kenny was said to be at the match to watch the youngster in the victory against Rangers.
However, with Sir Alex Ferguson also said to have watched the player and even clubs like Villa and Everton interested, this might prove to be an interesting battle.
John Arne Riise, LB
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Current Club: AS Roma
Expected Price: £6m
Most Liverpool fans would not need an introduction to this player. It was his departure that started the crisis of Liverpool at this position.
During his seven-year spell at Liverpool from 2001 to 2008, he appeared for the club 348 times, scoring 33 times on the way.
Along with his defensive duties, he had a knack of scoring important goals for Liverpool and was very well known for his powerful shot.
He has also represented his national team over 90 times.
However, at 30 years of age, he does not seem to fit the billing of FSG.
His signing could be a huge gamble with Liverpool fans, hoping that in case the unlikely signing does go ahead, they see the Riise of old rather than the Riise of last season at Anfield, when he was plagued by bad form.
Simon Kjaer, CB
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Current Club: Wolfsburg
Expected Price: £10m
The 21-year-old has been the subject of attention of a number of clubs from across the globe.
The Danish international has made 15 appearances for his national team, including a couple of impressive performances in the World Cup.
He has impressed everybody with his ability to read the game, as well as his tackling abilities.
Wolfsburg's disastrous season has already led to the sacking of Steve McClaren this year, and the club may be forced to sell the youngster just a year after arriving from Palermo to cut their expected losses this year.
A host of Premier League clubs want to secure his services, including Spurs, Arsenal and United.
However, his earlier admission of Liverpool being his boyhood favorite club and the presence of Daniel Agger has put the Reds in pole position to secure the signing of this youngster.
Mateo Musacchio, CB
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Current Club: Villarreal
Expected Price: £4-6m
A product of the River Plate youth system, the player moved to Villarreal in August 2009.
After spending a year in the B team, he was promoted to the first team, where his string of impressive performances has invited the attention of a number of clubs.
Clubs like Juventus and Milan have also expressed interest in the young Argentinian.
At just 20 years of age, he would fit in ideally with the youth policy of FSG.
However, with Musacchio having a long-term contract with Villarreal, securing his signing would not be easy.
Scott Dann, CB
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Current Club: Birmingham City
Expected Price: £10m
The 23-year-old Liverpudlian has been at the heart of the Birmingham defense for the past two years and has formed an awesome partnership with Roger Johnson.
Their combination has been one of the reasons for Birmingham's awesome defensive showing, one that gave St. Andrew's the reputation of a fortress last season.
His tackling abilities and his presence in the air make him the ideal central defender.
With only 18 months left on his contract and Birmingham not being able to offer the players an improved contract, Birmingham might sell him this summer rather than see him leave for free next season.
Dann is a former Liverpool season ticket holder, and Liverpool fans might relish the prospect of getting more local flavor in the side.
Though Spurs are also said to be monitoring the defender, any interest from the Reds would certainly make them the favorites.
Philippe Mexes, CB
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Current Club: AS Roma
Expected Price: Free
The 6'2" central defender has been at Roma for over six years now. He had been one of the central figures in the Roma defense, first forming a partnership with Cristian Chivu and later with Juan and Christian Panucci.
However, this season has been frustrating for the French international, as he has been relegated to appearances from the bench.
He is said to looking for a move away from Roma, and Liverpool are said to be one of the suitors for his signing.
With over 160 appearances at the top level and at 28 years of age, he could be the ideal candidate to fill the void for three to four years before the youngsters Martin Kelly, Daniel Wilson and Conor Coady are take over the central defense duties at Anfield.
Gary Cahill, CB
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Current Club: Bolton
Expected price: £15-20m
Highly rated by almost everyone in the Premier League, Cahill is wanted by almost all the top clubs.
Both Kenny Dalglish and Damien Comolli rate the 25-year-old very highly, and he is seen as a long-term successor to Jamie Carragher.
Since his move from Villa in 2008, he has made over 100 appearances for the Trotters.
Along with his defensive duties, which he fulfils very well, he is also an aerial threat to the goal in set pieces and has scored nine times already for Bolton.
However, with all the top clubs in England, including Arsenal, Spurs and United, monitoring his progress, he is not expected to come cheap.
The Youngsters
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Liverpool do have a number of promising youngsters in the defense.
With Kelly already making waves in the first team, soon players like Coady and Wilson are expected to make the cut.
With the academy also having players such as Chris Mavinga and Andre Wisdom, Liverpool is expected to have a good future in the defense as well.
However, the immediate concerns need to be addressed before the youngsters can be expected to take over.
With the four parts of the series done, I would like to invite the readers to give their opinion on the four or five players that Liverpool might realistically sign this window, along with the total expected expenditure.
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