Liverpool Transfers: Would Signing Lorenzo Melgarejo Give Reds Enough Quality?

Liverpool have been linked with a number of left-back signings over the summer transfer window, and it appears one must now surely be close to being sealed after manager Brendan Rodgers allowed youngster Jack Robinson to move on loan.

As the only member of the squad who could naturally cover for first-choice full-back Jose Enrique, Robinson's departure—on a year-long loan to Championship side Blackpool—leaves Liverpool without numbers and quality in an important area of the team.

Lorenzo Melgarejo is the latest name in the frame regarding a player joining the Reds to compete for that same position, as per Mike Whalley of ESPN.

The reported deal is, like Robinson's, a season-long loan deal from Benfica, with the Reds having an option to make the move permanent at the end of the season for around £7 million. Would the move be a wise one for Liverpool, though, and would it give them enough quality in the side in the full-back areas?

Why full-backs are important for Liverpool, and present club options

Brendan Rodgers has insisted on a possession-based approach to games, where the emphasis on attack is to utilise players who are comfortable on the ball, able to keep passing and retain the ball under pressure, and are fluid in their movement across the final third of the pitch.

While such great movement and technique is admirable and indeed important, it also often gives Liverpool the problem of crowding the central areas of the pitch and not having an option to stretch play, vertically or horizontally.

The full-backs on both sides, at present, are expected to push on extremely high up the pitch, offering an out-ball from the middle to open up play, but also offering the chance to play diagonal passes behind the opposition defence, opening up the pitch vertically.

When on form, both of the Reds' first choice two do manage to do this—Glen Johnson and Jose Enrique—but all too often, there is little in the way of end product. With Johnson it is on occasion because of his tendency to do too much or fail to execute a final difficult through-ball, while on the opposite flank, the left, Jose Enrique's decision making falls well short at times in both timing and execution.

When Liverpool have been under pressure or struggling in games, both also tend to sit back a little more to provide solidity to the defence; admirable of course, since they are defenders, but it leaves the team very restricted going forward.

Andre Wisdom and Martin Kelly are now the only other senior options for full-back, having both been utilised on the right in their time in the first team, while Ryan McLaughlin is a younger option on the same side.

Melgarejo, and quantity vs. quality

To the Benfica left-sided player, then, and a quick glance at his background.

The 22-year-old is a Paraguay international who has featured just once for his country, which in the first instance may present significant work permit issues. He joined Benfica from Independiente, a Paraguayan side, two summers ago, and has spent time on loan at Pacos de Ferreira while in Portugal.

In total he has featured 50 times in the Portuguese Primera Liga, and also has a handful of Champions League appearances.

Melgarejo scored 10 times in his first campaign, when he was out on loan, playing from an advanced wing position in midfield. While he also featured from the right at times, his main starting position was on the left flank. Last season back at Benfica, he was more often utilised as an attacking left-back, playing 21 league games and scoring twice.

The overriding feeling on Melgarejo seems to be that, while he is exciting and impressive going forward, he lacks the awareness and technique at present to be an effective defender.

Had Liverpool already an experienced defence, used to playing alongside each other and with adequate protection in front of them, this might be an acceptable risk. On the other hand, neither full-back area is working the way it needs to at present, especially the left side, so changing what isn't working is always going to be preferable than continuing along the same vein and hoping things pan out.

The Reds will certainly need additional attacking elements on the left if Philippe Coutinho is to start frequently from that side in attack, as he is likely to consistently cut infield to create chances for the team.

Whilst the Reds' No. 3 has the physical prowess to get forward quickly, overlap and support in the attack, he lacks both the technical and mental capacity to really make it count on a consistent basis when he receives the ball in promising areas, and it is this which will cost Jose Enrique his place. Indeed, it is likely this which has seen Rodgers looking for alternative options in the first instance.

Ultimately, Liverpool need to improve their first XI this summer in a variety of positions; quality is of paramount importance.

However, if Rodgers' first choices in different areas of the pitch are unavailable or unattainable, it might be that he simply has to go for quantity over quality in one or two positions during this transfer window.

The Reds cannot be expected to go all season with only Jose Enrique as a left-back option and still be competitive.

If Liverpool, therefore, are able to secure a work permit for their Paraguayan target, it could be a deal which pays off handsomely for the club. The loan-to-buy system gives them a chance to assess their man at close quarters on a regular basis, and the player has the chance to show he is capable of earning himself a position in the team before making a permanent move.

It might not be the move Reds fans were expecting, but it might be the most reasonable outcome for the club in this position this summer.

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