Is Alberto Moreno Liverpool's New John Arne Riise?

Allan JiangAug 4, 2014

Will Alberto Moreno be another Liverpool transfer flop or can he have a John Arne Riise-like impact for Brendan Rodgers' team?

Moreno is expected to move from Sevilla to Liverpool, per James Pearce at the Liverpool Echo.

Here is a scouting report for Liverpool fans on Moreno, a 22-year-old, 5'8", 148-pound Spanish left-back.

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Moreno Positives

Moreno's attack-minded mentality was on show at the 2013 UEFA European Under-21 Championship and he was selected in the Team of the Tournament, per UEFA:

"
In Spain's 4-3-3 with interchanging wingers, the two full-backs—Martin Montoya on the right and Alberto Moreno on the left—combined well with the two wingers and, upon arrival in the final third, either the winger or the full-back would be prepared to cut inside.
...
On the wings, Spain's full-backs—Martin Montoya on the right and Alberto Moreno on the left—pushed forward with panache to help Isco and [Cristian] Tello wreak havoc [against Italy].
"

Credit: UEFA.com

Moreno can keep opposing defences honest with his bustling runs from left-back.

Last season, Moreno scored more goals in league play (three) than Liverpool left-backs Aly Cissokho, Jon Flanagan and Jose Enrique combined (one).

Raiding the left flank, Moreno supplied a low cross which dragged then-Valencia (now Getafe) goalkeeper Vicente Guaita out of position, enabling then-Sevilla (now Manchester City) centre-forward Alvaro Negredo to score a tap-in.

Moreno set up then-Sevilla (now City) right-winger Jesus Navas with a first-time pass against Atletico Madrid.

Real Valladolid goalkeeper Diego Marino had no time to react as Moreno's shot zoomed into the bottom corner.

After shot-faking and cutting past Athletic Bilbao right attacking midfielder Markel Susaeta, Moreno scored a Riise-esque pile-driver.

Moreno Negatives

Unsteady defending from Moreno is a concern as illustrated with his miscued clearance leading to Malaga central attacking midfielder Duda scoring.

Moreno can take out Real's FIFA Ballon d'Or recipient Cristiano Ronaldo with a perfectly timed tackle.

Yet, then he attempted low-percentage challenges from behind against Atletico Madrid and Malaga.

As pointed out by StatsBomb co-founder Ted Knutson, Moreno's statistics do not correlate with a full-back.

Credit: StatsBomb.com

Moreno is better intercepting passes (2.5) than tackling (1.8).
One hundred and one players in La Liga averaged more tackles per game (1.9 plus) than Moreno.
Flanagan averaged 1.6 more tackles per game (3.4) than Moreno (1.8).

Having only completed 40 percent of tackles last season, per Squawka, Moreno needs to drastically improve his defending.