According to various reports, Liverpool are ready to raid Schalke once again for their left-back Sead Kolasinac. And Liverpool’s aversion to splashing the cash is not harmed in any manner with this purported target as the player is available on a free next summer. The Anfield outfit were supposed to add to their left-back options before the start of this season but Jürgen Klopp inexplicably decided against doing so.
There were visible doubts regarding Alberto Moreno’s defensive attributes to be a Liverpool left-back. He has a knack of committing high-profile errors the moment the fans appear to be recovering from his previous slip up. With the fans particularly frustrated with his gung-ho approach and Klopp selling Brad Smith, people were scratching their heads at Klopp’s refusal to invest in a full-back. But being the brilliant manager that he is, his plan to convert James Milner into a left-back was not known to the supporters and Milner embarked on another challenge at this late stage in his career.
There were apprehensive faces who believed the player would botch it up in Klopp’s gegenpressing system with an established defender the call of the hour against teams of such high standards.
But being the ultimate professional, Milner was well and truly prepared for the role and he has redeemed himself magnificently. He looks like an established left-back and has been one of the stand-out players in Liverpool’s phenomenal start to the season.
However, the fact remains that he is 30-years old and the Premier League is 38 matches long. Though the numbers have no connection between them, we want to emphasise the risk Liverpool would be taking if they continue with a 31-year-old makeshift left-back as their first choice next season.
Moreno has failed to learn from his mistakes and is almost certain to move on in the summer. Liverpool can do with Klavan, Moreno and Milner as the first choice this season but there is need for a long-term option and that is where Kolasinac comes into the picture.
The Bosnia & Herzegovina international has been used in a rotational role with Weinzierl employing both him and Chelsea loanee Baba Rahman at left-back. It is understood he will be seeking a clarification on his future role before deciding on the state of his contract.
The 23-year old is also a front-footed left-back and is aggressive in his approach and these are the attributes which would seemingly make him an ideal fit for the role under Klopp. But what sets him apart from Moreno is his defensive acumen.
His positional sense is far better and for his age, he has a lot of scope to improve. Matip will help him settle at the club if he indeed makes the move. As in the case of Joel, the negotiations can start in January with the two parties ironing out the details well in advance for the move to go through without any glitches.
