TALK @ Mamak: May 2014

Thursday, 15 May 2014

Sevilla's Moreno tops Reds left-back wish list

Liverpool FC will sign a new left-back this summer with Sevilla's Alberto Moreno at the top of their wish list.

The Reds remain in talks with Southampton as they look to negotiate a deal for midfielder Adam Lallana after tabling a £20million bid earlier this week.

However, Anfield officials are also pressing on with plans to strengthen their backline and have drawn up a shortlist of potential recruits.

Moreno has enjoyed a fine season in La Liga – helping Sevilla to the Europa League final and securing his place in Spain's 30-man provisional World Cup squad.The 21-year-old is one of the rising stars of Spanish football and is likely to command a fee in excess of £15million.

Brendan Rodgers is a big admirer of his talents but there will be competition for his signature with Chelsea among a number of clubs keen on securing his services.

The other left-backs under consideration at Anfield are Guilherme Siqueira and Ryan Bertrand.

The Reds tried to sign Granada's Siqueira last summer but were unable to agree a fee and the 28-year-old Brazil-born defender, who has Italian citizenship, ended up going on a season-long loan to Benfica.

The Portuguese champions do have the option to make the move permanent but Liverpool are monitoring that situation closely. Siqueira is also coveted by AC Milan.

Chelsea full-back Bertrand is another player of interest to Liverpool. Rodgers knows the 24-year-old well having coached him when he was in the youth ranks at Chelsea and then signed him on loan when he was in charge at Reading.

Bertrand, who finished this season on loan at Aston Villa, would jump at the chance to make the switch to Anfield in order to kick-start his career after seeing his opportunities severely limited at Stamford Bridge.

However, negotiating that deal could prove problematic. The Reds' resurgence this season means the Londoners are reluctant to do business with a club they now view as genuine title rivals.

Rodgers needs a left-back following the end of Aly Cissokho's season-long loan from Valencia.

The France international won't be returning to Merseyside after failing to impress and neither will fellow loanee Victor Moses, who has gone back to Chelsea.

Jose Enrique, who missed most of the campaign due to a knee injury, should be fit for the start of pre-season.

However, with the added demands of Champions League football next term, Rodgers is determined to ensure Liverpool have greater strength in depth.

Jon Flanagan deputised at left-back with distinction in the second half of the season and will be rewarded with a new contract this summer.

However, the Academy graduate is more suited to playing on the opposite flank and his future is likely to be on the right.

Reports linking Liverpool with a move for Chelsea's out of contract left-back Ashley Cole are wide of the mark.

The Reds have no interest in the 33-year-old defender who retired from international football this week after being overlooked for England's World Cup squad.

Rodgers will also be in the market for a centre-back this summer as he looks to shore up a backline which leaked 50 league goals. Cardiff City's Steven Caulker is one of a number currently under consideration.

There is no truth in speculation about a possible return to Anfield for Barcelona's Javier Mascherano, who parted company with the Reds four years ago.