The Reds woes at fullback have been well documented; although local lad Jon Flanagan and on-loan Valencia man Aly Cissokho have done admirably standing in for first choice pair Glen Johnson and Jose Enrique, even the “main men” have looked a little more than shaky at times. Anfield boss Brendan Rodgers has been linked with a number of fullbacks – the with youngsters Martin Montoya and Luke Shaw being the most exciting of the bunch – but it’s a pair of old timers in Toureesque situations that really have the wheels turning.
Ashley Cole, who has made a mere 13 Premier League appearances this season, is out of contract in the summer and able to talks with clubs now. Interest in the 33-year old seems to stem from Rodgers time working with him at Chelsea as he’s a player the Northern Irishman knows quite well. Should Liverpool qualify for the Champions League next season, a deeper squad would be required and Cole could play a part in it if we’re able to get him at the right price; ditto for Arsenal contract rebel Bacary Sagna.
The French fullback – also rumoured to be talking with Inter Milan – is also out of contract this summer, and despite Arsenal’s attempts at getting him to sign a new contract, the 31-year old has so far given Arsene Wenger and company the cold shoulder. Although he, like Cole, are outside of the profile of players that Rodgers and Liverpool typically target, Champions League experience and title credentials go a long way in a young squad. Should the Reds qualify for Europe next year, voices like those of Kolo Toure and Steven Gerrard will be invaluable in the dressing room – adding one or two more might not be the worst idea.
