With all of Liverpool’s targets for the left side of the defence proving to be problematic, Reds boss Brendan Rodgers will be hoping for a smoother ride on the right as the club inch towards the loan signing of promising Atletico Madrid defender Javier Manquillo.
The 20-year old had a hard go it it last year with the newly minted La Liga champions all but ignoring his need for regular playing time with a serious lack of appearances a definite hindrance to his development. Competition for a spot on the right is sure to be fierce this coming campaign as both Glen Johnson and Jon Flanagan vie for a spot in the side, but that could be exactly the type of environment the youngster needs to re-capture the kind of form that propelled him into Spain’s prestigious youth set-up.
Rodgers has so far been stifled in his attempts to bring in defensive reinforcements to Anfield this summer and has seen deals for the likes of Alberto Moreno, Ben Davies and Dejan Lovren crumble, fall by the wayside or stall as the Northern Irishman tries to plug up the Reds glaring holes at the back.
Although the Anfield outfit have cash to spend following the departure of star striker Luis Suarez to Barcelona, the La Liga side seem keen on a loan deal with a view to a permanent transfer for an unnamed fee if Manquillo can find his feet on Merseyside. Should the deal go through, the 20-year old will be Rodgers first defensive signing of the summer — and if things continue to be as tough as they have been, he could very well be his only one.
