New Crystal Palace boss Alan Pardew may have taken a step back from his stated interest of taking Liverpool striker Rickie Lambert to Selhurst Park now that the Eagles have wrapped up the loan signing of Arsenal youngster Yaya Sanogo, but rumour has it that wasn’t the only member of the Reds squad that the former Newcastle manager has his eyes on.
Jose Enrique has found his chances on Merseyside few and far between this season after the Reds brought in two new fullbacks over the summer, though his former boss is reportedly looking at giving the fullback Premier League lifeline. Now that he’s got an attacking recruit in, Pardew will be looking to help shore up the back as the Eagles attempt to stave-off relegation — that, of course, is where the Spaniard comes him.
Now, whether or not Liverpool will be interested in letting him galavant off to London for the remainder of the season is another question. League duties aside, the Reds are still alive in three cup competitions and will play out a two-legged League Cup semi-final with Chelsea sandwiched in between an FA Cup fifth round clash with Championship side Bolton Wanderers before the month is out. When you add to that what’s sure to be a grueling Europa League campaign- where they’ll square off against Turkish side Besiktas in the Round of 32 — and Enrique’s chances of leaving are looking less and less likely.
With that being said, his chances of seeing much more action are also looking less and less likely as both Jon Flanagan and Glen Johnson look set to return from long standing injuries in the near future. Competition for places in the squad will only be amped up that much more with Spanish duo Javier Manquillo and Alberto Moreno also fighting for a spot in the back-line, though with Reds boss Brendan Rodgers new love of only playing three at the back– and insistence on deploying midfielders at wing-back — there’s a possibility none of our fullbacks will ever see the pitch again.
