Last season, Liverpool’s
defence was not as tight as Brendan Rodgers would have liked. Halfway
through the season, Martin Skrtel was dropped from the starting XI due
to a dip in form and replaced by veteran Jamie Carragher, who has since
retired. Sebastian Coates has not developed as quickly as Liverpool
would have liked. Keeper, Pepe Reina has also had a recent decline in
his performance levels, the fan favourite has not been at his best and
went on a season-long loan to Napoli early in the summer.
These factors combined have left Brendan Rodgers’ squad very light at
the back.
It was obvious that reinforcements were needed. During the
summer transfer window the Liverpool boss has brought in new defenders.
Kolo Toure has come in as a replacement for Jamie Carragher, his
experience is very important to this side and he is also an extremely
good player, as we have seen in the first few games of the season.
Aly Cissokho has been brought in on loan as cover at left-back and to
provide competition for Jose Enrique. Simon Mignolet has been signed
from Sunderland to play in goal, so far he has impressed and is already adored by the fans.
On the final day of the transfer window, Liverpool have also signed;
Mamadou Sakho and Tiago Ilori, centre backs who have been closely linked
with moves to the Merseyside club all summer.
Sakho comes from PSG
for a fee of around 15 million pounds, with possible add-ons. He is a
very strong defender, good in the air and tackling on the ground. He
works tirelessly at the back and is a good leader. It is thought that he
may be Daniel Agger’s centre-back partner. At the age of 23 he is a
full French international and is tipped to be a future national team
captain. Tiago Ilori comes from Sporting CP for a fee believed to be
around 8 million pounds. At the age of 20, he is a player for the
future, but is already a very good, established player. He played 20
games at senior club level last season and also plays in the Portugual
Under-20 side.
With the new additions, this could be a very good defensive line this
season and going into the future. It is youthful and there is plenty of
competition for places. Simon Mignolet will be the no.1 keeper, while
Agger will lead the defensive line, Johnson and Enrique will control the
flanks. But the final position is the interesting one, Toure, Sakho and
Skrtel will fight for the final place with Ilori also hoping for a
look-in.
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