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Transfers
Spanish Starlet Moreno signs on for Liverpool
Spanish youngster Alberto Moreno has just signed on the dotted line for Liverpool Football Club, making him their eighth major signing of the summer transfer window so far. This deal looked on the verge of completion back in June, but a failure to agree terms meant that negotiations were dead in the water. However, whether Rodgers’ other targets are not available or Sevilla have approached Liverpool with a compromise offer, Liverpool’s interest in Moreno has been rekindled. Brendan Rodgers has registered the need to strengthen the defensive portion of Liverpool’s squad all summer long, having already added Dejan Lovren and fellow Spaniard Javier Manquillo to their ranks in this period.
The ex-Sevilla left-back has joined Liverpool for a fee reported to be £12 million. Moreno has enjoyed a successful past couple of seasons in La Liga which have thrust him into the limelight for many possible suitors to observe. Several were apparently interested, so it will be fascinating to see what made the pacey Spaniard opt for Anfield in particular.
His squad number for the new season has not yet been confirmed, but José Enrique is the current holder of the typical left-back’s number 3. While I’m sure Rodgers has not totally decided on what he feels will be his strongest XI for the months ahead, it seems more than likely that Moreno will figure heavily. Although £12 million still represents good value for a player of his quality, age, and potential, it is a significant sum and one that is simply not spent on a prospective substitute.
Anyone who watched Liverpool last season knows that their defence is the main area which needs strengthening, and the signing of Moreno is certainly a start. Conceding goals is what cost them the title and reinforcements need to be made to the rest of the back line too. At left back in particular, Enriqué’s long term injury and Cissokho’s ineptitude forced Rodgers to chuck the right-footed rookie Jon Flanagan into first team action. While the England international took to it like a duck to water, the step up in quality that the Champions League will bring requires recruits with a quality to match. Moreno’s Spanish football upbringing can combine well with Rodgers’ philosophy, and his energetic performances should add attacking danger and defensive solidity to Liverpool next year.