The Reds have decided to move for Benfica ace…
Liverpool will try to capture Benfica’s 22-year-old left-back Lorenzo Melgarejo on loan for the coming season, according to The Mirror.
The Paraguayan starts for Benfica after being converted from a more attacking position to a left-back last summer. His form also earned him a first cap for the national side last November, and won him an improved contract that expires in 2018. Melgarejo started in the Europa League final against Chelsea, and in the Portuguese Cup final, but Liverpool want to loan the fullback from the Portuguese club.
Liverpool need a new left-back to challenge the injury prone Spaniard Jose Enrique, who missed matches last year with a hamstring tear. The Reds were reportedly close to tying up another loan deal for Valencia’s French left-back Aly Cissokho, but his excessive wage demands means the Reds have enquired about the availability of Melgarejo.
Glen Johnson can play at left-back, but Brendan Rodgers would prefer to use him in his more natural position on the right. He has adequate cover in the right-back slot with Martin Kelly and Andre Wisdom more than capable of filling in, but the left-back berth is short. If Rodgers can acquire another player to fill this position, he will no doubt concentrate his attentions on improving the other end of the pitch – and try to sign the exciting first team players he promised he would a few weeks ago.
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