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If anyone needed anymore convincing that Liverpool need defensive reinforcements next season, all they had to do was watch the Reds throw away a three-goal lead against Crystal Palace on Monday night.
The Reds’ lethal attack had sent them to 3-0 up and headed for the top of the league. They still moved above Manchester City but by one point and with the Sky Blues having a game in hand, they need just four points from games against Aston Villa and West Ham to secure the Premier League title.
Liverpool have scored 99 goals in the league. Only Real Madrid have scored more in Europe (100). However, their defence has held them back, especially on Monday.
They’ve now conceded 49 goals in the Premier League, more than Hull City (48) and the same as West Ham United. That, for a title-challenging side, is absurd.
Here are three players who could help Liverpool to tighten up at the back and prevent nights like last night from happening again.
1. Ricardo Rodriguez
Liverpool’s weakest area of the squad is at full-back. Glen Johnson, on the right-hand side is a constant liability and a lot of goals conceded come through his area of his field. He’s ageing, has constant injury concerns and his performances do not match his extortionate wages.
Jon Flanagan has proven himself at left-back but his natural position is on the right. Should Brendan Rodgers, and his transfer committee, target a new left-back, the improving and prosperous Flanagan could remain. Liverpool should go for Ricardo Rodriguez, of Wolfsburg.
At 21-years-of-age, he is everything Liverpool look for in a player. Talented, young, considerably cheap and has bags of potential. In the Bundesliga this season, he’s created 73 chances which is more than the likes of Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben.
He’s also won 85 tackles, 96 headed duels and completed 82 take-ons. He’s an all-round left-back and would be a superb signing for the Reds.
2. Steven Caulker
Steven Caulker
Caulker has been relegated with Cardiff City but, as captain, has actually performed quite well, scoring five goals and creating 9 chances.
Caulker is very highly-rated and has made his England debut this season. He cost the Welsh club £9 million last summer but should be cheaper now that Cardiff have been relegated.
He’s a tall, powerful defender that needs work but has plenty of potential and Rodgers has shown this past season what he can do with potential. Caulker has won a mammoth 140 headed duels as well as coming out on top in 30 of 54 tackles.
The Englishman would represent a good signing for Liverpool and could strengthen the centre of their defence.
3. Morgan Schneiderlin
Morgan Schneiderlin
Liverpool are in need of help in the defensive department and that doesn’t just include the back four. Morgan Schneiderlin would represent a quality signing for the Reds as he can play in a number of different positions in midfield. He predominantly plays as the deepest midfielder, pressuring the opposition and breaking attacks down, before starting his own.
Steven Gerrard has been brilliant at the base of Liverpool’s midfield in recent months but the addition of Lucas to midfield shows a distinct lack of squad depth.
He’s created 30 chances this season as well as winning 86 tackles. He’s confident in midfield and can dominate most games.
Schneiderlin would be a brilliant signing. The only problem would be the price-tag, which could potentially rise to £20 million.
