Liverpool will be looking at a variety of defenders on show at this summer’s World Cup…
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With Liverpool’s proposed transfer move for Sevilla left-back Alberto Moreno hanging firmly in the balance, Reds’ manager Brendan Rodgers will no doubt be watching on with interest during this summer’s World Cup, keen to scout out potential alternatives that could help to strengthen his teams leaky defence. Here are five possible options that are currently on international duty in Brazil:
5) Fabio Coentrao
The 26-year-old attacking full-back is currently at the World Cup with Portugal. He has struggled in a Real Madrid shirt, and has made just 46 league appearances since joining from Benfica in 2011.
He was strongly linked with a move to Manchester United last summer, but with Louis van Gaal having secured current left back Patrice Evra for a further year, and with Luke Shaw still very much on the Old Trafford club’s radar, Coentrao could well be available. The Portuguese full back regularly struggled to displace Brazilian defender Marcelo in the Real team, and he could be keen on a move that ensures him more first team football.
4) Luke Shaw
There seems to be an endless queue for the Southampton teenager, who will shortly return home from the World Cup with England. Both Manchester United and Chelsea are widely known to be long-term admirers of the 18-year-old, but with neither team yet to progress with negotiations, there could yet be a surprise latecomer to the Luke Shaw auction.
3) Ricardo Rodriguez
He may not have had the best World Cup as of yet, with his Switzerland team cruelly humbled by a rampant French side, but this 21-year-old full-back looks like a hugely exciting prospect.
He scored five goals and made nine assists for German-side Wolfsburg last season, who he joined from Zurich in 2012. The impressive performer made his Swiss debut in 2011, and has already appeared over 20 times, whilst also playing in all three of his country’s games at the 2012 London Olympics.
2) Marcos Rojo
The 24-year-old Argentine has been hugely impressive for his country in recent times, playing as either a full-back or a centre-back.
Sporting Lisbon paid just £3.5 million for his services in 2012, when he moved from Spartak Moscow, and the Portuguese club will be hugely confident of make a big profit on their investment, with Rojo having finally realised his potential as one of Argentina’s greatest defensive prospects.
1) Daley Blind
The 24-year-old currently starring as part of the impressive new era of young Dutch players, Blind has spent his entire career with his native Ajax – who he joined as an eight-year-old.
Rumours have already been linking the full-back with a move to Manchester United, where he would join up with his current national team manager, Louis van Gaal. However, interest is likely to be high in Blind, and Liverpool could yet turn their attentions to the Dutchman.