27 Feb 2018 10:50:17
Reading between the lines, Klopp has basically says Gomez will play centre back next year. Has anyone else noticed the lack of good right backs though?

Chelsea use Moses, Juventus use Lichsteiner, Roma use Florezi, United use Valencia, Liverpool use Gomez, Bayern use Kimmich, Barcelona use Sergi, PSG use Meunier etc. All of those players are naturally Wingers, midfielders or centre backs.

Aside from Walker, Hysaj, Carvajal, Aurier, Bellerin, Juanfran, Pisczek, Pereira and Alves most other top sides are playing someone out of position to make do. The shortage of quality right backs is starting because none if the options i just listed are at the same level as the likes of Lahm, Cafu, Neville or Zanetti were at. The best right back in the world right now is Azpilicueta, and he's been converted to a centre back!

The problem is, the lack of quality puts these right backs in high demand, hence why Walker cost £50m!

If we move Gomez to centre back, i think we should just try and sign Ola Aina from Chelsea. He's a very good young player who is playing regular senior football and starring, and could solve a problem position for a decade. He wouldn't be the first of their star young players to leave to come to Anfield (Sturridge, Brewster, Solanke etc) .


1.) 27 Feb 2018
27 Feb 2018 11:40:55
Such a shame Lahm retired at a younger age, was stoll the best RB in the world when he did so. Can't think of any quality RB's either, maybe Carvajal?


2.) 27 Feb 2018
27 Feb 2018 11:42:06
There is a huge lack of good FB's, period. Either they are athletes who are not good footballers in Walker, Aurier, Clyne etc or mids like Sergi, Valencia, Alexs Vidal etc. I agree that Azpi is the best RB around (to me, the best all round defender in the PL, hands down) and the fact that we are using a mid in TAA and a CB in Gomez at RB (both very solid btw) then yeah, there are no RB's out there, really.

As for Aina, I have not seen him play a lot so can't say how good he could be even tho he is part of the Nigerian setup for the WC and was highly thought of at Chelsea.

{Ed025's Note - how about seamus coleman?


3.) 27 Feb 2018
27 Feb 2018 11:42:14
Pretty sure we already have a very good young right back in TAA.


4.) 27 Feb 2018
27 Feb 2018 12:05:52
Benjamin Henrichs, young right back at Bayer looks a good prospect.

Vrsaljko looks quite handy for Athletico.


5.) 27 Feb 2018
27 Feb 2018 11:53:31
Unless you don’t play a 4-4-2, your right back is always exposed at the back! Simple. Most of them have become wing backs. Ryan Sessegnon is an example. They just don’t care about defending these days. In fact the game has become offensive by nature!

The real question is about the system! Jose would want a defender first and then an offender in his RB while pep and Klopp would buy an offender first and then a defender with their choice.

Most of the players are mouled by the way a manager plays his style. A lot of old school full backs would struggle under Klopp!


6.) 27 Feb 2018
27 Feb 2018 12:18:08
I think it's less of a lack of quality fullbacks and more that football has moved to where it's trendy to have the "wing back" which is basically a failed winger who's half decent in the tackle.


7.) 27 Feb 2018
27 Feb 2018 12:19:52
I like the young kid at real madrid Achraf Hakimi.
Have not seen a lot of him but when he has played has looked very good i must admit.


8.) 27 Feb 2018
27 Feb 2018 12:43:32
Agree with 87 red and Baby D 👍.


9.) 27 Feb 2018
27 Feb 2018 12:50:05
good post, full back is the toughest position on the pitch, requires a lot of concentration and stamina.


10.) 27 Feb 2018
27 Feb 2018 12:53:33
Porto have two fantastic Full backs in Alex Telles, Ricardo Pereira if I remember correctly Klopp wanted Ricardo, both look like they will go onto have fantastic careers.


11.) 27 Feb 2018
27 Feb 2018 13:05:26
Aina has played virtually every game this season for Hull and been their best player by far. He is very quick and good in the final third, but aloud enough defensively that he can also play centre back. Very good player and only 21. Won literally everything there is to win at youth level alongside Dom Solanke. I'm sure Dom could put a good word in and convince him to jump ship. He's way too good for the Championship. I doubt Chelsea would want to sell but they are very respectful towards their players and don't block them from moving if that is what they want.


12.) 27 Feb 2018
27 Feb 2018 13:28:36
TAA will do me for another year, give him more first team experience at RB, Gomez at CB, after a season they'll be beasts and well experienced, then move TAA upto the midfield and get a RB in summer of 19.


13.) 27 Feb 2018
27 Feb 2018 14:05:23
I'd be happy to do that too Salah. Klopp might want to start using Trent further forward though or just not think he's ready to play every week (he's only 19 still), in which case my vote for a new right back goes to Aina! Aina is 21 a ready physically to play every game. He's a huge talent. I expect he's in Chelsea's plans though long term, unfortunately for anyone who did want to buy him. I doubt Liverpool are even interested. He's just one who stands out to me as a bright young talent. Him and Jonjoe Kenny, who is a no go for obvious reasons.


14.) 27 Feb 2018
27 Feb 2018 14:28:47
Everytime I've watched Kimmich I've been somewhat impressed. Surprised he isn't rated a little more by people.


15.) 27 Feb 2018
27 Feb 2018 15:05:41
It's one of them isn't it MK mate, it all goes on what Klopps plans are I suppose. I forget at times exactly how young TAA is, maybe he should be rotated with a top RB this coming year? or move forward or even he could rotate both positions if absolutely needed. I genuinely believe he'll be a beast in the midfield, I'm talking next kind of Gerrard level but as you say he's only 19, I'm thinking about how he can be without thinking about these things taking time. Good future for him either way though, future captain in my opinion.

I completely agree about Aina, he is the next big thing, problem is getting him, unfortunately I don't think we or any other team would stand a chance right now. They'll want to keep hold of him, or one would've thought atleast. I must admit I've only seen him a handful of times but from what I have seen, he's exceptional and I can't say that about many these days.


16.) 27 Feb 2018
27 Feb 2018 15:14:19
I rate him Jack. I think he could be the best right back in the world one day, which is even more impressive considering he is actually an even better centre midfielder.


17.) 27 Feb 2018
27 Feb 2018 15:38:11
I can see Arnold as a future captain too! Unless Bobby dazzler gets it first!


18.) 27 Feb 2018
27 Feb 2018 15:40:08
We have 2/ 3 rbs. Taa 1st choice Clyne back up and gomez on emergency. No need to go and spend money there. Worry about the positions we are lacking rather than having pointless debates over positions we have plenty of cover for.