{"id":1373012,"date":"2025-01-23T16:58:36","date_gmt":"2025-01-23T16:58:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/?p=1373012"},"modified":"2025-05-21T08:16:19","modified_gmt":"2025-05-21T07:16:19","slug":"liverpool-potential-left-sided-defenders-to-win-title","status":"publish","type":"features","link":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/liverpool-potential-left-sided-defenders-to-win-title\/","title":{"rendered":"Left-sided defensive signings who could ‘win Liverpool the Premier League’"},"content":{"rendered":"

Liverpool<\/a> are currently six points clear at the top of the Premier League<\/a> table, with a game in hand on their title rivals<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Reds are heavy favourites to win the Premier League title, and it will be a surprise if they don’t lift the trophy come the end of the season. Of course, nothing is guaranteed and Liverpool’s squad isn’t perfect.<\/p>\n

The biggest weakness for Arne Slot to deal with right now is a lack of strength at left-back. For years, Liverpool had the best full-back partnership in the Premier League and arguably Europe with Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andrew Robertson.<\/p>\n

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While Alexander-Arnold continues to thrive, Robertson isn’t able to match the quality of his teammate. And his backup, Kostas Tsimikas also doesn’t bring the level Liverpool require at left-back. As a result, Liverpool have been linked with a left-back in the January transfer window. Antonee Robinson is the name most-linked, after his fine start to the Premier League season for Fulham<\/a>.<\/p>\n

But former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher believes the Reds could do with a more versatile left-footed defender.<\/p>\n

“Liverpool haven\u2019t got a player that every other club has. It\u2019s a left-sided defender who can play centre-back or left-back,” he said on the Stick to Football<\/a> podcast recently.<\/p>\n

“Arsenal have (Riccardo) Calafiori, even (Manchester) United have (Lisandro) Martinez, Chelsea have got (Levi) Colwill, (Manchester) City have got Nathan Ake and (Josko Gvardiol) Gvardiol. Even Tottenham have (Micky) Van de Ven who can do a little bit at left-back.<\/p>\n

“I\u2019ve said this for a long time, Liverpool need a left-sided defender who can do a little bit of both \u2013 stature, presence and a bit more power.<\/p>\n

“If Liverpool sign that player in January \u2013 I haven\u2019t got any names and nothing\u2019s been linked \u2013 but I think if Liverpool did that, I\u2019d be certain that they\u2019d win the league.”<\/p>\n

So, who could that be? We looked across Europe’s top seven leagues for potential names.<\/p>\n

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     <\/p>\n

    Piero Hincapie<\/h2>\n

    Piero Hincapie has been an integral part of Bayer Leverkusen’s defence under Xabi Alonso. The Ecuadorian defender mostly plays as centre-back in a back three, on the left side. But, when Leverkusen do play a back four, Hincapie has switched to the left.<\/p>\n

    Across all competitions this season, Hincapie has started six games at left-back, including Leverkusen’s past two in the Champions League. It’s a position he also occupies for Ecuador at times, including the entirety of their Copa America 2024 campaign.<\/p>\n

    Now, his creative numbers are low in the Bundesliga and Champions League this season, at 0.35 chances created per 90 minutes. But obviously that’s because he has mostly been a centre-back. And on his flank is Alejandro Grimaldo, who is very attack-minded.<\/p>\n

    Defensively, Hincapie has averaged 1.73 tackles per 90 in the Bundesliga and Champions League, alongside 1.92 possessions won in the defensive third and 2.42 clearances. He’s also very reliable on the ball, completing 90.48% of his passes while averaging 86.97 touches per 90. That kind of passing would be vital for Liverpool who look to control matches.<\/p>\n

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    Yarek Gasiorowski<\/h2>\n

    Another centre-back with left-back experience is Valencia’s Yarek Gasiorowski. The Spanish defender came through the academy at Valencia and has seen regular playing time in recent weeks — at least until Carlos Corberan replaced Ruben Baraja.<\/p>\n

    Where Gasiorowski differs from Hincapie, though, is that he plays centre-back in a back four. And his one left-back start in the league this season came against Real Madrid. So he was very much a centre-back being pushed out wide to help double up on Rodrygo.<\/p>\n

    As a result, Gasiorowski’s creation numbers are low. But he’s been very busy defensively, with 2.07 tackles per 90 in La Liga and 4.58 clearances. He’s also won 1.96 possessions in the defensive third and 2.62 aerial duels, standing at 6’3″.<\/p>\n

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    Alec van Hoorenbeeck<\/h2>\n

    Alec van Hoorenbeeck is an interesting one. From a transfer perspective, he has 18 months left on his current deal with Twente, but does have an option to extend by one year.<\/p>\n

    He also has played the majority of his minutes at centre-back, with just a handful on the left for Twente. Van Hoorenbeeck did have more experience at left-back for KV Melchen before joining Twente initially on loan last season, though.<\/p>\n

    The Belgian’s playing times hasn’t been too great in the Eredivisie this season, with just 594 minutes across 16 appearances. But in that time, Van Hoorenbeeck has averaged 6.36 clearances per 90 and 2.27 possessions won in the defensive third. He’s also completed 90.91% of his passes, averaging an impressive 93.79 touches per 90.<\/p>\n

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    David Hancko<\/h2>\n

    David Hancko’s a name that has been linked with a Premier League move this month. Liverpool aren’t really mentioned in the conversations, but maybe they should enter the race.<\/p>\n

    Of course, Hancko has history with Slot, having played for the Dutchman at Feyenoord — where the defender remains. Again most of his playing time for Feyenoord comes at centre-back, but there are a smattering of appearances at left-backs. And he almost exclusively plays on the left for Slovakia.<\/p>\n

    Hancko has been reliable on the ball for Feyenoord this season, completing 89.45% of his passes in the Eredivisie and Champions League. He’s also averaged 90.56 touches per 90 and 68.52 passes completed. Defensively, Hancko is good at pushing up, with 2.2 possessions won in the middle third per 90, alongside 1.88 possessions won in the defensive third.<\/p>\n

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    Read more:<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n