Liverpool urged to sign Barcelona defender Alejandro Balde

Former Liverpool star turned pundit Danny Murphy has urged his old club to sign Barcelona defender Alejandro Balde.

Following Andrew Roberton’s departure last summer, the Reds currently have Milos Kerkez and Kostas Tsimikas as specialist left-back options.

However, Kerkez has found it difficult to showcase his best at Anfield since joining from AFC Bournemouth. In 13 appearances across all competitions, he has failed to register a goal contribution thus far this season and has kept just a solitary clean sheet.

On the other hand, Tsimikas has been mainly featuring as a rotational option under Andoni Iraola and has entered the final few months of his current contract.

Now, during a recent interview, Murphy says (via Metro) that Liverpool are expected to buy a new left-back next year and Balde could be a great option as he is a ‘super talent’ and also has the experience of playing for an elite club.

Murphy said:

“I think Liverpool will be looking for a left-back. I think Balde could be great for Liverpool because he’s a super talent and he’s also got that experience of being at a huge football club with that expectation. Balde’s a really good player. There’s lots of good players out there and Liverpool will be scouring the world.”

Balde was heavily linked with a move away last summer but ultimately decided to stay at his boyhood club. However, he has struggled to break into Hansi Flick’s starting line-up this season, failing to start a game thus far.

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Therefore, Barcelona might be open to cashing in on him next year. He has entered the final two years of his current contract and is valued at around £33m by Transfermarkt. So, the Blaugrana are in a strong position to demand a big fee if they let him leave.

The 23-year-old is an attack-minded left-back but is also comfortable in the LWB position. He is quick, technically sound, can dribble past opposition defenders in tight areas and is efficient in delivering excellent crosses from the flanks.

Moreover, he is solid in defensive contributions. Balde is a talented player but has struggled with fitness problems in recent years; as a result, his development has been halted.

Still, Balde possesses high potential and has got plenty of time on his side to turn the situation around. A change of environment might even help him achieve that.

So, Balde might be a shrewd acquisition for Liverpool with a view to the long-term future should they purchase him in January or next summer.