Rafa Benitez doesn’t do favourites.
But if he did, Alvaro Arbeloa would probably figure pretty high on that list.
Rafa may be the master of the rotation policy, but the Spanish full-back has been his most consistent selection for the last two years.
He managed 43 starts last season, despite injury and suspension. The previous season he started 38.
Which all makes the £17m bid for Glen Johnson so surprising.
Even if a large portion of that fee isn’t handed over because of the outstanding monies owed by Portsmouth from Peter Crouch’s transfer, it’s still a hefty outlay for a full-back. Especially one for whom defending is far from a strong point.
Johnson’s recent performance against Kazakhstan was typical.
Taken to the cleaners time and again by a lively left winger, the first after barely 15 seconds, he then produced a mesmerizing run to put a goal on a plate for Wayne Rooney.
So maybe Rafa doesn’t plan to use him as a right-back at all?
Genuine width down Liverpool’s right side has been a problem ever since the wildly successful experiment to use Steven Gerrard out there was abandoned after 25 goals.
Glen Johnson may offer that width and penetration, without sacrificing Alvaro Arbeloa at all.
But where does that leave Dirk Kuyt?
It promises to be an intriguing summer at Anfield.
But if he did, Alvaro Arbeloa would probably figure pretty high on that list.
Rafa may be the master of the rotation policy, but the Spanish full-back has been his most consistent selection for the last two years.
He managed 43 starts last season, despite injury and suspension. The previous season he started 38.
Which all makes the £17m bid for Glen Johnson so surprising.
Even if a large portion of that fee isn’t handed over because of the outstanding monies owed by Portsmouth from Peter Crouch’s transfer, it’s still a hefty outlay for a full-back. Especially one for whom defending is far from a strong point.
Johnson’s recent performance against Kazakhstan was typical.
Taken to the cleaners time and again by a lively left winger, the first after barely 15 seconds, he then produced a mesmerizing run to put a goal on a plate for Wayne Rooney.
So maybe Rafa doesn’t plan to use him as a right-back at all?
Genuine width down Liverpool’s right side has been a problem ever since the wildly successful experiment to use Steven Gerrard out there was abandoned after 25 goals.
Glen Johnson may offer that width and penetration, without sacrificing Alvaro Arbeloa at all.
But where does that leave Dirk Kuyt?
It promises to be an intriguing summer at Anfield.
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