Saturday, April 16, 2011

Liverpool Revisit EPL Left-Back Target After Breakdown In Contract Talks

Contract negotiations between Aston Villa defender Stephen Warnock and manager Gerard Houllier have broken down according to the Daily Mail.

Warnock has been frozen out at Villa Park since the arrival of Houllier, and the 29-year-old left back looks set to leave in the summer.

The news will have alerted the attention of potential suitors Liverpool who were heavily linked with a move for the former Reds trainee in the January transfer window.

Kenny Dalglish has made a left sided defensive recruit the top priority this summer, and an Anfield return for the England fringe player could be on the cards.

Warnock's career started at Liverpool, where he progressed through the club's youth academy before making his debut in 2004 in a Champions League qualifier.

A move to Blackburn Rovers in January 2007 provided him with a platform to showcase his potential having endured a largely frustrating spell at Anfield playing second-fiddle to John Arne Riise.

His fine form for Rovers caught the attention of Villa who moved to bring Warnock to Villa Park in the summer of 2009, but he has recently fallen down the pecking order under Houllier.

Having deemed Paul Konchesky surplus to requirements for Liverpool, Dalglish opted instead to deploy an out of position Glen Johnson at left back for much of the season, until a recent injury curtailed his campaign.

With Fabio Aurelio also struggling for fitness, 'King' Kenny has had to utilize his squad by delving into the youth academy to promote some of Liverpool’s brightest young stars.

Signing Warnock would be perceived as a low risk move, with Liverpool fans knowing they are bringing in a reliable, model professional who will give his all for a club close to his roots.

But having been linked with a host of Europe’s finest up-and-coming stars such as Fabio Coentrao, Taye Taiwo and Jose Enrique, it is unclear whether Reds fans will be bowled over by this signing should it materialize in the summer.

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