Thursday, August 04, 2011

Liverpool Look To Barca Winger As Answer To Right Midfield Problem

Liverpool is to renew their interest in Barcelona winger Ibrahim Afellay as they look to add more width to the right flank.

Anfield boss Kenny Dalglish is looking to operate with two natural wide-men this season and sees it as the best way to provide service to the strike partnership of Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez.

Dalglish is eager to see more crosses delivered into the box to play to Carroll's strength in the air while Suraez's ability with the ball at his feet means he is also keen for his wingers to get in behind the opposition defence and cut the ball back in.

The £20m signing of Stewart Downing from Aston Villa, one of the most consistent crossers in the Premier League, has filled the vacancy on the left flank but the Scottish manager is keen to bolster his options on the right side.

Dirk Kuyt has been used as the first-choice right winger in recent seasons and has been one of Liverpool's most consistent performers in that time. However, according to Fanatix.com, Dalglish is looking for a player with more natural attributes befitting of a right-winger and is ready to make the tough call to replace Kuyt.

And it appears he has identified Holland international Afellay as the man to provide the ammunition from right midfield. Liverpool have been linked with the 25-year-old several times this summer and are ready to offer him an escape from his Nou Camp nightmare.

Afellay only arrived at Barcelona in January but has found his chances limited. Competition for places has proved tough for the former PSV man and Liverpool are hoping to tempt him with the promise of regular first-team action.

It had been rumoured that Barcelona only made the deal for Afellay, who only had six months remaining on his PSV contract, to make money on his future transfer away from the Catalans and help ease the debt problems.

If Liverpool offer the right amount, thought to be around £13m, then those rumours could prove to be true.

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