You can never have enough full backs, so it seems, as Liverpool are trying and move ahead and complete a loan deal for Martin Montoya of Barcelona, adding yet another right back to their squad, hoping that the Spanish youngster might become a permanent solution at the position.
Is Glen Johnson leaving? No, but there’s a point in time where his defensive frailties become too much to absorb. Martin Kelly isn’t coming back at the pace Rodgers was hoping to see, with injuries still hurting his return, while Johnson remains the same player he always was – sometimes exciting to watch, but too many moments of lack of focus that become costly mistakes.
Montoya, who has already played six times for Barcelona this season at the right back position, provides a much more reliable defensive presence than Johnson or Dani Alves, although without the attacking flair and confidence, preferring to do the more responsible job of hanging back. It might not completely fit the Barcelona system which calls for as many players as possible to attack at all time, but it suits Liverpool, who have problems on the left side as well (where Montoya can also play), just fine.
The 22 year old, valued at £8 million, might not be so easy to sign, as Barcelona are suffering from a few injuries to defensive players as well. However, it seems that Ian Ayre, or at least according to reports in England, is travelling to Spain in order to complete the negotiations between the clubs, giving Liverpool the opportunity to bring Montoya out on loan for the rest of the season from January, and have the option to sign him once the season is over.
He has yet to appear for the Spanish national side, but Montoya has played for The U-21 team 22 times, and was also part of the Olympic squad in London 2012.