By Mihail. Over the past five years or more Liverpool have tried a number of players at left back. Paul Konchesky was the biggest disappointment. Fabio Aurelio has probably been the most technically and mentally adept, but his almost-permanent spot on the treatment table has robbed the club of a quality left back just when it has mattered. When fit, he’s been the best.

Andrea Dossena arrived with a decent pedigree, having been impressive for Udinese. Yet he only produced the odd glimpse of that quality in a red shirt. Meanwhile, Insua started brightly, but lost his confidence.

They’ve tried a number of left-footed wingers, too, and they have fared even worse. Albert Riera might have made it, but his form shone for four or five months before he faded away and went on a media crusade against his coach. Before him Mark Gonzales gave it a go. For all his speed and trickery he never had consistent success at getting past defenders and putting quality balls into the box. Sebastian Leto never played for the first team due to work permit problems. So we have to go way back and look at Harry Kewell – one of the most gifted players to play in England over the past 15 years, but arguably even more injury prone than Aurelio. Had he ever fully recovered from his many injuries he could have proved just how good he was. Still – he got a Champions League winner’s medal, didn’t he?

After this summer’s transfer window, however, it seems that the club finally have two players who can fill these positions. Stuart Downing and Jose Enrique.

Playing Styles

Both players have the advantage of having played in England for a few years (in Downing’s case his entire career), so they shouldn’t have any problems acclimatising to the league. For the same reasons, we know quite a bit about their style of football.

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