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The right side of Liverpool's defense has been in flux for most of the season, with Javier Manquillo's early run of appearances halted by a combination of Brendan Rodgers' preference for Glen Johnson and a change in formation. After the manager decided to go with a three-man back line, Lazar Markovic, Raheem Sterling, Jordan Henderson, and Jordan Ibe featured as right wingback, and while Rodgers has now shifted back to a more traditional four-man defensive setup, he's opted to utilize Emre Can--who spent most of the season on as the right-sided center-back in the three--on the right.
It's all been a little confusing, and it's left the club without a clear option heading into next season. Can's future is in midfield and Manquillo's looks to be back at Atletico, and with Glen Johnson moving away in a few weeks' time, Liverpool will enter the summer in search of a first-choice fullback (or wingback, though the 3-4-3 increasingly looks to have been a temporary fix). Andre Wisdom will return from his West Brom loan, but a right-sided fullback has become an important part of the summer's transfer business.
So it's not entirely surprising to read that Liverpool are once again linked with Barcelona's Martin Montoya, who's had his name connected to a move to Merseyside for at least the past two seasons. Having made only eight appearances in the current campaign, the 24-year-old is reportedly looking for a new option, something his agent confirmed back in December when a move in January was possible.
Now there's apparently a deal in the works to bring him to Anfield, with reports indicating that a bid has already been submitted and the player keen on a switch. With playing time the priority, the move would make sense, as he would likely feature in the first-team plans immediately assuming Liverpool permanently switch to a back four. He would also transition more smoothly to a wingback role if needs dictated, leaving the attacking players in the squad to actually play in attacking positions.
That it would make sense doesn't mean it's happening, of course, but it's a link that probably isn't going away anytime soon. And it shouldn't, considering Liverpool's excellent history of signing players who make trick shots in YouTube videos.
