:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/36570342/465220335.0.jpg)
He's a 20-year-old right back many Spanish football experts consider the future at the position. He's also played all of six matches in La Liga so far, meaning it's really just the Spanish football experts who have seen his regular appearances at the youth levels internationally who have had much of a chance to judge the player, who for his part is excited to have today completed his Liverpool move.
"When they tell you Liverpool want to sign you, you are going to be absolutely amazed and you don't think of anything else other than going straight there," he said following his official unveiling as Liverpool's newest player. "The club is one of the biggest in Europe, no English club has won more European Cups. It has a superb history and is a team nowadays any player would want to be part of."
Though few know all that much about him, what is known is he's a player with decent pace and, in line with the Spanish football cliches, that he's strong both technically and tactically for his age. He started out in Real Madrid's academy but left for their rivals when his twin brother was cut seven years ago. He's also very raw, meaning fans expecting him to slot into the starting elven may be disappointed.
Despite Glen Johnson's poor form in pre-season as he looks to rebound from an underwhelming season, Manquillo likely arrives as the reserve option. Expecting more straight away from a 20-year-old who has barely played for his last club wouldn't be realistic, and there seems a good chance he was brought in this summer with an eye to having him replace Johnson next year.
"I'm coming here to earn my place in the side, and above all, like any footballer to keep on improving as much as I can in training and compete to the very best of my ability," he said. "The immediate objective is to do the best I possibly can here. I've come here to try and secure a place for myself in the side and, if possible, to stay here for many more years in the future."
The long-term goal will certainly be for him to lock down the starting role on the right, and the two-year loan with a purchase option will ensure he has the chance to impress and that Liverpool have a vested interest in his development. A buyback clause, though, could still mean an eventual return to Atletico—though Manquillo would have to agree to it even were the clause triggered.
Fans could get their first glimpse of Liverpool's newest signing on Sunday when the club take on Borussia Dortmund in their final pre-season match.
