Aly Cissokho Loan to Liverpool Rumored to Be Set for This Week

This is not a new conversation. It hasn't been new for the past six seasons. Liverpool need to improve their depth and quality at the left-back position. They've needed to since John Arne Riise started to struggle for form consistently, they've needed to since Fabio Aurelio had his groin torn by a strong gust of wind, since Paul Konchesky emerged from his mother's womb, since Aurelio had his Achille's snapped by a sideways glance, and since Jose Enrique fell of a cliff from form that saw him go from legitimate Spanish National Team contender to complete and utter liability. That form improved over the spring of 2012, but with Jack Robinson likely set for loan and starting right-back Glen Johnson as the backup, Liverpool again need to improve their depth and quality at the left-back position.

So, Aly Cissokho on loan, then?

That's the rumor coming out of Spain, where the talk is that Liverpool will be bringing the 25 year old over from Valencia on loan with an option to buy. This isn't the first time Cissokho has been strongly linked with a move to Merseyside; talks of a deal have been popping up as far back as 2010 or 2011 (and likely further), partly generated by the player's reported interest in the club rather than something actually happening. This could be yet another case of that, but the sheer range of outlets--including some citing quotes from Valencia President Amadeo Salvo Lillo confirming the deal--running with the story seem to indicate that it's not solely down to the player's interest.

Whether or not this is an actual solution remains to be seen, as sentiment toward Cissokho's quality seems mixed. He has good pace and raw skill, but not necessarily decision-making or execution to be effective in a possession-based system, and at best he'd appear to be a stop-gap until Jack Robinson is ready to challenge Enrique for minutes in the first team. Maybe Cissokho provides that challenge unless Enrique has another dip in form or is injured, but failing that the only other option would appear to be the one Brendan Rodgers used last season--move Glen Johnson to the left and slot Martin Kelly (assuming a return to match fitness) or Andre Wisdom (assuming he doesn't go on loan) in on the right.

Which sort of leaves Liverpool where they started, relying on your first-choice right-back to slot in at left-back and hope your inexperienced/unfit right-back cover can do the job until someone else gets better or healthier or maybe just use a midfielder there too.

So...here's a video!

Video by LFCTikiTaka