Liverpool’s reported interest in Alejandro Balde for January is certainly worth keeping an eye on — and after watching the Reds struggle for consistency at left-back, it is not difficult to understand why Andoni Iraola could be tempted.
According to reports, Liverpool are monitoring the Barcelona defender ahead of the January transfer window, with Spanish outlet Sport claiming that Balde would be an interesting option for the Reds if favourable terms can be reached.
The 22-year-old has surprisingly found himself out of favour at Barcelona and has not played a single minute in La Liga or the Champions League this season.
That has opened the door to speculation about a move.
And Liverpool could be one of the clubs ready to take advantage.
Balde’s situation is certainly interesting
Balde is hardly an unknown quantity.
He has already established himself at Barcelona and has the athleticism, pace and attacking qualities you would expect from a modern full-back.
The problem is that his current situation at Barcelona means Liverpool would have to look beyond simply asking why he isn’t playing.
There is always a reason when a player who was previously an important part of a huge club suddenly drops down the pecking order.
But that does not necessarily mean the player has lost his quality.
Liverpool have already seen something similar with Ronald Araujo.
The Uruguayan defender arrived from Barcelona after falling down the pecking order, yet he has quickly shown why Liverpool were willing to take a chance on him.
Araujo’s impressive start could potentially make Liverpool even more comfortable dealing with Barcelona again.
And this is where Balde becomes particularly interesting
Liverpool don’t necessarily need another left-back simply for the sake of adding another body.
What they need is competition.
Milos Kerkez arrived with a big reputation and there have been flashes of the player Liverpool thought they were signing, but his start to life at Anfield has not been completely convincing.
Kostas Tsimikas provides experience and knows the club inside out, but Liverpool will still want to know whether he can genuinely push for a regular starting place.
Balde would change that dynamic.
He would arrive with something to prove.
He would have the opportunity to resurrect his career at one of Europe’s biggest clubs while Liverpool would be getting a player desperate to show Barcelona exactly what they are missing.
That could be a very useful combination.
Iraola could be the key
There is another reason why this particular rumour makes sense.
Iraola knows exactly what he wants from his full-backs.
They have to contribute going forward, provide width, support attacks and still be capable of recovering quickly when possession is lost.
Balde’s pace would certainly suit that approach.
He is also young enough to develop further rather than being viewed as simply a short-term solution.
And that is important.
Liverpool have already spent huge money rebuilding the squad, but the club cannot keep throwing enormous fees at every problem.
A player like Balde — if the reported valuation is anywhere near the figures being mentioned — could represent a very different type of opportunity.
Liverpool shouldn’t rush into it
There is, however, an obvious warning.
Liverpool should not sign Balde simply because he is available.
If he has genuinely fallen behind other options at Barcelona, the club needs to establish exactly why.
They would also need to make sure his lack of football has not affected his fitness, confidence or match sharpness.
January transfers can be difficult enough without bringing in a player who has barely played for several months.
But if Liverpool’s recruitment team are satisfied that Balde can rediscover his best form, this could become a very interesting opportunity.
It could be exactly what Liverpool need
Liverpool don’t need to panic after a difficult start to the Premier League campaign.
But they do need to identify where the squad can improve.
And left-back is beginning to look like one of those areas.
A January move for Balde would give Iraola another athletic, attack-minded option and create genuine competition for the position.
More importantly, it would give Liverpool another young player with something to prove.
The Reds have already seen what can happen when a Barcelona player arrives at Anfield with a point to prove.
If Balde can follow the same path as Araujo, Liverpool may have another very interesting opportunity on their hands.
For now, it is only a reported interest.
But with Balde struggling for minutes at Barcelona and Liverpool seemingly monitoring his situation, this is one January transfer story I would be keeping a very close eye on.
Jamie (The Kopite View)
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