Liverpool left-wing search prompts potential PSG raid

It seems odd to constantly harp on about Liverpool’s left-side needing strengthening, especially after their 3-0 win at Old Trafford made it 26 points gained from their last available 30, but stories linking numerous widemen with a move to Anfield this summer refuse to go away nonetheless.

The Reds are into 10/3 to win the Premier League for the first time come May, which looks a very nice price considering their blistering form of late.

Their squad is far from complete though, and boss Brendan Rodgers gave a nod to this truism when showing his transfer hand a couple of times during January, with aborted moves for Mohamed Salah – who’s currently warming Chelsea’s bench – and Dnipro’s Yevhen Konoplyanka.

Merseyside has seen its fair share of militant left-wingers in recent decades, and union leaders such as Len McCluskey continue to keep the scouse accent synonymous with ‘The Struggle’ to this day.

However, as far as football is concerned Liverpool have (arguably) not produced a genuine talent in the position since Steve McManaman’s emergence over 20 years ago.

Raheem Sterling has been brilliant on the left side this term, helping himself to six Premier League goals and three assists already, but the 19-year-old suffered from being overused in Rodgers’ first campaign.

Cover for the right-footed former QPR youth will be sought, and the rumour currently doing the rounds regarding a summer switch to Anfield has Jeremy Menez – of French nouveau riche outfit Paris Saint-Germain – as its subject.

The 24-cap Les Bleus man – who has had spells with Monaco and Roma in the past – can’t get a look in under PSG coach Laurent Blanc, who only took over at Parc des Princes last June.

Menez will be available on a free transfer this summer if, as expected, he fails to agree a new deal with his current employers.

This detail will be appeal to the Reds, who are reportedly prepared to hand Rodgers a £60m transfer kitty this summer, but are also targeting a new left-back and at least one central midfielder.

Having made 39 appearances in European competition during his career, scoring nine times in the process, Menez’s experience could be vital to Liverpool when they rejoin the continental elite in 2014/15 Champions League.

The 26-year-old scored seven Ligue 1 goals and laid on a further 12 for teammates during PSG’s 2011/12 campaign, before following up those career-high tallies with five strikes and seven assists in France’s top flight last season.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.

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