Left-back number 18 linked with Liverpool and he’s cheap option

Marcos Rojo, Ashley Cole, Fabio Coentrao, Caner Erkin, Ricardo Rodriguez and Alex Sandro. This is just a selection of the left-backs that have been linked with a summer move to Liverpool in recent weeks.

The latest addition to this shortlist is Dodo, not to be confused with the Italian fictional player that was previously part of Master League default team in the Pro Evolution Soccer series of computer games.

This Dodo, like Philippe Coutinho and Lucas Leiva, has been overlooked for the Brazilian World Cup squad, despite a productive season with his club side.

Dodo has been a regular fixture in the Roma side that has the best defensive record in Serie A with two fixtures remaining and he has indicated that he has only shown 60 per cent of the form that he is capable of.

This could be partly because he has been fairly injury prone up until now, suffering a serious knee problem when back in Brazil with Bahia and spending weeks on the sidelines at Roma with a thigh complaint.

The 22-year-old would fit Liverpool’s attacking philosophy as he is typically Brazilian in his instincts to get forward, showing characteristics more synonymous with a wing-back than a full-back.

However, he is strong in the tackle and capable in the air, meaning that with some guidance and maturity, he has the attributes to develop into a more rounded left-back.

In Liverpool’s interests too, he would be a far cheaper alternative to many of the other defenders from the opening paragraph that they have shown interest in.

With few players to choose from and the Champions League to look forward to next season, Brendan Rodgers needs numbers to flesh out his weak squad.

Newcastle’s Davide Santon has been involved in speculation to take him back to Italy with Roma and should this switch materialise, this could reduce the asking price for Dodo.

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