Liverpool were rumoured to be interested in various left-backs during the period when Andy Robertson and Kostas Tsimikas were out injured in quick succession last year. As a result, Joe Gomez, who has also returned to the England squad, has filled the void admirably, despite being in a position that is not his primary role.
Meanwhile, the Scottish captain is also growing older at 30, and the Greek defender’s lacklustre performances since his return have meant that interest in the left-back position has not disappeared. One such target is 22-year-old defender Rayan Aït-Nouri of Wolverhampton Wanderers.
According to The Mirror, Liverpool are not the only club interested in the French-born Algerian defender, with Premier League title contenders Manchester City and Arsenal also interested in the player.
This season, he is being used more in attacking positions, such as midfielder, than at side-back. He continues to take on new challenges in his career. He has made over 100 appearances in the domestic league and has gained solid experience in the top flight.
Wolverhampton are not in contention for the top flight and have never competed in European competitions. Nevertheless, they have a high level of technique that allows them to exchange intense pressure and could play to their strengths at clubs where they can dominate the ball more.
Manchester City have Josko Gvardiol and Nathan Ake filling in at left-back, which may not be a priority position for reinforcements, but both are defensive-minded side-backs whose main job is centre-back, and it would not be surprising if they wanted to shift to attacking positions.
Arsenal have listed Oleksandr Zinchenko, who has not made the same impact as his predecessors, and Takehiro Tomiyasu, who has not broken his injury habit, as replacements at left-back, but with Julien Timber back in the squad, there is less urgency.
Liverpool also do not have a high priority at left-back, but can the Algerian defender make the step up…?