Liverpool’s 32 Best Signings Under Brendan Rodgers
By Tom Bogert
27. Javi Manquillo/loan/Atletico Madrid/Aug 2014
Manquillo arrived in Liverpool the same week that Alberto Moreno did and for a (brief) time Liverpool thought they had the Spanish fullback tandem of the future. Both players represented Spain at the youth and U21 levels, it was thought they’d continue their development and represent Spain together one day.
Both Liverpool careers started well: Moreno scored against Tottenham and Manquillo was actually playing.
Then it went downhill, Manquillo’s for the worse. He started playing poorly and questions arose about why he was even brought in. He wasn’t anywhere near good enough for the Atleti team at that stage of his career and they were all too friendly in allowing him leave on a two year loan deal with the idea of a permanent deal to follow.
Manquillo stopped even making the bench let alone starting towards the end of his season on Merseyside. He wasn’t suited for a wing back role as his attacking ability is insipid which acts as another reason his acquisition was a head scratcher with Rodgers amorous affection of fullbacks who get forward. The picture correctly delineates his fear of going forward.
He was an unused substitute more times in his Liverpool career than appearances made. He only featured 19 times. His loan was slashed after a season and he currently plays for Marseille on loan.
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