Liverpool should look at Liberato Cacace.
The next Andy Robertson is a 19-year-old and plays in New Zealand for the Wellington Phoenix. Liverpool should be seriously interested in him.
Liberato Cacace is young but has already notched up 49 top flight appearances for the Nix in a league that doesn’t hand out games to youngsters very easily.
He made his breakthrough three years ago but played 26 times during 2018/2019 and has continued his rapid rise under current head coach Ufuk Talay.
The Wellington native has had the fortune of playing alongside former Newcastle United star Steven Taylor, who thinks his defensive partner has everything it takes to make it in the Premier League.
"“What a player we’ve got and what a future he’ll have in the game,” said Taylor. “He’s been outstanding for us. As a left-back, what he does on the ball, he’s been creating opportunities and defending wise he’s very strong and athletic.”"
Sounds like an Andy Robertson type of defender doesn’t it?
Liberato Cacace likes to attack, too. The Wellington Phoenix like to dominate possession and hit their full-backs on the overlap, which has resulted in the starlet scoring three goals and grabbing three assists for the Kiwi side.
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"That would be good news for any settling in period at Liverpool. Talay and Jurgen Klopp share a similar outlook in how the game should be played, which would help Cacace hit the ground running."
Incidentally, running is what the New Zealand international is good at – which ticks another box for anyone who wants to play under Klopp. Taylor, his captain at Wellington, feels that his physical attributes mark him out as an excellent prospect.
"“His confidence is huge, in a game he grows as the game goes on. He just gets stronger. A lot of people get tired, but he’s got that physical aspect about him. Nothing phases him.”"
And when asked about his talent and potential compared to other youngsters around Premier League level, the former Newcastle defender was adamant his team-mate has got what it takes.
"“He’s got the ability there for him, it’s just now someone taking a chance on him. There’s no reason why he can’t (play in the top flight). I’ve played with some left-backs in my time, and there’s no reason he can’t go and fulfil that.”"
But we know that Klopp doesn’t just sign good footballers, they have to be good people as well. Taylor doesn’t think that’ll be an issue with Liberato Cacace.
"“He’s a fantastic player and a great lad to have around,” added Taylor. “He’s got the ability there for him, it’s just now someone taking a chance on him.”"
Left-back is a bit of a problem area for Liverpool, and none of the Academy graduates look likely to be able to step up in the role of understudy to Robertson. Any deal for Cacace would be cheap – Wellington sold Sarpreet Sigh to Bayern Munich for £585,000 – and as such would be extremely low risk and would probably cost around that.
But the raw attributes are there. All the Reds need to do is take a punt on someone from an unfancied league and set him to work in becoming the new Andy Robertson.