Bertrand would be perfect fit for Rodgers’ Liverpool team

With the news that Jose Enrique will be out until February following knee surgery, Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers is set to crank up his efforts to land out-of-favour Chelsea left-back Ryan Bertrand when the January transfer window opens.

Having successfully pilfered Daniel Sturridge from Stamford Bridge last January for what is looking like an absolute steal at around £12m, it’s no surprise to see the former Chelsea Academy coach go after one of his past protégés.

Despite making 39 first-team appearances last season, Jose Mourinho has found no place for left-back Bertrand in his plans since taking up the Chelsea reigns once again this summer.

In fact, the Portuguese boss has even taken to playing right-footed Spaniard Cesar Azpilicueta at left-back in Ashley Cole’s absence, rather than drafting in Bertrand, which is a real measure of Mourinho’s assessment of the Englishman’s talents.

This has naturally alerted Liverpool, who attempted to lure Bertrand away from west London in July, though the player was then adamant he wanted to fight for his place at Chelsea.

As a result, the Reds decided on making a season-long loan move for Valencia left-back Ally Cissokho, but a mixture of injury and below-par performances from the Frenchman have reportedly left Rodgers unconvinced about his long-term Liverpool prospects.

So now that first-choice left-back Enrique has been ruled out for an extensive period, the stage could be perfectly set for Bertrand to make an Anfield switch and follow in the footsteps of another former Chelsea full-back, Glen Johnson, who has flourished on Merseyside.

Still only 24, Bertrand is the type of technically gifted footballer which Rodgers seeks as he bids to build on Liverpool’s impressive start to the season and get the club back into the Champions League spots.

Achieving this feat is currently rated at 10/11, with Liverpool sitting second in the league and this could now be a very attractive prospect for Bertrand.

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

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