Liverpool renews interest in Taye Taiwo
By Mark Ogagan reportting from Angola

Friday, January 22, 2010

Liverpool manager, Rafa Benitez, is reportedly in the French press to be stepping up his pursuit of Super Eagles Olympique de Marseille’s powerful left-back Taye Taiwo after Inter Milan showed an interest.

Ideally, Liverpool would prefer to wait until the summer to sign the powerful Nigerian but with Jose Mourinho ready to pounce, it would seem a deal will be pushed through as soon as Ryan Babel departs from Anfield.

Taiwo issued a ‘come and get me’ plea to the Premier League big four at the end of last season which alerted Liverpool who is in the hunt to add a left-sided defender to the squad following the departure of the disappointing Andrea Dossena.


The Reds have had to rely heavily on Argentine youngster Emiliano Insua but ideally Benitez would prefer to introduce him gradually into the side. If Taiwo can be signed, the Nigerian and currently injured right-back Glen Johnson would provide Liverpool with two of the most attacking full-backs in the Premier League.

The player is confident in his ability which was perfectly illustrated by his comments to France-Football, “If I was to depart, then I would not join a small club. It will be Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool or Arsenal.”


The defender wants to test his ability to play against the very best in the Premier League as Taiwo’s comments illustrate, “I am not scared by the level in England. I believe I have the right level to defend against Wayne Rooney.

The 24-year-old Nigerian international has been linked to numerous Premier League clubs in the past year particularly Tottenham and Man City. However, it would seem that Liverpool are now competing with Italian league leaders Inter for the marauding left-back. The player’s agent Franco Jovino has suggested that a move is more likely in the summer than in January but with Marseille 12 points behind league leaders Bordeaux, his club may decide to cash in now.


He said: “He is interesting many clubs but for now nothing is concrete, particularly as regards Inter and the Italian clubs in general.

Nigerian star impressing in Angola “The player is especially popular in the Premier League. The possibility of moving in January? It’s complicated. More likely in June.”


Liverpool is the club that would ideally suit the Nigerian from the current big four. Gael Clichy, Patrice Evra and Ashley Cole are all regulars in their respective teams and would take some shifting. Fabio Aurelio is arguably Liverpool’s current first choice left-back although he had been used in midfield of late. Young Argentine Emiliano Insua has shown potential but is also liable to make mistakes and has come in for recent criticism. Alternatively Taiwo would fit perfectly into Liverpool’s style of play and has far more experience.

The left-back has played in France for the last six seasons and has made 149 league appearances for the club (11 goals).


Marseille finished 16th in the 2007/08 season which led to speculation concerning a number of their players but they managed to retain the Nigerian and it has paid off. The club came 2nd last season just three points behind champions Bordeaux with Taiwo playing in 35 of the team’s 38 league games (34 starts). However, with the French title looking out of the club’s reach, the player is likely to leave.

Marseille Star on the Move?Not only is Taiwo renowned for his no-nonsense defending but also his attacking forays and powerful shooting ability. His long range efforts have been clocked at over 80mph so expect him to fight with Steven Gerrard to take charge of free-kicks if he does sign for Liverpool.


Taiwo was signed by Marseille to replace legendary French full-back Bixente Lizarazu and has become a cult figure for the club. He was part of the Nigerian side that lost to Argentina in the final of the 2005 World Youth Championships. In fact, he was voted 3rd best player in the tournament behind Lionel Messi and Obi Mikel.

The Nigerian international is a regular in his senior national side scoring seven goals. He has played in three African Cup of Nations tournaments and is currently in Angola as the Super Eagles has advanced through the group stage which will make negotiations difficult.

So, would you like Liverpool to bring the 2006 African Young Player of the Year to the Premier League? Do you think the club is already strong in that position? Let’s hear your views.

good move for Taiwo if it sails through