According to a recent report from The Newcastle Chronicle, Newcastle manager Rafa Benitez is seeking to bring a left back to St James’ Park during the January window. The Spaniard is currently utilising Paul Dummett in that position such has been the defender’s solid and accomplished displays down the left-hand-side, although his injuries in recent times have seen Kenedy deputise at left back.

And reports suggest that manager Benitez is seeking a more ‘offensive-minded left-back’ in the New Year in a bid to try and take his team forward in 2019, and a swoop on Liverpool for outcast Alberto Moreno in January would surely make him very happy indeed.

The Breakdown

Ultimately, while there is plenty of quality players in Benitez’s Newcastle squad, it’s arguable that, alongside the striking ranks, the full back department is the one that lacks in the most quality and depth.

Both Dummett and DeAndre Yedlin are fine defenders and have done a decent job whenever called upon by Benitez over the years, but they aren’t the dynamic and attack-minded full backs needed in the modern game - being able to get forward and launch attacks is becoming more of a requirement in a modern-day full back.

And that is why a move for Liverpool’s Moreno, valued at £8.1 million by Transfermarkt, is a move owner Mike Ashley must sanction in the January window, as he is a full back that is very strong in the attacking third of the pitch.

The Spain international may well have struggled for regular game time at Anfield this season (albeit very few would get ahead of Andrew Robertson at present), but the left back has shown glimpses of attacking promise throughout his time at Liverpool, laying on 11 assists in 140 appearances for Jurgen Klopp’s team.

Yes, there is little doubting that there are question marks about Moreno’s defensive capabilities - James Milner, a midfielder by trade, was drafted in by Klopp in the 2016/17 season such was Moreno’s shocking start to the campaign - but he is certainly much more dynamic and forward-thinking than Dummett, even if not any better defensively.

And if Benitez is eyeing up that more attack-minded full back in the New Year, he could do a lot worse than take a look at Liverpool’s Moreno, whose future at Anfield is all but over given Robertson’s meteoric rise, alongside his expiring contract at the end of the current season.

And with it clear that Ashley and the club’s hierarchy need to invest to help take this Newcastle team forward in the future, the Magpies owner simply must swoop for the Liverpool defender, in a move which would make manager Benitez very happy indeed.

Newcastle and Liverpool fans… what do you think? Let us know!