Glen Johnson

[Sarb]

ITKs on Twitter during Summer

[Chazza]

Done deal then.

[Gibbo]

He isnt one of the best right-backs in Europe

He is, He's criminally underrated by many because of this media pushed bollocks that he's poor at defending.

Up there with Zabaleta and Azpilucueta as the best in the league. IMO.

He's much, much more than a good athlete our Johno.

he certainly is not worth the 100k plus wages he is on

I do agree with this though. Mainly becasue no-one should be one that kind of wonga.

[MrMichael]

He is, He's criminally underrated by many because of this media pushed bollocks that he's poor at defending.

Up there with Zabaleta and Azpilucueta as the best in the league. IMO.

He's much, much more than a good athlete our Johno.

I'm not sure LFC fans don't overrate him as much as everyone else underrates him.

When Johnson is good he is very very good, but when he's bad he's horrid. Case in point, he was brilliant against Fulham and then shocking against Everton and Hull. I don't think he's poor at defending but I do think his concentration and consistency are issues that keep him from being top class.

[Gibbo]

Yeah, in fairness you have a point there.

I think theres a shortage of fullbacks in the world at the minute though, and when Johnson is on his game deffo think he's up there.

He's gor 3 goals in the past 3 games against West Ham, so im expecting a blinder from him Saturday

[MrMichael]

That would be very very nice, ****er's been in my fantasy team for weeks and's been getting me sweet FA in points. To be fair that's probably my fault for jinxing him but it didn't hurt Suarez so....

I do agree there aren't a ton of immediately obvious class full backs around with the obvious exception of Lahm (though someone will probably pop up with a bunch of names I've hardly heard of). What frustrates me with Johnson is that he can be that good, but I seem to spend too much time time telling my non-LFC mates how good he is before games, then sighing at his sloppyness as we actually watch the matches being played.

I can definitely understand why the club mightn't think they are getting the best deal with the wages he is on, though I'd rather we didn't have to put that position on the list too as finding someone else at his level or better will not be easy.

[Doc_Piptorious]

Don't get why people are saying there are no quality full backs out there.

Can think of a number of good young full backs who look to have the potential to become very good, and can think of a number of very good full backs in the 26 to 28 age bracket.


Should Johnson's contract negotiations become a problem for both club and player, then I would be happy if we had a punt on someone like Clyne at Southampton.

He looked good at Palace, then when he moved to Southampton he upped his game further and looks very much like improving further. Quick, strong, seems to read the game well, and tackles like a bear trap.

Looks good against physical attackers, looks good against attackers with pace, and looks very good against skillful attackers.

Would almost go as far as to say that, between him and Shaw, Southampton have the best pair of young (22 or younger) full backs in England, and certainly the best pair of young british full backs. Cannot think of any other club in England that has such a quality young pairing as their regular starters.



Other right backs I would be happy to see us sign, should Johnson move on or be moved on, would include the likes of Abate, Danilo, and Debuchy. Would also be happy if we took a gamble on someone like Montoya.


I'm not unhappy with Johnson and think he gets underrated at times, but there are full backs out there that look like they could match his level (maybe even better it), and as such I would hope that the club looks at some of them if Johnson is to leave.

[MrMichael]

Good point about Clyne, he's gone under the radar a bit with all the plaudits Shaw gets but I really like him too.

Debuchy though I'm not so sure about, he's looked much better this season but he was genuinely terrible in the second half of last year and seems to revert to hacking as soon as a winger goes past him once. Coutinho properly tore him apart in that game last year. Not seen enough of the others you mention.

I'd think you are probably right though, there are players out there of high enough quality that we could replace Johnson if necessary - though we'd still have to sign the right one, which isn't always as easy as it seems it should be.

[Shaggy]

Debuchy is ****e!

[Buzzo]

As stated he may have the odd bad game. But over the last few years Johnson has been easily one of our most consistent performers, and best right backs in Europe. Solid enough defensively and always offers something going forward.

[RichC]

It would be a risk losing Johnson, has his poor games but which player doesn't however when he's good he's certainly one of the best RBs in Europe.

[Sarb]

Defensively he is pretty poor quite regularly. He lost Matt Jarvis at the back post for their goal yesterday

He quite regularly (by an international player standard) has average games and can be pretty sloppy

Certainly isnt worth in excess of the 100k per week he earns. I have always preferred Kelly defensively

[RichC]

I think the defensive thing is a bit of a fallacy to he honest, he's one of the best RBs around but of course on occasion gets caught out, don't all defenders ?

We should be looking to build on the quality we've got in the side and GJ is certainly one of our most important players, look how we missed him when he was out for a while.

[elrichio86]

I think what he could do with is some decent competition for his place. He knows he's pretty much guaranteed his place, which isn't much incentive.

Kelly seems to be permanently injured, Toure is a CB who can cover (and isn't really suited to how Rodgers wants his fullbacks to play), and Flanagan is still young and only just breaking through (plus there's questions over his quality).

[RichC]

I'd like to see some decent cover come in but I think that's the case for both fullback positions.

The LB position is far more pressing though.