Is Glen Johnson Liverpools missing jigsaw piece?

Writes, Carl Stevenson: Since the 2008/09 Premier League season has ended, there has been lots of speculation and gossip surrounding transfers, from footballing giants such as Real Madrid to Premier League new-boys Wolverhampton Wanderers. It was Madrid who set the world alight with the purchases of arguably two of the greatest footballers in the modern era - Kaka and Cristiano Ronaldo for a combined fee of around £137m. However, it was Liverpool who were involved in the first major signing of the season in the Premier League. On the 1st of July 2009, it was confirmed that England right-back Glen Johnson had signed for the Reds in a deal worth upto £18m.

In a world which is in a supposed economic crisis, and, news in June that Liverpool were in debts in excess of £400m, it was certainly a surprise for an LFC fan such as myself to see Liverpool had spent so much money on a full-back. Liverpool already have a very competent right-back in the Spaniard Alvaro Arbeloa - so I question, what was the point in splashing out an 8-figure sum on another right-back? Now that Johnson has been signed, Arbeloa has expectedly been linked to Spanish club Real, for a sum of around £7m. Implying, as expected, that manager Rafael Benitez clearly sees Johnson as Arbeloa's replacement, should the Spaniard be sold. Was it a deal really worth doing?

There is no doubting the fact that Johnson is a better-equipped full-back than Arbeloa, and his general all-round game is very good. In modern times the full-backs are expected to bomb down the flanks and assist the wingers, whilst also maintaining things at the other end. Last year Liverpool's first choice right and left-back were Arbeloa and Fabio Aurelio respectively. Neither have attacking features to their game It is rare for either of them to try and take on another opposition player down the flanks. Benitez bought them at a time when Liverpool's defence was at best shabby, with defenders such as Djimi Traore. However, by buying Johnson, Liverpool's defensive strength has certainly not been weakened – and attacking wise, it has opened a new dimension for them.

Time and time again last season Liverpool were unable to break down opposition defences at Anfield - it was, in the end, the factor which lost them the title. A string of draws around Christmas time against teams that virtually "parked the bus" meant Liverpool had to settle for a point each time, whilst rivals Manchester United were edging 1-0 wins here and there. Benitez said, at the end of the season, that "United aren't the best team, they just got the most points." What Rafa meant was that Liverpool were, undoubtedly, the most entertaining and attacking team in the land. The proof was there to see - Liverpool had scored a whopping 77 goals last term - at an average of over 2 goals a game in the toughest League. Sadly however, that counts for nothing unless you have enough points to back it up. 86 points would've won more than 10 of the current 18 league crowns Liverpool have achieved over the years; but this time, it just wasn't enough.

Which brings me back to Glen Johnson. He is another player, like Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres, Yossi Benayoun, who can play that defence-splitting pass or a sublime piece of trickery which could end lead to a goal. He offers more going forward, in my opinion, then Arbeloa ever would and in fact most right backs in the Premier League. Moreover, he is still young, and recent eye-catching performances for England and an excellent season for Portsmouth meant it was no surprise that the likes of Manchester City and Chelsea (his former club) wanted him. But in the end, it seemed Anfield was his preferred destination and I am sure many fans, such as myself, can't wait to see him wear the Red shirt for the first time.

It was a clever piece of business for Benitez as well - he virtually, as the saying goes, hit two birds with one stone. Not only has he got one of the best right-backs in Europe, he has also obtained another English player which will help Liverpool if Fifa carry out the proposed 6-5 foreign rule to Uefa. However, it is clear there are still many more things left to do. In my opinion Liverpool must buy an out-and-out striker, but the question is how much Rafa is willing, or is able, to spend on another forward. Torres is one of the best striker’s in the world if not the best, but one feels you need a better support striker than David N'gog if you are to challenge for the title. The names that have been linked are of course ones such as David Villa, David Silva and Real Madrid rookie Negredo.

So, in response to the title question, I believe that in summary the signing of Johnson will help Liverpool's title quest greatly, mainly because he does offer that extra attacking dimension, something which Liverpool may have been missing last season. But one thing is for sure, this signature isn't the final missing piece of the jigsaw puzzle. A quality striker is what will, in my opinion, be the final piece in that puzzle, which will help bring No.19 home to Anfield. Moreover, Benitez must use all his expertise and knowledge to keep midfield maestros Xabi Alonso and Javier Mascherano, because they are two crucial elements to a successful Liverpool outfit. If money is needed to be raised, Liverpool ought to sell the likes of Andrea Dossena and some of the reserve fringe players, such as Degen.

There were two missing pieces in this large jigsaw Liverpool needed to fill, and in Glen Johnson, they have filled one of the vacant spots. It is that last spot now, which when filled, will hopefully see Steven Gerrard lifting the trophy come May 2010.