Transfer Link with Newcastle's Daryl Janmaat Questions Liverpool Right-Backs

Liverpool are being linked with a summer move for Newcastle United right-back Daryl Janmaat—a position at which the Reds have huge question marks for more than one reason.

According to Mark Douglas of the Newcastle Chronicle, the Reds "have run the rule over Newcastle United’s in-form right-back [Janmaat], whose fine first season in the Premier League has attracted heavyweight interest.

"Whether watching the player will translate to anything more substantial is not clear at this stage, but the Reds have a strong scouting presence in the North East."

Janmaat signed for Newcastle from Feyenoord last summer in a £5 million move, with then-Newcastle boss Alan Pardew describing him to reporters as the "perfect example of a modern full-back; someone who is good defensively but offers a real threat going forward as well."

Janmaat enjoyed a successful World Cup campaign with the Netherlands, where he started all their group games and came on as a sub in their semi-final against Argentina. Interestingly, he played as a wing-back for Louis van Gaal's side—the role he'd presumably fill at Liverpool if a move transpired.

He has since followed that up with a good first year in England with the Magpies, making 28 appearances, scoring once and making six assists—second only to Leighton Baines in the Premier League, per WhoScored.com.

As explained by Jack Lusby for This Is Anfield, Janmaat's attacking output compares favorably with current Liverpool defenders:

His [Janmaat's] rate of 0.8 dribbles and 0.8 key passes on average per game would make him one of the most prolific attacking defenders in the Liverpool squad—no defender has made more dribbles, while Alberto Moreno is the only defender to make more key passes with 1.3.

With Liverpool currently not using orthodox full-backs, it's Janmaat's attacking qualities that would be required on the right-hand side of the 3-4-2-1 formation currently adopted by Brendan Rodgers.

Current Right-Backs

Liverpool have four right-backs in their first-team squad at present, but all four have huge question marks regarding their futures at Anfield.

The current senior right-back in the squad is Glen Johnson, but the 30-year-old is expected to leave Merseyside when his contract expires. Metro's Jamie Sanderson claims that a deal with AS Roma could even be announced this week.

Johnson looks set to leave despite Rodgers' previous claim that he wanted the England international to stay at the club, per the Guardian. Andy Hunter writes that Johnson has "resisted Liverpool’s offer of a short-term extension on terms reduced from his £120,000-a-week wage."

Next up is on-loan Javier Manquillo. The Spaniard has started 18 games this season, featuring mostly in the first half of the campaign while Johnson was sidelined through injury.

Manquillo is on a two-year loan agreement from Atletico Madrid, with Liverpool having the option to either make the deal permanent in 2016 or cut it short this summer, per Chris Bascombe of The Telegraph. With the 20-year-old currently struggling for opportunities and seemingly not suited to the wing-back role within the current formation, it does seem quite likely he'll return to Atleti this summer.

Elsewhere, Liverpool also have Andre Wisdom. While naturally a centre-back during his youth days, Wisdom has played at right-back for Liverpool, Derby County—with whom he impressed on loan last season—and this season with West Bromwich Albion.

However, Wisdom has found himself out of favour at the Hawthorns over the past month since the arrival of Tony Pulis and hasn't featured since late January. It seems unlikely he'll return to Anfield and become a permanent feature at right-back.

Lastly, the Reds have Jon Flanagan. The 22-year-old local lad impressed last season largely in a more unfamiliar left-back role but has been sidelined for the whole of the current campaign with a knee injury.

He returned to full training recently but will face a struggle to regain match fitness and find his way back into Rodgers' thinking. His contract expires in the summer, and a new deal has yet to be agreed upon, leaving a question mark over his future.

That's four right-backs, all of whom could very well leave Anfield come the end of the summer.

System

It will be interesting to see if Rodgers does opt to sign an orthodox right-back this summer, giving us an insight into whether he will continue with the 3-4-2-1 shape or revert back to a back-four defence.

We've seen Lazar Markovic and Jordon Ibe feature most prominently on the right of the defence/midfield in wing-back roles over the past three months, but both may see their long-term futures in more advanced roles.

Rodgers may seek a player who is strong going forward but also more defensively savvy for when the back three becomes a back five while defending, perhaps a right-sided player more similar to Alberto Moreno. The Spaniard is arguably the perfect fit for the left-wing-back role and has performed well since the change in shape.

Could Janmaat become that same type of player for Liverpool on the right side?