Liverpool FC today announced their 2nd signing in as many days. Yesterday it was Swiss right-back Philipp Degen and today it’s Italian left-back Andrea Dossena. These two signings mean that the defensive part of Liverpool’s squad is sorted, and ready for the next season.

Philipp Degen

25 year old Degen, was signed on a free transfer from Borussia Dortmund. He signed a 4 year deal. Before Dortmund he played for FC Basel where he won 2 domestic league titles and gained Champion’s League experience. He is an attacking full-back with pace and strength.

Andrea Dossena

26 year old Dossena signs for £7m from Udinese. He too has signed a 4 year deal and is also described as a strong attacking full-back.

The signing of two attacking full backs leads me to believe Liverpool are going to continue with the 4-2-3-1 formation that brought them their best football last season. Right back was an area Liverpool struggled last season and Riise’s departure means there is a vacancy at left-back. Liverpool now have 3 capable options in each position.

At right-back Finnan, Arbeloa and Degen will fight it out and I can’t say right now who I believe will win. Finnan looked like he was nearing the exit door at times this summer but now seems happy to stay and fight for his place. He has been an excellent full-back all his career so if Degen ousts him he will be a success at Liverpool. Finnan isn’t getting any younger though and struggled to fend off the competition from Arbeloa at times last season. Arbeloa always strikes me as a squad player rather than a first team player and as that he is better than most out there. Don’t see him being first choice though. Right-back is up for grabs and hopefully Degen will prove a better free transfer than Aurelio and Voronin.

Left-back is between Aurelio, Insua and Dossena. I like the look of Insua but he is yet to fully graduate from the reserves and will probably be on International duty for the star of the season. I would sell Aurelio if anyone showed any interest. If Dossena doesn’t quickly establish himself as first choice left-back I’ll be disappointed. The real question will be is Dossena an upgrade on Riise who was sold to Roma for £4m? I’m hoping he will and am expecting big things from Andrea Dossena.

The centre-back position is well and truly covered by Carragher, Hyypia, Skertel and the returning Agger. Having Agger back will be like a new signing that you are guaranteed will fit in and work out. It will be hard to keep these 4 players happy and Rafa has given himself a bit of a headache for the season. Hyypia is likely to leave next summer and Carragher is the wrong side of 30 now. I expect Carragher to play for Liverpool until he is about 35 but it’s good to know that Agger and Skertel are in their early 20’s and there are a few good defenders coming up from the reserves.

The defence is well covered, but 3 players for the full back positions, and 4 top class centre-backs is too much. That will be wittled down to 2 full-backs for each side and 3 centre-backs during the season I’d say. My money is on Hyypia, Aurelio and one other to depart. It will be interesting and it’s nice to know Liverpool have good options at the back.

The goalkeeping situation should be sorted fairly quickly with Brazilian Diego Cavalieri probably signing for £3m soon. Reina will obviously continue as first choice with Resevre keeper David Martin as 3rd choice.

Now for the midfield…