Javier Manquillo: Former Liverpool Loanee Now Treading Water with Sunderland

Much has been made of Liverpool’s relationship with recent opponents, Southampton, in recent years, but it is Sunderland, who visit Anfield on Saturday, who have shared more players with the Reds over the decades.

Howard Gayle, Alan Kennedy, Don Hutchison, Barry Venison, Phil Babb, Jason McAteer, Sotirios Kyrgiakos, Bolo Zenden, Fabio Borini and Sebastian Coates are among those to have turned out for both clubs.

This list could have grown further had Rafa Benitez succeeded in signing Kenwyne Jones in either 2007 or 2010 or Kenny Dalglish added Lee Cattermole to his squad in 2011 or Darren Bent in 2012.

Two former Black Cats currently ply their trade at Anfield, goalkeeper Simon Mignolet and captain Jordan Henderson, while two ex-Reds are part of David Moyes’ Sunderland squad for the 2016/17 campaign, striker Fabio Borini and full-back Javier Manquillo.

With Borini sidelined with a long-term groin injury, Manquillo will be the only former Liverpool player available for selection as Moyes prepares his side for the trip to Merseyside. The Atletico Madrid loanee presents an interesting story, with both of his temporary spells in the Premier League seemingly heading the same way.

After playing the full 90 minutes in each of his first seven league games on the books at the Stadium of Light, Manquillo has been an unused substitute for their last three outings, a 4-1 defeat to Arsenal in October and victories over Bournemouth (2-1) and Hull City (3-0) in November.

Manquillo hasn’t played for Sunderland since their 1-0 loss away to West Ham United on October 22, threatening to paint a similar picture to that of his 10 months on loan at Liverpool.

So why has the young right-back, who also spent time in Real Madrid’s Fabrica academy, failed to establish himself at both clubs? 

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When Manquillo signed for Liverpool ahead of the 2014/15 campaign, his arrival came as something of a surprise to supporters, with the Spaniard, then 20, yet to garner a reputation around Europe.

“When they tell you Liverpool want to sign you, I think like any player, you are going to be absolutely amazed,” he said upon his move. “And you don’t think of anything else than going straight there.”

Manquillo, who signed on an initial two-year loan, was part of an eight-strong recruitment drive by Reds manager Brendan Rodgers in the aftermath of Luis Suarez’s departure to Barcelona. He was soon followed by a compatriot, left-back Alberto Moreno.

It swiftly became clear that the duo were vastly different propositions at full-back: Moreno was the more rampaging, attacking option; Manquillo was the more reserved, defensive talent.

This, in theory, provided Rodgers’ defensive line with a welcome balance, with Manquillo dropping in alongside centre-backs Martin Skrtel and …

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