Jose Enrique is determined to see out the final year of his contract at Liverpool, despite being heavily linked with a summer move away from the club, having fallen out of favour under Brendan Rodgers.
The left-back, dubbed one of three ‘unshiftables’ by the Liverpool Echo, has been asked to train away from the rest of the first-team squad – along with Fabio Borini and Mario Balotelli – after being told that he has no future at the club (via The Guardian).
He has been linked with a move to West Brom (via the Birmingham Mail), but is not thought to be interested, as he instead focuses on forcing his way back into his manager’s plans.
The 29-year-old was a regular during Rodgers’ first season in charge but has struggled with a knee problem over the last two years, something which has restricted him to just 18 appearances in all competitions during that time.
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He’s since lost his place in the side to both Alberto Moreno and, most recently, Joe Gomez – who started the first game of our new season against Stoke City last Sunday and impressed with his performance.
However, Enrique still feels he could be of use to Rodgers and to Liverpool. He told Spanish newspaper Marca about his plans, saying: “I am in a difficult position. We have alienated Balotelli, Borini and to me. I have a year of contract and I imagine that the club will want to sell, but I still have the idea of stay and fight as I always have.
“If a good opportunity came with more years of contract and more options to play, I would study. I will not give up. Football changes from day to night. I know from experience.
“I am perfect after two years with knee discomfort and Liverpool is obliged to record me. In addition, there is only one pure left-back (Alberto Moreno) and I know that if I stay I’ll play. I want to prove that some are wrong.”
It’s an admirable statement of intent, and one that we can’t really criticise, but with Gomez shining and Jon Flanagan also due back from injury in the coming months, it’s hard to see where Enrique would fit in.