You'll have plenty to celebrate when you subscribe to the Liverpool FC newsletter Sign me up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

In the aftermath of Liverpool’s Europa League final defeat to Sevilla, it was Jamie Carragher who perhaps articulated Reds fans’ frustrations best.

“Jurgen, transfer committee, anyone. Sign a f*****g left back!”

The tweet was swiftly deleted – though in the age of screenshots, memes and eagle eyes, such an exercise seems rather pointless – but the sentiment is undeniable. And a month and a half on from Basel, Carragher’s wish is yet to be granted.

Liverpool’s players, or at least those not involved in Euro 2016 or the Copa America, return to training on Saturday. Their first friendly is a week on Friday at Tranmere. That summer break feels shorter every year, doesn’t it?

There will be fresh faces at Melwood. Joel Matip and Marko Grujic will link up with their teammates for the first time, as will Loris Karius and Sadio Mane. No new left back though, yet.

Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will start in 8 Cancel Play now

Concerning? Certainly to some supporters. It has been a problem position at Liverpool for longer than anyone would care to remember. Alberto Moreno’s performance against Sevilla, which prompted that Carragher tweet, served merely as confirmation.

The criticism aimed at Moreno after that game may have been over the top – Liverpool’s collapse that night was collective, not individual – but there is no question that it’s an area to be strengthened, with work needed on the training field as well as in the transfer market.

Moreno, surely, will be given more time by Jurgen Klopp. The manager values his speed, control and the continuous attacking width he provides. At 23 (24 next week) he sees the development potential in the Spaniard, even if every step forward he makes seems to be followed by a couple backwards.

The inconsistency is infuriating, which makes it a tad surprising that Liverpool’s primary left back target this summer is Ben Chilwell, a 19-year-old with 11 senior club appearances to his name.

News last week that those negotiations had reached a familiar point – Leicester demanding £10m, Liverpool offering £7m and threatening to look elsewhere – was greeted with predictable angst from supporters. Chilwell is a player Klopp and his recruitment team believe could be a gem, but he is far from a guaranteed upgrade on Moreno at this stage.

That has been a problem at Liverpool for years. They’ve signed plenty of left backs, but rarely improved the position for any length of time. Djimi Traore, Paul Konchesky, Emiliano Insua, Aly Cissokho, Andrea Dossena, Jose Enrique, Christian Ziege; none of those solved the issue.

Fabio Aurelio did so only briefly, while John Arne Riise’s race was run long before he left the club. Others – Jon Flanagan, Alvaro Arbeloa, Glen Johnson – were converted right-backs. Flanagan remains at the club, of course, and will be hoping to prove himself in the new season with the benefit of a full summer of preparation.

There are no guarantees with any signing, but fans look around and see options across the continent. At Cologne with German international Jonas Hector, or at Wolfsburg with the marauding Ricardo Rodriguez. Ryan Bertrand’s name has been touted – Liverpool are surely due a free player from Southampton soon? - while Ben Davies, linked in 2014, has furthered his reputation at Euro 2016 albeit as a left-sided centre back. How about Matteo De Sciglio, the flying Italian wing back playing at AC Milan?

If, as all the indications suggest, Chilwell is the one Liverpool want, the one they believe in, then they must ensure the deal is done swiftly, giving the teenager the benefit of a full pre-season.

If he isn’t, or if they feel the price is simply too high, then it will be interesting to see where they look next.

Because if Moreno’s Anfield career has proven anything, it is that waiting for potential can be a frustrating exercise.

This is what James Pearce had to say on the situation last week