Konchesky up for challenge
Liverpool defender Paul Konchesky says he is up for the challenge of representing the club after signing from Fulham.
Konchesky has signed a four-year contract with Liverpool and should start as the club's main left-back for the majority of the season. He is liked and respected by manager Roy Hodgson and says he is grateful for the chance he has been given.
Konchesky is a player that Mark Hughes would have preferred to keep at Fulham. However, it was clear that the player wanted to leave once it was evident that there was some truth in the rumours linking him to Anfield.
Konchesky has a number of skills and qualities that should allow him to fulfil his ambition at his new club. However, the pressure will be more intense now that he is playing for a club with a bigger global reputation.
Skills and qualities
Konchesky is very quick and very attack minded. This makes him a very good left-back because he can be productive at both ends of the field. He can get forward and support in attack but he's fit and quick enough to track back and defend.
He clearly has a great deal of ambition and determination. A lot of players would have been put off by this move because it would mean relocation of their family. This is not an experience that all players enjoy but it's something Konchesky has to stomach for the chance to play for Liverpool.
Konchesky is a more versatile defender and this is why Hughes would have liked to keep him at Fulham. If there is an injury crisis at Liverpool then Hodgson can ask him to tuck inside and play at left centre-back.
The defender said: "I'm 29 and this is my last chance to play at the highest level. That is what Liverpool are and I am really looking forward to it. It was a big factor (Hodgson) but Liverpool being a big club was a massive factor. I'm looking forward to getting a new lease of life and playing at a very high standard."
A big step up
Although Fulham reached the final of the Europa League last season, there can be no doubt over the fact that Konchesky is moving to a much bigger club. This means that there will be more pressure and greater expectation.
There may be more pressure than the left-back has ever experienced and this includes lengthy spells at Fulham and West Ham United. It will be interesting to see how he reacts on his debut for the club.
He added: "I can't wait to pull on a Liverpool shirt in the Premier League, it is a massive club and it is a big step for me. I just want to give it my all and go from there. I've had three or four days' training and although there have not been a lot of players there it has been a good week and I am hopefully going to enjoy it soon."
Betting advice
Konchesky will add a huge amount to the defence at Liverpool and make them much less vulnerable to attacks down the flank. This should mean Liverpool are much harder and rigid to break down, and the side concedes fewer goals.
Also have a punt on him to get forward and score against a team that won't employ midfield players to keep him from getting forward. You will get very long odds on Konchesky scoring at any time and he's shown in the past that he can pop up every so often with an effort of real quality.
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