Jose Enrique is ready to become Spain's new left-back

Jose Enrique appears ready for the big time. Cast adrift by coaches early on his career, forced to ply his trade in the lower divisions and then work his way up, the road to the top has been long and at times arduous for Liverpool's prospective new left-back, but the move to Merseyside may be just the tonic he needs to take that final step and claim the coveted left-back position for his country.

Del Horno, signed by Jose Mourinho after coming through the youth ranks and impressing at Athletic Bilbao, was seen as Spain's left-back of the future, but the Basque has since slipped down the footballing ladder and is now at Levante, where Jose Enrique started out.

While Del Horno has fallen into decline, however, Capdevila has gone from strength to strength. The Catalan defender has just joined Benfica following four superb seasons at Villarreal, which also saw him start as Spain's left-back in both Euro 2008 and last summer's World Cup win in South Africa.

Capdevila was Spain's only recognised left-back in South Africa, with Real Madrid's Alvaro Arbeloa providing cover for both full-back positions. Left-backs, in fact, are a precious commodity in Spain these days. "I'm lucky to play as a left-back because there are a lack of players in that position," Jose Enrique claimed. "Both Madrid and Barca, for example, have foreigners there: Marcelo and Abidal."

Barcelona tracked Jose Enrique at Newcastle last season and coach Pep Guardiola weighed up a bid for the left-back after Abidal's health scare last season. With neither Maxwell nor Adriano completely convincing at Camp Nou, Jose Enrique's defensive solidity and marauding runs from deep caught the eye of the Catalans, although the club were keen to bring in a cheaper alternative in the end. Likewise Villarreal, who promoted Jose Catala to their first team last term but also considered an offer for their former left-back to replace Capdevila.

Liverpool could be the ideal place for Jose Enrique to achieve that goal. Although not featuring in Europe next season, the Reds remain a high-profile club and still count on a large following in Spain, having been affectionately nicknamed 'Spanish Liverpool' during the reign of Rafa Benitez.