• Premier League

Liverpool decide not to sign Cissokho

Aly Cissokho arrived on loan from Valencia last summer © PA Photos

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Aly Cissokho is set to return to Spain at the end of the season as Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers prepares to look elsewhere to strengthen his defence.

The left-back, 26, arrived at Anfield on a season's loan from Valencia last August, but has struggled to make an impact.

Cissokho has twice lost his place in Liverpool's side this season to natural right-backs, with Jon Flanagan replacing him in November and then - after the Frenchman had forced his way back in - Glen Johnson taking over the role last month.

Rodgers is waiting to see how first choice Jose Enrique recovers from a long-term knee problem, but is likely to seek additional cover for the left-back role in the summer, sources have told ESPN.

Enrique, who has played just 29 minutes for the club since October 5 and not at all since November 9, is still recovering from knee surgery, having been expected to return at the end of January.

Cissokho has had a stop-start season at Liverpool, missing six weeks after suffering an ankle injury in only his second game for the club, a 4-2 Capital One Cup victory over Notts County on August 27.

He then started four games in a row on regaining fitness in October, only to be left out in favour of youth-team graduate Flanagan for the 3-3 draw at Everton on November 23.

When Flanagan sustained a hamstring injury shortly before Christmas, Cissokho was restored to the starting line-up.

But after a number of unconvincing displays, he has dropped to the bench for Liverpool's last two games, with Flanagan playing on the right and Johnson taking over on the left.

Rodgers has always been diplomatic when asked about Cissokho's future, saying in January: "Aly has come in and done his best. He was not in the team to start with, and then he got injured. Aly has come in and performed to the best of his capabilities."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd