Big rap for Phoenix’s rising star
Liberato Cacace’s sky-high potential could carry him all the way to the Premier League.
That is according to his Wellington Phoenix captain Steven Taylor, who played 194 games in England’s top-flight for Newcastle United before heading Down Under.
Still only 19, Cacace will become the youngest player in Phoenix history to play 50 A-League games when he takes the field against the lowly Central Coast Mariners in Gosford on Sunday night.
But how many more appearances he makes after that remains unclear, with Cacace tipped to follow Sarpreet Singh to Europe at the end of the 2019-20 season after developing into one of the A-League’s top young prospects.
‘‘It’s up to Libby but for me he’s got all the ability there for him, it’s just now someone taking a chance [on him],’’ Taylor said.
‘‘I’ve played with some leftbacks in my time and there’s no reason why he can’t go on and fulfil that.
‘‘He’s got everything that you need to be a top left-back. He’s proving it week in, week out here and as long as he keeps his feet on the ground, which I’m sure he will be because he’s a very grounded lad.
‘‘But the future looks very bright for him.’’
Cacace produced one of his best performances for the Phoenix in their most recent 2-0 win over Western United last month. The All White opened the scoring with a side-footed volley and caused Western plenty of problems with his marauding runs.
Taylor said there was no question that Cacace was now the best player in his position in the A-League.
‘‘He’s up there for me as the best left-back in the league without a shadow of a doubt. He’s been outstanding for us,’’ Taylor said.
‘‘Since I’ve come in last season, game by game he’s gone from strength to strength. He’s getting all the plaudits now but what a player we’ve got, what a future he’s going to have.
‘‘I want to keep him here because I love playing with him. He’s a fantastic player and a great lad to have around as well.
‘‘I want to keep him here but I do realise football is a business game and when a big club comes knocking he’ll have to go I guess.’’