Only moments after missing out on Moises Caicedo this summer, Liverpool called Sofyan Amrabat.
The Reds really needed to add a midfielder after losing out to Chelsea on both Caicedo and Romeo Lavia. Liverpool was ‘a whisker away’ from acquiring Amrabat, according to news reports yesterday, even though they ultimately settled for Ryan Gravenberch and Wataru Endo.
The Moroccan eventually signed with Manchester United, whose supporters are undoubtedly thrilled that they allegedly outbid Liverpool for the youngster. They shouldn’t celebrate too vigorously, though, according to writer Fabrizio Romano’s Daily Briefing.
Romano asserts that despite the Reds having called Amrabat, nothing further ever happened.
The journalist states, “I’ve been questioned about certain claims that Liverpool came quite close to signing the Moroccan player [Amrabat] this summer.”
“As far as I’m aware, Liverpool only called to request the terms of the Amrabat transfer in the summer, immediately following the Moises Caicedo story, and nothing else. It wasn’t really a negotiation; it was merely a request, after which they went on to other objectives.
“Since they chose Wataru Endo for that post, I don’t believe there is any need to compare.”
Liverpool made a call to Amrabat.
Amrabat’s potential interest in Liverpool has long been known. According to rumors, the Reds were eager to sign him even as recently as last winter.
But it seems like Liverpool would have acquired the 27-year-old if they had been truly interested.
Amrabat has made a point of emphasizing how much he wanted to move to Old Trafford ever since joining United. However, if the Reds had made a strong push, they undoubtedly would have captured their target.
As things stand, it seems that Liverpool didn’t truly believe that Amrabat was the ideal acquisition. There are solid defenses for that.
On the other hand, given that it was a loan deal for a player with good credentials in a position that Jurgen Klopp really wanted, Liverpool might have fared much worse. During the World Cup last year, the United player was hailed as “exceptional” [TalkSPORT]. He does have ancestry.
Because of this, there are undoubtedly a lot of supporters who preferred Amrabat’s hiring to Endo’s.
We are, nonetheless, in the position we are. Amrabat is currently playing for our bitter opponents, while Endo plays for Liverpool. Whether that was the best choice will become clear with time. But for now, let’s support our hero.