Missed Chances – Liverpool Transfers That Never Happened

Xherdan Shaqiri’s move to Inter Milan signals yet another transfer target that Brendan Rodgers has missed out on since his arrival at Anfield in 2012.

He seems to have dodged a bullet with some, while others he failed to sign have gone on to great things at the clubs they eventually ended up at.

Clint Dempsey

Transfer Deadline day in August 2012, and it seemed Liverpool had the signature of Fulham striker Clint Dempsey all wrapped up. Except they hadn’t.

Rodgers was left stunned after club bosses failed to sanction a fee of more than £3 million for the American, despite offloading Andy Carroll to West Ham on loan.

Dempsey joined Tottenham instead at the last-minute for around £6 million, but managed just seven goals at Spurs before returning to the MLS a year later with Seattle Sounders. It is unlikely the Liverpool boss would have signed Daniel Sturridge the following January if Dempsey’s transfer had gone through.

Willian

Liverpool apparently made the first approach for the Brazilian in 2013, before being gazumped by Tottenham, and then Chelsea.

Rodgers believed that the former Shakhtar Donestsk midfielder did not turn down Liverpool for footballing reasons – hinting that his preference for Chelsea came down to money.

Despite doubts about where he’d fit in at Stamford Bridge, with a squad brimming with creative midfielders, Willian has played an important part of Jose Mourinho’s second spell at the club. Such was his impact that Juan Mata was allowed leave for Manchester United just months after the Brazilian arrived.

Loic Remy

Yet another deal that Liverpool seemed to have sealed, only to falter at the finishing line, Remy’s £8.5 million switch from QPR collapsed due to a failed medical.

However, any health concerns didn’t worry Mourinho who snapped him up shortly afterwards as back-up to Diego Costa. While the jury is still out on his Chelsea career, Remy’s previous exploits in France and at QPR and Newcastle suggest Liverpool wouldn’t be suffering so much up-front this season had he been added to their ranks.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan

The capture of the Armenian was one of Rodgers’ main priorities in the summer of 2013, but again he lost out despite matching Shakhtar Donetsk’s asking price.

The midfielder instead joined Borussia Dortmund, citing their style of play as the key factor in his decision.

Despite a fine first season in Germany he’s struggled this year – especially in front of goal. It’s believed Jurgen Klopp is willing to offload him, and a move to Liverpool could finally be on the cards. However, a hamstring injury makes it unlikely he’ll leave the Bundesliga strugglers in this window.

Mohamed Salah

The Egyptian winger wanted a move to Anfield last January but both he and his club Basel felt Liverpool’s offer of £8 million showed a lack of respect for his talents. In hindsight, it may have been overly generous on Liverpool’s part.

He was another to move to Chelsea instead, for around £3 million more, but has struggled to make an impact at Stamford Bridge. He’s made just 13 appearances for Mourinho’s side and has been linked with a loan move this January – with the likes of QPR, Sunderland and Stoke all rumoured to be interested.

Diego Costa

Liverpool’s famed transfer committee must hate the sight of Chelsea. They seem to do all the groundwork on players before being gazumped at the last minute by their London counterparts.

Costa admitted he was open to a move to Anfield in 2013, only for the club’s bid of £20 million to be rejected by Atletico Madrid.

The transfer committee must rue their characteristically low offer, as the Spanish international is joint top-scorer in the Premier League following a £32 million move to Stamford Bridge – including a November winner at Anfield.

Alexis Sanchez

Oh, how Brendan Rodgers could do with Alexis Sanchez right now. Brendan Rodgers earmarked the Chilean as the perfect replacement for Luis Suarez and it seems remiss of Liverpool not to try and secure his signature as part of the Uruguayan’s sale.

For once, it seemed Liverpool had outbid their transfer rivals but Barcelona took a hit of £3 million as Sanchez favoured a move to Arsenal. Rodgers put it down to where “player and his family wanted to choose to live”, and he’s certainly hit the ground running in London – scoring ten league goals already and is a leading contender for Player of the Year in his debut Premier League campaign.