Five Times Liverpool Failed To Sign A Future Superstar

In the world of football, the transfer market is a hotbed of what-ifs and almost-weres, where the future of clubs and players is often decided by the slimmest of margins.

Liverpool, renowned for their savvy acquisitions and scouting prowess, is no stranger to the ebb and flow of transfer opportunities.

However, like any storied club, they've had their share of near misses - promising talents that slipped through their fingers only to shine brightly elsewhere.

This reflective exploration delves into five of Liverpool's most notable "bargain misses," young talents that could have donned the Red shirt

Rodrygo Goes - The Near Miss from Santos

This post was inspired by Rodrygo's recent admission that he almost joined Liverpool when he was 16 and despite being made an amazing offer, he wanted to make history at Santos before moving to Europe.

Before Real Madrid secured his signature for a reported €45 million, Liverpool had the chance to bring Rodrygo to Anfield for a mere €3 million in 2019.

This prodigious talent from Santos could have brought his exceptional pace and skill to the Premier League.

Reflecting on what might have been, one can only imagine the additional dynamism Rodrygo would have injected into Liverpool's attack, potentially forming a formidable partnership with the likes of Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane.

Dele Alli - From MK Dons to Tottenham Stardom

Dele Alli's meteoric rise from MK Dons to becoming a Premier League sensation with Tottenham is well-documented.

Liverpool's interest in the young midfielder was palpable, but ultimately, Alli's career path led him to North London.

His impact at Tottenham, peaking in valuation and influence, poses a tantalising "what if" scenario for Liverpool, pondering how his midfield prowess could have complemented the Reds' dynamic play.

However, his story turned out to be a tragic one as his career trajectory has been heavily influenced by a traumatic upbringing that he bravely shared with Gary Neville in a revealing interview in 2023.

Cristiano Ronaldo - Just imagine...

Liverpool fans have learned to deeply dislike Cristiano Ronaldo after his Manchester United days but imagine if he had move to Anfield instead of Old Trafford.

The Portuguese football icon won the Ballon d'Or during his time with United but according to former Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier, financial constraints made a move for the future Real Madrid star impossible.

"I saw him in the Toulon Under-21 tournament and we went for him," Houllier said back in 2017. "But we had a wage scale and we weren't paying the sort of salary he wanted.

"Then Manchester United played a friendly against Sporting Lisbon and all their boys said to Sir Alex Ferguson: 'You have to sign him'. But I agreed with not breaking the wage structure. I thought it would cause problems in our dressing room."

Instead of signing Cristiano Ronaldo, Liverpool recruited Kewell from Leeds United, and Houllier has no regrets in sticking with the Australian, who enjoyed a five-season stay on Merseyside.

"Maybe we would have won the title with Ronaldo, but we had Harry Kewell, who was outstanding at the time and was very hungry but got a bad injury," Houllier added.

"After that, he never had the same confidence, the same appetite."

Kylian Mbappé - The World Cup Winner Liverpool Watched

The tale of Kylian Mbappé's ascension at Monaco, leading to his high-profile move to PSG, includes a chapter where Liverpool showed keen interest in the French prodigy.

Club owner John W. Henry even took Mbappe and his family on a private jet ride over Monaco to discuss a potential move to Anfield.

The financial and sporting implications of such a signing are monumental, considering Mbappé's world-class talent and marketability.

Imagining Mbappé's explosive speed and goal-scoring ability at Liverpool was once a tantalising prospect, but it's unlikely the Frenchman will ever move to Merseyside.

Dani Alves - Before Barcelona, Liverpool Were Interested

Before Dani Alves became a legend at Barcelona, Liverpool had a chance to sign him from Sevilla.

However, negotiations faltered over the transfer fee, with Sevilla demanding more than Liverpool was willing to pay. As a result, Alves moved to Barcelona in 2008, where he enjoyed immense success, winning numerous La Liga titles and Champions League trophies.

This missed opportunity left Liverpool to ponder what might have been, as Alves' attacking flair and defensive skills could have significantly impacted the team.