Five Liverpool targets who FSG missed out on in January transfer window

Liverpool’s January transfer window has come and gone without so much as an inkling of a confirmed deal inwards.

Liverpool transfer news today: Agent CONFIRMS offer as wonderkid deal moves closer

Sporting director Richard Hughes kept his hands in his pockets throughout the winter transfer period, instead concentrating on getting renewals done for Trent Alexander-Arnold, Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk.

READ MORE: Liverpool star jets-out to Paris days before transfer deadline day

So far there has been no success on that front either and Liverpool fans remain frustrated at the level of transfer inactivity at the club throughout this season.

By the time the campaign ends, only Federico Chiesa will have signed as a permanent deal throughout two full transfer windows. Should it end up costing Liverpool then questions will need to be asked about the long-term transfer strategy under FSG.

Most perplexingly, many of Liverpool’s CONFIRMED transfer targets did end up changing clubs in this transfer window. And in the case of more than one, they ended up at rival clubs too.

Here we detail five players who were firm fixtures on Liverpool’s recruitment shortlist who ended up completing transfers elsewhere this winter.

Patrick Dorgu - Lecce to Man Utd

Manchester United completed the £30 million signing of highly-rated Lecce left-back Patrick Dorgu during the latter stages of the window.

The Denmark international will solve a long-standing problem for Ruben Amorim, whose left side has been in a pitiful state since he arrived at the club.

But Liverpool were rumoured to be interested in Dorgu a year ago.

A highly-versatile player who can also play on the right wing, Dorgu could have plugged several gaps in Arne Slot’s squad. Most pressingly, Liverpool require a replacement for Andy Robertson with the Scot about to turn 31 and showing signs of slowing down.

This was a race that sporting director Richard Hughes avoided, allowing the Red Devils to wrap up a relatively affordable deal for one of the coming world football talents. Liverpool’s loss is Man Utd’s gain.

Stefanos Tzimas - PAOK to Nurnberg/ Nurnberg to Brighton

Anfield Watch detailed Liverpool’s interest in Nurnberg striker Stefanos Tzimas at the start of the January transfer window.

It was always going to be a complex deal with the 18-year-old contracted to PAOK in Greece but on loan with the 2. Bundesliga side.

The Reds even got Barry Hunter involved with the Anfield club’s chief scout flying out to Germany to conclude a deal. Alas this is another one that fell down with rivals swooping in to pick up the pieces.

It’s Brighton who have won the race for the Greece underage international. Well, actually, Nurnberg signed Tzimas from PAOK before selling him to Brighton, who have loaned him back to the German second tier for the second half of the season.

Regardless, this is one striker you won’t be seeing on Merseyside any time soon. Another frustrating transfer miss for FSG, whose recruitment teams had done their homework on Tzimas.

Amar Dedic - Red Bull Salzburg to Marseille

This one came right out of left field at the end of the transfer window. Red Bull Salzburg right-back Amar Dedic has moved to Marseille and will be working alongside Roberto De Zerbi, reportedly a Liverpool managerial candidate last summer.

Dedic has long been identified as a potential Trent Alexander-Arnold replacement and has acquitted himself well on the Champions League stage despite an indifferent Red Bull season.

It’s been reported that OM have tied up an initial loan deal with an option to buy in the summer for around £8m. That could prove a bargain as Liverpool count the cost of missing out on the 22-year-old Austria-born Bosnian international.

Nico Gonzalez - Porto to Manchester City

This one hurts. Anfield Watch was first with the news that Liverpool’s recruitment team were in awe of the Porto midfielder.

The 23-year-old has gone from strength to strength since moving from Barcelona, establishing himself as one of the busiest and most effective central midfielders in Europe.

The Reds were also aware of a tantalising €60 million release clause for the former Spain under-21 international and Barcelona had no intention of activating their buyback clause.

All in all, this one seemed like a tap-in if Liverpool wanted it. But instead, Nico has gone to Manchester City, joining Pep Guardiola in a blockbuster deadline-day transfer.

City’s midfield has got more holes in it than Liverpool’s and this move should strengthen them in that area. Let’s hope we don’t regret this one.

Omar Marmoush - Eintracht Frankfurt to Manchester City

Maybe the finances wouldn’t have worked out for Liverpool considering Marmoush is reported to be banking a mammoth £300,000 per week and City ended up paying nearly £70m.

It’s not been the brightest start in City colours either for the 25–year-old, whose form over the last year or so for Eintracht Frankfurt put him firmly on the radar.

The Egyptian is another certified HIT with the Anfield recruitment staff and it’s s surprise they didn’t move earlier if they really wanted him.

There could be replacements soon required for Mohamed Salah and Luis Diaz while Diogo Jota remains frustratingly unfit.

Liverpool FC News Recap: Arne Slot praised as new contract AGREED

Marmoush had the potential to be a multifaceted problem solver for Arne Slot.

READ MORE: Fabrizio Romano confirms Richard Hughes has a MAJOR Liverpool transfer plan