Liverpool avoid £73m transfer DISASTER

Liverpool have avoided a transfer disaster that could have cost them A LOT of money.

Jadon Sancho was having a successful season at Borussia Dortmund back in 2020/21 and had been tipped as a possible replacement for Mohamed Salah at Liverpool.

He produced an impressive 33, 40 and 36 goal contributions in consecutive seasons at Dortmund, earning interest from several clubs.

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Sancho ended up making the move to Manchester United for £73 million in the summer of 2021, but that’s where it all seemed to go wrong.

He fell down the pecking order at Old Trafford, scoring just nine goals and making 58 appearances in his three-year spell at the club.

It only got worse as the former Manchester City youth prospect had a public falling out with Erik ten Hag over his attitude in training.

Sancho's downward spiral

The relationship seemed to be unsalvageable, and Sancho found himself back at his former club on loan for the second half of the 2023/24 season, where they reached the Champions League final.

He was then sent on a season-long loan to Chelsea last summer, with the Blues agreeing to sign him on a permanent transfer at the end of the season for between £20m-25m.

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However, despite contributing three assists in his first three Premier League games for the club, he has failed to stay in form and has only scored two goals the whole season.

In order to avoid signing the winger permanently, Chelsea would have to pay Manchester United £5m, which could put them in a difficult position.

Liverpool right to dodge Sancho

So it seems Liverpool were right to stay out of the race for Jadon Sancho.

The Reds went on to sign cheaper forwards who have had a significant impact, such as Luis Diaz for an initial £37m in January 2022. The Colombian has scored 25 Premier League goals in 95 appearances for the club.

Jurgen Klopp’s signing of Cody Gakpo from PSV Eindhoven in December 2022 for £35m has also proven crucial. The Dutchman has been a key figure in Arne Slot’s squad this season, scoring 16 goals in all competitions whilst also contributing five assists.

The 25-year-old has stepped up and proved himself both on the left wing and as a central striker.

It was also clear he was greatly missed when he faced a short spell on the sidelines last month after a knock to the ankle aggravated a previous injury.

The two forwards, who combined cost a similar price to what United paid for Sancho, have contributed to cup wins for Liverpool and look set to help guide the Reds to the league title.

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It really does seem that Liverpool dodged a bullet, and have the satisfaction of watching on as their cheaper signings succeed.