Liverpool have been very efficient in the transfer market over recent years but that hasn’t always been the case – although Reds fans will be relieved they never got deals for this XI over the line.
The Jurgen Klopp era has been defined by clever signings, normally at reasonable prices, but the likes of Rafa Benitez and Roy Hodgson weren’t immune from targeting players that left the Anfield faithful scratching their heads in bemusement.
We’ve compiled an XI of players Liverpool will be relieved they never signed, lining up in a 4-3-3 formation.
GK: Wayne Hennessey
Liverpool were linked with a host of goalkeepers in their search for an understudy to Pepe Reina but Hennessey was arguably the most underwhelming of the lot.
They even made an enquiry for the Wales international but Wolves’ £7million valuation deterred the Reds from making a bid.
During the subsequent 2011-12 season, Hennessey was between the sticks as Wolves went a club record 30 consecutive league games without keeping a clean sheet.
They finished rock bottom and Liverpool fans had a collective rush of appreciation for Brad Jones.
RB: Luke Young
Two words: Roy Hodgson.
Young would have been an understandable signing in 2005, when he was a semi-regular in the England squad and one of the Premier League’s steadiest defenders at Charlton.
But, five years later, Young had all the pace of an asthmatic snail and Aston Villa were desperate to get his hefty wage off their books.
With his finger firmly off the pulse, Hodgson had a £2.5million bid accepted but the move collapsed amid suggestions that Young was unable to agree personal terms at Anfield as well as being reluctant to relocate to the north.
He ended up as part of QPR’s post-promotion supermarket sweep in 2011. Liverpool had avoided a banana skin.
CB: Michael Turner
The summer of 2009 was a disorientating time; Michael Jackson died, swine flu was everywhere and Turner was considered the heir to Jamie Carragher in the Liverpool backline.
After helping Hull survive their first ever season in the top-flight, rumours began circulating linking the centre-back with an Anfield move.
“It is true I was talking with Phil Brown [the Hull manager], but I won’t discuss any figures,” Rafa Benitez said. When asked if he would make a second inquiry, Benítez added: “Maybe.”
Hull wanted £10million for Turner, pricing Benitez out. But, judging by his average performances at Sunderland and Norwich, he wouldn’t have entered…
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