Liverpool spent weeks chasing Lavia, seeing three bids rejected for the Belgian before turning to Caicedo, for whom a £111m fee was agreed with Brighton & Hove Albion.
Caicedo rejected the move to Anfield and ultimately forced through a move to Chelsea, who then ended up signing Lavia anyway even though Liverpool had voiced a willingness to match the Blues’ final bid.
Chelsea made sure to highlight that both players had specifically chosen Stamford Bridge as their new homes during their official unveilings.
As for Liverpool, they went on to complete a shock move for 30-year-old Japan international Wataru Endo from Stuttgart, and Klopp insisted he was happy with how things had played out.
“The last week was a tricky one, no doubt about that. But I’m more than happy with the solution,” the boss told a press conference.
“[Endo] is a really good footballer, 5’10 but jumps through the ceiling, really good in the air and generally defence. Tactically really smart. Good footballer, a big heart, desire.
“I’ve nothing to say about that, absolutely nothing to say. The transfer business is that you talk to people, clubs, agent, players and sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. Nothing else to say from my point of view.”
