Robbie Savage has asked Liverpool, if they wanted Moises Caicedo so badly: “Why did you wait so long to make a move?”
The Reds emerged from nowhere earlier this week to launch a British record £115 million bid for the Ecuadorian midfielder. Chelsea had been tracking the then Brighton star for much of the transfer window, but looked set to be gazumped by the rival Anfield bid.
However, despite the Seagulls accepting the offer, Caicedo made clear he only wanted to join Chelsea, allowing the Blues to counter their offer and ultimately strike an agreement. It was a humbling blow for Jurgen Klopp, whose frustration was only compounded by Romeo Lavia repeating the trick days later.
Again, the Reds had a bid accepted by the player’s club – this time Southampton – only for Lavia to insist on a move to Chelsea, which was wrapped up and finalised on Friday. That left Liverpool reeling in the market, ultimately settling on Japan international Wataru Endo, 30, who signed a long-term deal with the Merseyside giants.
Nevertheless, it has been a bruising week for a Liverpool braintrust labelled “embarrassing” by Kop idol Jamie Carragher. And Savage is similarly perplexed by their approach, particularly the decision to wait so long before formalising their interest in Caicedo.
“For Liverpool to miss out in the £115 million chase for Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo is galling for Jurgen Klopp,” he told Mirror Football . “To be gazumped by Chelsea a second time, in the race for Southampton’s £58m Romeo Lavia, can only rub salt in the wound for the Kop manager.
“Klopp has been rebuilding Liverpool’s midfield after the departures of Jordan Henderson, Fabinho and James Milner, and being pipped for two hot properties worth £173m won’t help.
“But if you are prepared to break the British transfer record for Caicedo, I have to ask Liverpool: Why did you wait so long to make your move? Earlier in the summer, Chelsea were not in a position to spend so heavily because they needed to trim their bloated squad – was Caicedo not available two months ago?”
Savage added: “Klopp has now turned his attention to Stuttgart’s Japanese intenational Wataru Endo, who has a very good reputation in German football, and that might turn out to be a great move for all parties.
“But if you want to land the biggest fish in the ocean, it often helps to cast your net early.”
