Liverpool could have signed a “fine backup player” in Manchester United midfielder Sofyan Amrabat as Redmen TV presenter Paul Machin compares him to another star signed at Anfield this summer.
Reds head coach Jurgen Klopp bolstered his options in the middle of the park during the summer transfer window.
Liverpool news – Sofyan Amrabat
In a recent interview with BBC Sport, Amrabat confirmed that he only wanted to join Manchester United despite interest from bitter rivals Liverpool. The 27-year-old first gained the attention of the Premier League giants following a string of impressive performances for Morocco during the 2022 World Cup last winter, helping the Atlas Lions become the first African nation to reach the semi-finals. He told BBC:
Despite a prolonged transfer saga, United eventually signed Amrabat from Fiorentina on a season-long loan with the obligation to buy for over £21m next summer.
Liverpool’s £34m Amrabat alternative
By the time Amrabat put pen to paper on a contract at Old Trafford, Liverpool were in the process of securing their alternative at Anfield. Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai and Wataru Endo had already come through the famous Shankly Gates, but the Reds still had one more addition up their sleeve during the summer transfer window.
On Deadline Day, Liverpool confirmed the signing of Bayern Munich midfielder Ryan Gravenberch for £34.2m, after Fabinho, Jordan Henderson, Naby Keita, James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Fabio Carvalho all departed Merseyside during the market.
The 21-year-old is keen to gain more minutes, having been starved of first-team action since his move to Bayern Munich from Ajax last summer. The Dutchman started three Bundesliga games for the German giants before moving to the Premier League and has plenty of opportunity to impress Klopp in the Premier League, Europa League and Carabao Cup.
Sky Sports claim that Liverpool’s interest in Gravenberch had been long-standing and that he was on a shortlist of three options before opting to move to Bayern in 2022. The Bavarian giants weren’t initially open to a sale, and Liverpool prioritised their failed pursuits of Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia, both choosing Chelsea over Liverpool during the summer.
But a move on Deadline Day was sealed, providing Klopp with several options in midfield this season. Machin has already suggested to GIVEMESPORT that Liverpool won’t regret signing Gravenberch over Amrabat in the long run.
Gravenberch could become an ‘absolute star’ – Paul Machin
The Redmen TV Presenter admits that Amrabat and Gravenberch don’t play the same role but thinks the latter could have a higher ceiling and become an “absolute star.”
