Rodgers: I tried to sign world-class Spanish midfielder for Liverpool

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Brendan Rodgers tried to sign a number of brilliant footballers for Liverpool, but with the Northern Irishman at the helm, we rarely got our targets over the line…

High-profile deals for Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Diego Costa, Willian, Mohamed Salah, Alexis Sanchez and Yevhen Konoplyanka all failed under Rodgers, but we’ve now got another name to add the list who eclipses nearly them all.

The Celtic boss has admitted trying to sign former Barcelona midfielder Thiago for Liverpool, ahead of his new side’s Champions League clash with Luis Enrique’s brilliant outfit this week.

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“I used to often come to see the lower categories of Barca, Nolito was in youth, Soriano in the reserves with Thiago,” he said, cited in the Echo.

“I tried to sign Thiago for Liverpool, but could not because he wanted to sign for Bayern.

“I’ve seen many games of Barca’s youth football and I love how the club works and its values.”

Thiago is a favourite of Pep Guardiola, and the kind of star who’d be loved at Anfield. He’s technically one of the very best in the business, can retain possession in tiny spaces and create chances at will.

Sadly Rodgers couldn’t get this one over the line, but considering we were not playing in the Champions League at the time, that’s hardly a surprise…

Under Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool are not necessarily trying to sign ‘big names’, but more cogs to fit the German’s system. We needed competition for Simon Mignolet – Loris Karius arrives. Physicality in midfield, Gini Wijnaldum signs. Pace out wide and Sadio Mane transfers from Southampton.

At times under Rodgers, his signings didn’t make sense, such as the Christian Benteke or Mario Balotelli deals.

Now, we’ve got a manager and coaching team who know exactly the kind of players they require, and are building a team who could possible achieve great things. That being said, if Thiago ever has a change of heart, he’d be welcomed with open arms!

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