Jurgen Klopp: Why Liverpool FC didn’t sign highly-rated 22-year-old
Jurgen Klopp has admitted that Liverpool FC were interested in signing Ben Chilwell but Leicester City blocked their move for the left-back.
The Champions League winners were linked with a swoop to sign Chilwell during Klopp’s first summer transfer window at Anfield back in 2016.
The 22-year-old had broken into the Leicester team and impressed during their title-winning campaign under Claudio Ranieri.
Liverpool FC were in the market to sign a left-back to replace erratic Spanish defender Alberto Moreno.
However, Chilwell ended up signing a new five-year deal to secure his long-term future at Leicester.
Liverpool FC then signed Andy Robertson in an £8m deal from Hull City in 2017 and the Scottish star has gone on to establish himself as one of Europe’s best full-backs.
Speaking at his media conference at Melwood training ground on Friday, Klopp shed some light on Liverpool FC’s past interest in Leicester’s Chilwell.
“Ben, I first was aware of him when he was on loan at Huddersfield and Dave Wagner was pretty much in my ear every day,” Klopp said.
“But Leicester didn’t want to let him go, so he’s still there, which is good for him.
“He’s a grown-up player, he’s not a kid anymore, and football-wise, he’s exceptional.”
Liverpool FC played out a thrilling 4-3 victory over Austrian side Red Bull Salzburg in the first Champions League fixture at Anfield since their dramatic 4-0 win over FC Barcelona in the semi-finals last term.
The Reds were crowned champions of Europe last season thanks to a 2-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur in the Champions League final in Madrid back in June.
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