Brendan Rodgers was heartbreaking close to signing this game-changing forward in 2013
Former Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers was heartbreakingly close to signing game-changing forward Diego Costa in 2013.
The Reds managed to trigger the outrageously small release clause of just €25 million in Costa’s contract as Rodgers searched for a second option in attack – said Neil Jones for Goal.
Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge had combined to devastating effect the season before Liverpool met the clause in August 2013, but the gaffer reckoned the side might need another option in case defences proved stubborn.
That search led them to Costa, who would have joined the club expect he turned down their offer and signed a new deal with Atletico Madrid. The rest, they say, is history.
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Because of that decision, Rodgers and the recruitment team were left shuttling about Europe and England in search of other options. The unlikely trio of recruits that came from that effort was Iago Aspas, Mario Balotelli and Rickie Lambert.
Neither impressed. Costa may have changed the game for Liverpool and Rodgers.
Of course if the Spaniard had signed it could have meant Roberto Firmino was never recruited, as the Brazilian was brought in to replace Luis Suarez. Christian Benteke also joined around that time, but the least said about that the better.
Costa is an entirely different player to Firmino and it’s difficult to see how Jurgen Klopp would have built his team around the burly forward, but he’s definitely a winner and you could see him powering goals in for the Reds.
But mobility is now the aim of the game and the former Atletico Madrid man isn’t exactly know for his dynamic play. Maybe it worked out for the best that he chose to stay in Spain ahead of making a move to Merseyside, and we’ll never know what might have been.
Next. Four relegated players Jurgen Klopp should sign. dark
The Reds may have taken the long road to get the top. Costa could have got them there quicker, but would he have been welcome in this electric team? Doubtful.