Liverpool shouldn't have ignored Haaland transfer advice

James Shearman

• Updated: 9 Feb 2023 21:03 GMT
• 3 min read

Liverpool chose to sign Cody Gakpo rather than Youssoufa Moukoko in the January transfer window, despite Erling Haaland's praise of the youngster.

Moukoko made the headlines when he became the Bundesliga's youngest ever scorer at 16 year of age.

At 18, he now has 11 league goals to his name for Borussia Dortmund's senior team, having scored an outrageous number for the youth team.

MORE: Man Utd and Liverpool to battle over Paul Mitchell

Moukoko, who was linked with a January move to Liverpool, has been described by Manchester City star Haaland as ''one of the biggest talents in the world right now.''

Yet Liverpool chose to sign Gakpo instead, on the back of an impressive World Cup for Holland.

And the Reds could regret signing the Dutchman for £35 million, not only because he has been poor but because they have now missed out on the opportunity to sign Moukoko.

The German recently signed a contract extension at Dortmund, running until 2026.

The six Liverpool players set to leave on a free transfer

The highest-profile Liverpool player whose deal expires in June 2023 is attacker Roberto Firmino.

The Brazilian is in his eighth season at Anfield and has been a key player during Jurgen Klopp’s glorious reign.

Naby Keita is also set to leave Liverpool at the end of the season, putting to an end a disastrous five-year spell at the club.

Keita joined the club for over €70m in 2018 from RB Leipzig but has been a huge flop.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is on his way out, having struggled for game-time and for fitness in recent years.

The former Arsenal man will make way as Liverpool plan to sign a number of new midfielders in the summer.

This spells bad news for two more Liverpool players. James Milner has been the ultimate professional during his eight years at the club but at the age of 37 now is the time for him to move on.

Arthur Melo is on a one-year loan from Juventus and will definitely return to Turin having failed to impress. H

Backup goalkeeper Adrian will also leave in the summer when his contract expires.