Leipzig, Germany. 21st July, 2022. Soccer: Test matches, RB Leipzig – FC Liverpool at the Red Bull Arena. Liverpool’s coach Jurgen Klopp shakes hands with Leipzig’s Konrad Laimer. Liverpool won with 0:5. Credit: Jan Woitas/dpa/Alamy Live News
Leipzig, Germany. 21st July, 2022. Soccer: Test matches, RB Leipzig – FC Liverpool at the Red Bull Arena. Liverpool’s coach Jurgen Klopp shakes hands with Leipzig’s Konrad Laimer. Liverpool won with 0:5. Credit: Jan Woitas/dpa/Alamy Live News
Jurgen Klopp has revealed his attempts to sign a new No. 6 for Liverpool in 2022, only for Konrad Laimer to instead join Bayern Munich for free a year later.
Laimer emerged as a target for Liverpool four years ago, with Klopp seeking another No. 6 to lighten the load on Fabinho.
RB Leipzig blocked any move at the time, and with Jordan Henderson joining Thiago Alcantara, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain on the injury list, an emergency loan was sealed for Arthur Melo.
It left Klopp disappointed, and though Liverpool maintained their interest, Laimer went on to join Bayern as a free agent in 2023.
There, he has established himself as a regular at right-back and left-back, with Klopp reflecting on Laimer’s change of roles and his attempts to sign him four years ago while on punditry duty at the World Cup.
“What I can say about Laimer is that, in my team, he would play as a No. 6,” he told MagentaTV before Austria’s 2-0 loss to Argentina.
“I wanted to bring him to Liverpool to play that role. But then he went to Bayern.”
What happened after Liverpool’s failed Laimer pursuit?
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, April 22, 2023: Liverpool's Arthur Melo seen before the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Nottingham Forest FC at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, April 22, 2023: Liverpool's Arthur Melo seen before the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Nottingham Forest FC at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Liverpool’s deal for Arthur Melo was an ill-fated one, with the Brazilian only making one, 13-minute appearance, as injury and competition for places saw him play more often for the U21s – who he featured for three times.
It wasn’t until the following summer – which saw Laimer complete his move to Bayern – that Liverpool’s midfield issues were truly addressed with a combined £149.5 million spend on Dominik Szoboszlai, Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister and Wataru Endo.
Despite Gravenberch being converted into the role, Mac Allister spending time there under Klopp and Endo providing experienced cover, it is widely acknowledged that Liverpool still haven’t replaced Fabinho three years on from his move to Al-Ittihad.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Thursday, October 5, 2023: Liverpool's goal-scorer Ryan Gravenberch (R) shakes hands with manager Jürgen Klopp as he is substituted during the UEFA Europa League Group E matchday 2 game between Liverpool FC and Union SG at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Thursday, October 5, 2023: Liverpool's goal-scorer Ryan Gravenberch (R) shakes hands with manager Jürgen Klopp as he is substituted during the UEFA Europa League Group E matchday 2 game between Liverpool FC and Union SG at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Laimer may have provided that solution, but instead the focus is on adding a top-level No. 6 this summer – with Adam Wharton now seemingly dropping down the list of targets.
Speaking soon after his proposed switch to Anfield fell through in 2022, Laimer admitted he had “always been a Liverpool fan.”
He played the full 90 minutes on Monday as a left-back, often finding himself up against Lionel Messi – whose brace saw him eclipse Miroslav Klose as the all-time top World Cup goalscorer.
Klopp embraced Messi at full-time before insisting on Mac Allister giving him his shirt.
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Football – English Football League Trophy – Northern Group H – Burton Albion FC v Liverpool FC Under-21’s
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Mac Allister, Klopp shirt circle colalge
Mac Allister, Klopp shirt circle colalge