Liverpool was linked with Julian Brandt back in 2017 before ultimately signing Mohamed Salah instead – and the Reds could now pursue the German forward on a free transfer, nine years on from their initial interest
12:57, 24 Jun 2026
Jurgen Klopp managed Liverpool between 2015 and 2024
Jurgen Klopp managed Liverpool between 2015 and 2024(Image: Getty Images)
Liverpool's decision to sign Mohamed Salah over Julian Brandt stands as arguably the most defining sliding doors moment in the club's recent history.
Back in the summer of 2017, then-manager Jurgen Klopp was on the hunt for a sharp-shooting winger to complete a formidable front three alongside Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane. It is understood that Klopp had his eye on German prospect Brandt, who was 21 at the time, as a potential Anfield recruit.
On paper, he seemed a natural fit for Liverpool, having chalked up 12 goal contributions across 40 appearances for Bayer Leverkusen. Yet Klopp was reportedly convinced to switch his attention to Salah, who joined the club from Roma.
Two Premier League titles, a Champions League medal and 257 goals later, the Reds' judgment looks entirely vindicated, particularly following Salah's departure this summer. Brandt eventually left Leverkusen, joining Klopp's former club Borussia Dortmund in 2019.
Now aged 30, the German is set to leave the Black and Yellows after seven seasons, during which he netted 57 times in 307 appearances, and is currently available on a free transfer. Could there be a case for Liverpool to finally make its move for Brandt, a full nine years after first being linked with the midfielder? Quite possibly.
Brandt can function across the forward line, chiefly operating in an advanced midfield position, but he can also play on either flank — a versatility Liverpool are said to be pursuing this season as Andoni Iraola seeks to rebuild his side's attacking options.
Julian Brandt is a free agent
Julian Brandt is a free agent(Image: Getty Images)
He also offers a substantial goalscoring threat. He has found the net 48 times and provided 45 assists from the left throughout his career thus far, while adding 19 goals and 14 assists from the right. He has chalked up 37 goals and a remarkable 66 assists when deployed in the No. 10 role.
As we know, fitness is just as vital given Liverpool's grueling fixture schedule. Brandt's injury history is promising, with the versatile forward having been absent for just three matches for Dortmund last season and only five the year prior.
He's also familiar with high-pressure environments. A former Germany international, Brandt burst onto the scene as a teenager, making his Leverkusen debut before his 18th birthday, and was immediately linked with Manchester United, Chelsea, and Bayern Munich, whom he reportedly turned down on two separate occasions.
Brandt also seems to have genuine character. Speaking in 2017, during Klopp's rumored interest, he told Kicker: "My gut feeling and my head are telling me the time to move has not arrived yet. I have to straighten things out in Leverkusen."
He stayed true to his word and committed for a further two seasons at the Bayer Arena.
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There is also the matter of Brandt being available on a free transfer, and in a climate where the Reds are willing to spend upwards of $100 million on the likes of RB Leipzig's Yan Diomande and PSG's Bradley Barcola, this could well be considered a no-brainer.
Klopp has played down suggestions that he pushed for Brandt over Salah in previous years, yet did concede that he had spoken to the forward. "There is always a story that I wanted to sign Julian Brandt or someone like that," Klopp told The Anfield Wrap. "The situation with that is if you go for a winger, you talk to seven or eight. Yes, we spoke to him, but we spoke to Salah."
There is little doubt that Liverpool made the right call in landing the man who will forever be revered as the Egyptian King on the Kop. Yet the very idea of Brandt potentially stepping into Salah's shoes after all this time feels so far-fetched that it could just about work.