Latest Liverpool transfer news as former rumoured left back 'target' Alphonso Davies suffers a devastating injury blow
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Bayern Munich left-back Alphonso Davies.
Bayern Munich left-back Alphonso Davies.(Image: Boris Streubel/Getty Images)
Liverpool-linked left-back Alphonso Davies has torn his anterior cruciate ligament. The full-back is now set for 'a lengthy spell' on the sidelines in order to complete his recovery.
The Bayern Munich star was tentatively linked with a move to Anfield earlier his season as he was due to become a free agent before agreeing a new deal with the Bundesliga side. A serial Bundesliga champion and Champions League winner in Germany, such a valuable asset only two months ago found himself in the same position as Trent Alexander-Arnold, Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk.
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Yet before any club such as the Reds, Manchester United or Real Madrid could act upon his signing, the full-back agreed fresh terms for a long-term commitment with Bayern.
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Now with the added benefit of hindsight, Liverpool can look back on that decision as a bullet dodged, even if the transfer would have been at no cost.
In a statement, it was confirmed on Wednesday: "FC Bayern will be without Alphonso Davies for a lengthy period following the international break.
"Davies was diagnosed with a torn cruciate ligament in his right knee following his return from international duty with the Canadian national team and will undergo surgery today. The 24-year-old will not be available to play for the German record champions for several months."
Canada had won their friendly against the United States 2-1, which another statement, this time from the player's agent Nedal Huoseh via Philipp Kessler, makes clear that Davies should have not played.
"I was surprised that he started because he had communicated he wasn’t good to start. A source within CSA (Canadian FA) told me Friday night Alphonso wouldn’t start but might get a few minutes. I told them he shouldn’t play at all," it read.
On manager Jesse Marsch, it was added: "In my opinion he should have managed the situation better, this could have been 100 percent preventable.
"The national team shouldn’t make emotional decisions based on individual success. I know it was a match against the USA and there was a lot of motivation to win but players health should come first. National teams need to do a better job protecting the players."
Plenty has been made of Liverpool's left back berth throughout Arne Slot's first season at the helm. Andy Robertson is now 31 years of age and Kostas Tsimikas, 28, has always acted as his understudy.
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This season the new head coach has rotated between the pair with still Robertson mainly keeping favour, though looking ahead towards summer it has been one area of the squad tipped to be addressed when transfer business resumes.
Therefore from this injury to Davies after he chose to stay with Bayern, it could be viewed as a clean getaway for the Reds from a potential deal.
In a hypothetical set of circumstances they could have been working on his signing had he not renewed or at least singled him out ahead of other potential targets, a decision that would have gone up in smoke with this devastating injury blow.