By ABDI RASHID, SPORTS REPORTER
Published: 06:48 EDT, 29 August 2025 | Updated: 06:48 EDT, 29 August 2025
Liverpool came agonisingly close to landing Son Heung-min before his switch to Tottenham, according to the club's former director of research.
Earlier this month, Son departed Tottenham after a decade in north London, closing a chapter in which he became one of the Premier League's most prolific forwards.
But things could have turned out very differently after Liverpool's data-driven recruitment team identified both Roberto Firmino and Son as their top attacking targets under Brendan Rodgers in 2015.
Firmino arrived but Son slipped through the net after Rodgers pushed for Christian Benteke despite repeated warnings he wasn't the right stylistic fit.
Speaking on Running the Game former Liverpool director of research Ian Graham recalled: 'In an alternative timeline, Son and Firmino would be Liverpool's frontline.
'Firmino and Son were our one and two choices for strikers, but Son ended up going to Spurs and we got Christian Benteke instead.'
Liverpool came agonisingly close to landing Son Heung-min before his switch to Tottenham
Son departed Tottenham this summer after a decade and 173 goals across for the club
Son slipped through the net at Liverpool after Brendan Rodgers pushed for Christian Benteke
Graham added: 'Yeah, yeah. A different style of player. Which is fine, the manager wanted that style at the time. Even at Spurs I loved him.'
Benteke went on to spend just one season at Anfield after scoring nine goals in 29 Premier League appearances for the Reds.
In contrast, Son went on to score more than 173 goals for Tottenham, winning the Premier League Golden Boot in 2021–22.
He also captained Spurs to their first trophy in 17 years last season, lifting the Europa League
The South Korean has since joined MLS side LAFC, but paid an emotional tribute to Spurs fans before departing.
He said: 'Dear Spurs fans, you're always in my pictures. Every time I celebrate I make a memory of you. It's our moment. I make the frame, so I don't forget.'
'You welcomed me to north London, you watched me grow. Beautiful moments; the Golden Boot, the Puskas award... you were there. When I suffered you were still there. You stayed with me and I stayed with you.
'I never imagined captaining this team, but I always dreamed that I would win something for you. We won the Europa League, and you all deserve it. Thank you for these years. Keep every picture. You were always in the frame. Thank you so much, love Sonny.'