23 Jan 2016

Transfer Truth: Carra confirms Liverpool almost signed 'terrific' £14m goal-machine. Better than Benteke?

A year ago, Liverpool were reportedly offered the chance to sign 'terrific' Sunderland striker Jermain Defoe, and according to Reds legend Jamie Carragher, Defoe has been on LFC's radar several times in the past.

In a recent column for the Liverpool Echo, Carra confirmed:

"[Kenny] Dalglish [considered] signing Defoe in January 2012 as he knew he'd guarantee goals. Rafa Benitez also considered him in 2006 but chose Bellamy instead".

Ex-Reds David Thompson, and Mark Lawrenson were in favour of Liverpool signing Defoe:

* Oct 2014: Thompson raved: "I would love to see Defoe come to Anfield in the [transfer] window. He still has plenty of legs, and would really add to the squad"

* Dec 2014: Lawro told the BBC: "He [Defoe] always get goals. I can imagine a number of clubs being interested in him. I wonder if Liverpool are among them - stranger things have happened."

Defoe* may be 33, but he's on fire for Sunderland this season, and with 12 goals in 15 games so far (including 9 in the Premier League) he is currently making a mockery of Liverpool's ridiculously expensive attacking players.

If Liverpool had signed Defoe last year, I'm sure he would've been a better option that Balotelli, Borini, and Lambert, and looking at his goal record this season, he could've been an asset for the Reds' injury-plagued squad.

That said, I'm actually glad Brendan Rodgers ignored Defoe; in my view, he's just not a 'Liverpool-type' player, and like Joe Cole (and, to an extent, Raheem Sterling), Defoe is a journeyman Londoner with no real interest in/affinity for Liverpool FC.

The Defoe ship has sailed now, but imagine what might've been if Benitez signing him back in 2006 at the age of 23...

* Current deal reportedly worth £14m over 3 years.

Author: Jaimie K


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