Liverpool manager rues missed chance to sign £35m Arsenal star

Alexis Sanchez
Alexis Sanchez

Arsenal's Alexis Sanchez (right) celebrates

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers expressed ‘bitter disappointment’ at failing to sign Alexis Sanchez in the summer transfer window. The Reds were heavily linked with the Chilean and were in contention to sign him from Barcelona but Sanchez joined Arsenal in a £35m deal. Sanchez has been Arsenal’s standout player having scored 14 goals in 24 appearances for the Gunners and has already established his mark in the Premier League.

It’s a case of ‘what might have been’ for Liverpool had they sign Sanchez, who according to Rodgers would have been the ideal replacement for Luis Suarez. The Reds have been well below par this season after having finished fourth last season. But Rodgers said that missing out on Sanchez was a ‘critical blow’ for Liverpool.

When asked what it meant like on missing out on the Chilean, the Reds manager said, “Sanchez was identified for us as someone who would have been a key signing and really just a roll on to what we had with Luis Suarez. He is a world-class player and was regarded as somebody who could come here and be perfect for us. He is a brilliant footballer with outstanding quality and even bigger work-rate, so to not get him was obviously bitterly disappointing.”

Liverpool poor form this season have seen them lie on 11th place after 16 games with just 21 points in their kitty. Arsenal are currently sixth with 26 points and travel to Anfield for Sunday’s blockbuster encounter. It remains to be seen if the Gunners can roll past Liverpool to silence the Kop with Sanchez getting on the score-sheet. Afterall, Liverpool’s pain is Arsenal’s gain

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