Former Manchester United player Quinton Fortune has claimed that he was absolutely gutted when Luis Diaz joined Liverpool.
In an interview with The Athletic, Fortune claimed that he had been watching Diaz ‘for months and years’ hoping that United would take him to Old Trafford.
“As much as we don’t want to say it, Liverpool – every time they sign a player, you are thinking, ‘Wow, they look like they have done their homework’,” he said.
“Take Luis Diaz. I had been watching him for the last few months and years, thinking, ‘Oh my goodness, this is the player United need to sign’. Then Liverpool sign him and you are just thinking, ‘Nooo! How are we missing these players? Come on! Help me out here!”
I think half the Premier League are feeling just the same Quinton, but he’s ours now!
Everything in balance at Liverpool
The Reds’ recruitment department is often hailed as one of the best in the game. Judging by the sheer number of teams who seemed to be circling Diaz though, his talents were far from secret.
Tottenham Hotspurs advances are well-reported. Along with Spurs, West Ham were also said to be keen on the Colombian (Goal).
Perhaps his signing for Liverpool is more a sign of the pull of working with Jurgen Klopp over anything else. Liverpool were also reportedly able to pay off some of Porto’s debts too, which may have swung the deal in their favour (The Times).
Whatever Diaz’s reason for choosing Liverpool, it all points to just how well-run the club is in all areas. Unfortunately for United fans like Fortune, the same can’t be said for their club at this moment in time.
Despite their poor form this season, Ralf Rangnick chose not to do any business in the winter market. Even if he had followed Fortune’s advice and gone for Diaz, the disfunction at Old Trafford would likely have swallowed him up anyway.
That the 25-year-old has been able to slot straight in at Anfield is of course credit to the player himself above anything. Having said that, a player can’t hit the ground running like that at a club in disarray.
His ease at settling into life on Merseyside is another sign of the excellent balance on and off the pitch at Liverpool right now. Long may it continue.
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