Jamie Carragher has claimed that Liverpool have now missed their chance to sign Bukayo Saka from Arsenal.
The Reds have long been rumoured to be interested in bringing Saka to Anfield. However, that prospect currently looks like an impossiblity.
And writing in his column for The Telegraph today, Carragher claims that although Jurgen Klopp would love to have both Saka and teammate Gabriel Martinelli, it isn’t going to happen.
“Jurgen Klopp has had little cause to be envious of other squads during his Liverpool reign. He does now. He must wish half of Arteta’s team were in his starting XI,” wrote the Reds legend.
“Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli bring the lightning pace and penetration that Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane introduced to Klopp’s 4-3-3 system five years ago. Not so long ago, Klopp must have investigated if it was possible to lure the Arsenal duo to Merseyside. Suffice to say that ship has well and truly sailed.”
No reason for Liverpool to be jealous
It’s clear that Klopp is a big fan of Saka. Who isn’t right now? The 21-year-old is having a wonderful season with Arsenal.
Back when the Gunners were Premier League also-rans, it felt like Liverpool might have a chance of snatching him away. As recently as earlier this year they’ve been credited with trying to make that happen.
But with the youngster in the form of his life, and with a new contract on the way, Carra is right. The ship has sailed.
So too has the SS Martinelli. The Brazilian is another to have signed on for the long term at the Emirates having previously been linked with Liverpool.
Clearly, both would improve the Reds in their current iteration. With 25 goals and 13 assists between them in the Premier League this campaign, they’ve been two of the brightest players in the country.
Despite that, we’re still confident that Liverpool actually have better players on either wing. Purple patch or not, Mohamed Salah is better than Saka and when he returns Luis Diaz will show that he’s superior to Martinelli. When the Reds hopefully return to their best next season, we’ll see if they’re still rueing not signing these two Gunners.
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