Liverpool were offered ‘unstoppable’ player last summer before he joined Manchester United

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Liverpool face Manchester United later today in a game that could be one of the most one-sided of the entire season in the Premier League.

The Reds head into this afternoon’s clash at Anfield top of the Premier League with Arne Slot’s side having the chance to go eight points clear of Arsenal with a game in hand if they can manage a win against United, who have lost five of their last six games in the Premier League.

With Chris Sutton predicting Liverpool to hit double digits against United, the Merseyside giants will believe they can repeat their famous 7-0 win against the Red Devils from two years ago or potentially go one step further.

Yet one player who is likely to feature for United could have ended up at Liverpool had things gone differently last summer.

Liverpool offered Manuel Ugarte before Manchester United move

According to the Times, Liverpool were offered the chance to sign Uruguay international Manuel Ugarte before the midfielder opted to join United, where the South American has this season become a key player for the Red Devils.

Lauded by Bruno Fernandes as ‘unstoppable’ after United’s 2-1 win against Manchester City as per United In Focus, the former Sporting Lisbon star has been a rare transfer success story for the Red Devils since joining last summer.

However, with Ryan Gravenberch developing into one of the best midfielders in England under Slot this season, Liverpool will not feel too annoyed about rejecting the chance to sign Ugarte given how good the Reds’ midfield options have been.

Indeed, Gravenberch was compared to Patrick Vieira by Jamie Redknapp on the same day Ugarte was announced as a United player, and since then, the Dutch international has only gone from strength to strength under Slot.

Liverpool made the right decision not signing Urgarte last summer

Although Ugarte clearly was a target for Liverpool in the summer transfer window, the Reds made the right call on passing up the option to sign the Uruguay international and to instead give Gravenberch a chance in the no. 6 role.

Not only have Liverpool found a diamond in the rough with the Dutch youngster, but the Reds have potentially landed on a player who could play in the midfield for the next ten years or so, such is the 22-year-old’s quality and potential.

Indeed, Gravenberch has been one of the standout players in the Premier League this season, and although Liverpool could still do with a midfielder this January for depth, the former Bayern Munich man has this campaign become a star for the Reds.