Duje Caleta-Car may have been ‘disappointed’ to miss out on a January move to Liverpool, with former France star Manuel Amoros critical of the Marseille defender’s form, while speaking to L’Equipe via Le10 Sport.
Before turning to Ben Davies and Ozan Kabak, a classy Croatia international appeared to be the most likely arrival at Anfield during the final few hours of the winter window.
As reported by RMC, Caleta-Car was ready to board a private jet and make the trip from Marseille to Merseyside.
But, after L’OM failed to find a replacement, the deal was scrapped at the 11th hour.
It would be understandable, then, if the former Red Bull Salzburg starlet was left feeling that he had just spent an hour on a spin cycle.
Caleta-Car has been a shadow of his former self in recent few weeks too, sent off during the 3-3 Ligue 1 draw with Montpellier last weekend.
All that deadline-day drama appears to have left a lasting impression on the £20 million ace.
“He disappoints me. He is sluggish, I saw him operating at a higher level,” said Amoros, the 82-capped France international, before suggesting that Caleta-Car is struggling to adapt to a more ambitious style of play introduced by Jorge Sampaoli at Marseille.
“In this new system, you have to be attentive to movement, mark the opponent tightly and this is not the case.
“Maybe he was disappointed that he did not sign for Liverpool in the winter, but he needs to move on and not forget the club who are paying him, even in the summer.
“Put him on the bench and let his competitors play a bit. That could allow him to refocus.”
With Kabak’s loan spell coming to an end soon, and with Davies yet to make an appearance under Jurgen Klopp, there is still a chance that Caleta-Car will be back on Liverpool’s radar before long.
If the centre-back wants to seal a belated move to the Premier League giants, he will need to rediscover his form – and fast.
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