Fiorentina winger Christian Koffi has admitted that he turned down the chance to join Liverpool in the summer of 2018 when packing his bags at Monaco, while speaking to SoFoot.
Considering that Reds boss Jurgen Klopp has launched the careers of some of the most talented footballers this side of the 21st century, transforming Robert Lewandowski, Marco Reus, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Mo Salah and more into genuine world-beaters, Koffi’s decision to snub the Anfield giants might have many on Merseyside rubbing their eyes in disbelief.
But he has his reasons – and no regrets, it seems.
The Paris-born forward was presented with two offers when deciding that life in the Principality wasn’t for him two years ago. But Koffi, for whatever reason, felt that his development would be better served in Florence rather than in England’s north west.
“There are lots of things that come into play. When I was presented with the two contracts and the two sporting aspects, the choice of the Fio was the best,” Koffi explains.
“Italy was a league where I really didn’t want to go initially, because it was a little bit contrary to my football. But after talking about it with my family, I realized that Italy was going to bring me a lot. And I was not mistaken.
With the likes of Franck Ribery, Federico Chiesa and Riccardo Sotti ahead of him in the Fiorentina pecking order as it stands, Koffi is yet to establish himself in the first team at one of Italy’s biggest and best supported clubs.
Then again, as even an experienced international and Champions League winner like Xherdan Shaqiri will tell you, Liverpool are not short of stellar options out wide either.
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