Liverpool were linked with a move for Julian Brandt and might have missed out altogether.

Liverpool are still thanking their lucky stars they managed to sign Mohamed Salah last summer, although one report recently claimed he was not their first choice.
The Times reported Jurgen Klopp’s preference was originally Bayer Leverkusen attacker Julian Brandt.
Brandt, 21, would not have managed to replicate Salah’s 29 goals in 31 league games for Liverpool, but he is also a pretty special talent too.

He showed this last night with a starring role as Bayer Leverkusen beat Naby Keita’s RB Leipzig 4-1.
Keita was poor as Leverkusen lost, while Brandt scored one goal and set up another, creating more chances than any other players.
Brandt has scored 10 goals this season and his performance had Liverpool fans enthused about going back in for him this summer.
Liverpool’s chances of signing Julian Brandt have become a lot more tricky over the past week.
He signed a new contract at Leverkusen last week, Goal reported.
This does not mean Liverpool’s chances are over though. His previous deal was set to expire in 2019, and by extending his contract, Leverkusen are protecting themselves against losing a top asset on the cheap.
Money talks and Liverpool can still move for Brandt; but he will just cost them a lot more than he would have done last summer or in January.
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