Liverpool are reportedly unable to sign Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Moises Caicedo this month due to the Ecuador international’s price tag, with the Reds not willing to meet the youngster’s asking price.
According to the Athletic, the 21-year-old is greatly admired at Anfield and is a player who could solve a lot of Liverpool’s current issues in the midfield. However, with an expected asking price of £70m, Jurgen Klopp’s side don’t have the capacity to complete a deal.
Liverpool have already made one big signing this month in Dutch international Cody Gakpo. However, many supporters and pundits have since questioned the move as the Reds have since continued to slump in the Premier League standings.
Caicedo and Brighton condemned Liverpool to a 3-0 loss at the Amex Stadium over the weekend, leaving the Merseyside giants ninth in the league standings and ten points off Manchester United in fourth. And for many, a midfielder such as the South American could be perfect for Klopp.
Indeed, pressure is mounting at Anfield for the German manager to turn things around in the league to sign a quality midfielder in the market. However, given that Gakpo has already been brought in, Liverpool could struggle with the latter, with Caicedo now too expensive for the Reds.
In hindsight, signing Gakpo could be viewed as a poor use of limited funds given how clear Liverpool’s midfield issues were even before heading into the January transfer window. And many supporters would agree that recruiting a player like Caicedo would have been a smarter decision than an attacker.
Liverpool should have done everything to sign Moises Caicedo
With UEFA Champions League qualification seemingly off the table for this season, Liverpool should have used this January to ensure their midfield was looking youthful and healthy heading into 2023. Yet going in for Gakpo and not signing Caicedo has proven to be a potential misstep.
After all, Liverpool’s attack is one of the most well-stocked in the Premier League and wasn’t in need of additional reinforcements, whereas a move for a Caicedo or similar midfielder could have reinvigorated the Reds and spurred them on to find their form in the Premier League, not continue their slump.
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