Jurgen Klopp attempted to sign Leicester City left back, and new England international, Ben Chilwell in 2016, according to the Liverpool Echo.
The now 21-year-old, who made his Three Lions debut against Switzerland on Tuesday, was coming off the back of a season on loan at Huddersfield Town, and was recommended to Klopp by Terriers manager David Wagner.
The Reds saw Chilwell as long-term competition for Alberto Moreno on the left side of the defence, and made a bid of £5million plus £2million in add-ons, which was rejected.
It is understood Liverpool were priced out of a move by Leicester, however, and would go on to sign current incumbent Andy Robertson from Hull City a year later.
OPINION
All’s well that ends well, eh? The conclusion of this story is that both teams ended up with their long-term starting left back, so everyone’s a winner. It would have been interesting to have seen Chilwell’s development under Klopp, but he’s done alright for himself at Leicester without the German’s guiding touch. Robertson, on the other hand, has made the left back position his own at Anfield and become Scotland captain in the process. There likely won’t be too many Liverpool fans upset that they didn’t secure Chilwell’s signature, as Robertson has made them forget about their past troubles at left back. It tells you how highly Klopp values his friend Wagner’s opinion, though, that he was willing to sanction this signing merely off of his compatriot’s recommendation. The Huddersfield boss clearly has a good eye for talent, as Chilwell has gone on to be a big success at the King Power Stadium.
