Report: Liverpool targeted Raphael Guerreiro last summer

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Liverpool reportedly considered a raid on Jurgen Klopp’s old club Borussia Dortmund last summer for defender Raphael Guerreiro.

According to a long read article on Liverpool’s recruitment from The Independent, Reds officials debated making a move for the Portugal international as potential cover for Andy Robertson.

Apparently Guerreiro would have cost in the region of £17 million, and would have agreed to wages of about £60,000-a-week at Anfield.

But ultimately the club decided against the move and instead figured James Milner and Joe Gomez would be able to provide sufficient cover.

The club also wanted to trust the development of Yasser Larouci, who made his first-team debut last month against Everton in the FA Cup.

Guerreiro has been a regular for Dortmund this term, alternating between left-back and left-wing positions for the third-placed Bundesliga side.

So far he’s made 22 appearances, contributing three goals and four assists.

TBR’s view – No great loss

It was actually a bit of a risk for Liverpool to head into the season with Andy Robertson as the only natural and experienced left-back option.

Milner has obviously filled in many times before but a left-footed option probably wouldn’t have gone amiss at the time.

That said, Liverpool’s decision not to press ahead with a move for Guerreiro has been vindicated in some style, with Robertson playing practically every game and the Reds blowing almost every team away this season.

Perhaps it’ll be something for the Reds to revisit next summer – Guerreiro is a decent player who is still a few years away from his peak, and his versatility is something that could appeal to Klopp.