Danish defender Riza Durmisi has been discussing how he nearly joined Liverpool in 2017, and the reason why the deal never came about.
Speaking to Tipsbladet, the Danish international confirmed that Liverpool had shown interest in his services. However, the deal fell through as Alberto Moreno would not move on from Anfield.
“It is my dream to become one of the best fullbacks in the world, and I believe that. Then there are many others who can laugh, but after my first year in Betis, you could see that something was happening. I had an official offer from Liverpool.”
“Moreno chose to stay. They had to get rid of him before it could happen, and that’s what I was waiting for. When you have as good a contract as Moreno had in Liverpool, he would stay, and I could understand that, but that he had to leave was something that had to happen before I could get there.”
It was indeed suggested that Liverpool were ready to sign Durmisi in 2017. The Daily Mail suggested the Reds had been to scout the player ahead of a potential £17 million move from Real Betis.
It came after an impressive start to life in Spain following a move from Brondby in 2016. Liverpool, at the time, were regularly using James Milner in the left-back slot and were clearly attempting to find the best potential option to strengthen the position.
In the end, Liverpool swooped on Andrew Robertson of Hull City in the following summer for just £8 million (Independent) and he has since established himself as one of the best left-backs in the world at Anfield.
Durmisi remained at Betis for one more season before joining Serie A side Lazio. The Dane has struggled in Italy, heading to French side Nice on loan in January.
Considering how one’s stock as fallen and the other’s has risen, Liverpool will be pleased Moreno stuck around for a further six months.