As Liverpool approach their first summer transfer window under Arne Slot, it’ll be interesting to see how they go about things.
With Michael Edwards now running point, the Reds are well equipped to ensure they handle the transition away from Jurgen Klopp’s leadership.
Of course, it helps matters that Liverpool are still such an attractive proposition to potential players. Klopp may no longer be able to use his magnetic pull, but who wouldn’t want to play in front of a raucous Anfield crowd as a Liverpool player?
The Reds’ crowd has been lucky enough to call some top, top players their own over the years. From the majesty of Mohamed Salah to the raw, edge-of-the-seat talent of Luis Suarez.
But it’s also true that Liverpool have let some big names slip through their fingers in the transfer market. Luis Figo recently opened up on how Rafa Benitez fumbled his own move in 2005. And now, although a transfer was never seemingly close, another big player of the 2000’s has admitted he’d have loved to join, too.
Cesc Fabregas admits Liverpool wish
15 or 20 years ago, Liverpool weren’t quite the same club they are today. Before FSG’s ownership, things were a little more rudimentary at Anfield.
The team obviously had some success under Benitez in particular, but by and large the Reds trailed far behind the likes of Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United.
As a result, they weren’t always able to attract top-tier talent such as Cesc Fabregas. The silky Spaniard was one of the best midfielders of his generation.
A teenage superstar with Arsenal, Fabregas would go on to win a World Cup and two Euros with Spain before joining Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona. From there he moved to Chelsea, winning two Premier League’s an FA Cup and a League Cup.
But asked which fan base is the best by SPORTbible on X, Fabregas admitted that he’d always wanted to experience being a Liverpool player.
“One that I would have liked to have experienced as being a player of that team would have been the Liverpool fans,” says the 36-year-old. “In a cup game or in a semi-final of the Champions League at Anfield. Why not, yeah, once I would have liked to experience it.”
Where could Fabregas have fitted in at Liverpool
Fabregas always comes across as an incredibly thoughtful footballer. Just like his compatriot and former Liverpool star Xabi Alonso, you could see his brain whirring during games.
Having now turned his hand to management and punditry, Fabregas can often be found speaking warmly about Liverpool these days.
During his playing career though, the truth is that the Barcelona youth team graduate was always out of the Reds reach. But had he joined, it’s easy to see how he could have slotted in.
Liverpool fans often sang that they had ‘the best midfield in the world’ during those days. As the ditty went, they had Xabi Alonso, Momo Sissoko, Gerrard and Mascherano.
As good as Sissoko was at that time though, stick Fabregas in there and that’s one of the best midfield’s of all time. What a shame we never saw it happen. Having embarked on a coaching career though, maybe Fabregas will get his chance at Anfield one day.
