'Impossible' - Romano claims Liverpool failed in pursuit of £66million boyhood Reds fan

Fabrizio Romano claimed Liverpool failed in their pursuit of Josko Gvardiol in January.

Jurgen Klopp’s side will be on cloud nine this morning, having thrashed bitter rivals Manchester United 7-0 at Anfield on Sunday.

Cody Gakpo, Darwin Nunez and Mohamed Salah each scored a brace, before the outgoing Roberto Firmino added a seventh in the closing stages, to inflict United with the heaviest defeat the fixture has ever seen.

It was a result that stunned the football world. The Anfield club have been having a tumultuous season, while Erik ten Hag’s side had come into the fixture on an 11-game unbeaten run and fresh from ending a six-year trophy drought.

However, six second-half Liverpool goals saw United suffer their joint-heaviest ever competitive defeat, alongside 7-0 losses to Wolves in December 1931, Aston Villa in December 1930 and Blackburn Rovers in April 1926.

While Liverpool have finally tasted some much-needed success on the pitch, Fabrizio Romano detailed the club’s transfer frustration off it.

Liverpool’s pursuit of Gvardiol

Romano claimed Liverpool made a January approach to sign Gvardiol but were unable to convince RB Leipzig to sell the 21-year-old.

The transfer guru added however that the Reds were still interested in snapping up the Croatia international in the summer.

Romano explained on his Youtube channel: “From what I understand, Liverpool approached Leipzig in January to understand the conditions of the deal and it was almost impossible to sign Gvardiol in January.

“But Liverpool have an interest in Josko Gvardiol, he is a player they appreciate.”

Gvardiol, who transfermarkt value at £66million, has in the past admitted his boyhood allegiance to Liverpool.

When asked what club he wanted to join as a youngster, Gvardiol told Danas: "That would definitely be Liverpool.

“Since I was little, I watched a lot of Liverpool matches with my dad, and we covered every season in detail. It is a club that has remained in my heart."

Topics: Football, Transfers, Josko Gvardiol, Liverpool, Premier League, Jurgen Klopp, Manchester United

Chris Byfield

Sport journalist with experience writing on football, rugby, boxing and the Olympics. I'm also a Crystal Palace fan. Please don't hold this against me.