After selling Philippe Coutinho in January, there were a host of reports saying that Liverpool were looking to get Naby Keita to join the club from RB Leipzig sooner than agreed.
The Guinean international's move to Anfield was confirmed when put pen to paper following his £48 million release being activated in the summer, though he would remain in Germany for a final season.
However, having seen Coutinho complete a £142 million switch, there was talk that they would try to bring the deal forward and have the 23-year old slot into the side mid-season.
The Guardian reported that the Reds' would have had to stump up an extra £18 million for that deal to happen, but in a fresh piece from Paul Joyce from The Times, it's claimed that only the exchange of one player would have sealed the deal.
He says that after acquiring Ademola Lookman on loan from Everton, the German outfit asked for his fellow England youngster Trent Alexander-Arnold in return.
Liverpool were not interested in that arrangement whatsoever, such is the value of their 19-year old right-back.
The local lad has made 24 appearances this season, the latest of which saw him pocket Leroy Sane in the 3-0 Champions League quarter final first leg win over Manchester City on Wednesday night.
It's not stated whether or not it would have been a loan or permanent but it's no surprise that Liverpool told Leipzig where to. In Alexander-Arnold they have their right-back berth sorted for the next 10 or so years.
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He also has the potential to be the regular right-back for the England national team and it will be interesting to see if he can force his way into the fold for the World Cup.
Gareth Southgate was in attendance to see his superb showing in the flesh at Anfield and he will have surely been impressed by what he saw.
Featured Image Credit:Topics: Liverpool, Football News, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Football, RB Leipzig, Bundesliga
