11 players Liverpool missed out on – and who they signed instead

The current Liverpool hierarchy is known for being a tough bargain when it comes to signing new players - and supporters are sometimes disappointed when transfers fall through.

Liverpool have "officially" pulled out of the race to sign Jude Bellingham in the summer of 2023.

But their overall strategy worked quite well, with the Reds winning the Champions League in 2019 and a first English top-flight title in three decades in 2020 before finishing the set under Jurgen Klopp by winning both the Champions League the League and FA Cup in 2022.

And it wasn't just under FSG ownership that Liverpool missed out on top names and were forced to settle for the next best options.

We've taken a look at 11 deals the Reds came incredibly close to completing in the Premier League era to see what happened next.

Aurelien Tchouameni

Liverpool had targeted Monaco and French midfielder Tchouameni as the solution to their longstanding midfield problems last summer.

But he opted to join European champions Real Madrid instead, and the Reds resorted to the deadline to sign Arthur Melo on loan.

They have seen their problems at the center of the park go from bad to worse since then.

Teddy Sheringham

Former Liverpool boss Roy Evans wanted to sign a 29-year-old Sheringham from Tottenham in 1995 to add experience to a young squad of Robbie Fowler, Steve McManaman and Jamie Redknapp.

"I had the opportunity to bring in Teddy, but the club's transfer policy prohibited players over the age of 28," Evans told The Anfield Wrap in 2011. "He went to play until I was 38, or was it 48!< /p>

"But we needed that experience. We had John Barnes, a bit of Rushie, but we needed a little more with those young players.

"Teddy was a great player and knew when to party and when to play and he could have told those kids 'Now is the right time, this is the wrong time' - that kind of help for Barnesy and Rushie could have disappeared very low."

Sheringham, who actually played until the age of 42, joined Manchester United instead, winning the treble in 1999 and the PFA Player of the Year in 2001. Liverpool turned to Stan Collymore , who had been there. 1997.

READ: Roy Evans talks about Liverpool frustration, attacking football and struggle against Man Utd

Lee Bowyer

It may not be a buzzing name, but Bowyer was the catalyst for Leeds United's midfield in their run to the Champions League semi-finals in 2001.

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The England international's time at a selection at Elland Road, however, had been mired in controversy as he faced trial after being charged with GBH.

But Liverpool were ready to give Bowyer a chance to revive his career, only to be put off by the player's indifference during contract negotiations in the summer of 2002.

"I couldn't believe Lee Bowyer hadn't jumped at the chance to play for Liverpool FC," wrote Phil Thompson in his autobiography.

"Better players than him would have walked to Anfield. We had a big commitment on our side, but it was all one way."

Bowyer eventually joined West Ham in January 2003, where he was relegated, while the Reds opted for Salif Diao, who failed to recreate his heroics at the 2002 World Cup.

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READ: A forensic analysis of Salif Diao's magnificent goal in the 2002 World Cup

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