Leny Yoro: The Bonus Signing Liverpool Didn’t Pursue

Leny Yoro Was Never a Priority

Despite my absolute desire to see Liverpool FC sign the teen sensation, Leny Yoro, it was always going to represent a bonus addition rather than a necessity capture this summer. We all assume that the new Anfield Head Coach, Arne Slot, will be playing with a back four and thus two centre backs, which makes the current roster well stocked. I am all for adding elite potential players, however, this should not be undertaken unless the first team is elite itself and certainly not at astronomical fees.

LCB – Virgil van Dijk / Jarell Quansah

RCB – Ibrahima Konaté / Joe Gomez

Potential – Sepp van den Berg

Despite having strong links earlier in the window to Yoro, it must be noted that various reports have surfaced for multiple players in varied positions as well. Under the CEO stewardship of Michael Edwards and his new Sporting Director, Richard Hughes, there will undoubtably be a list of wants and players of interest. To ensure all bases are covered, contact with agents and clubs of numerous assets would be undertaken to garner potential availability and cost. This endeavour by no means requires more than that, as a deal and subsequent bid will only be made if desired. Concerning the much-coveted centre half, 18-year-old Yoro, it is of course a shame to see such an exciting prospect on the brink of signing for biggest rivals, Manchester United, though it is simply not a priority to pay over the odds for a backup squad player.

When Liverpool failed in their staggering £115m pursuit of Moisés Caicedo, I was disheartened. That nearly signing would have represented the recruit of an enforcer who would have impacted the first team immediately. This most recent disappointment is very far from that disheartening saga of last summer, as it is not something that is urgently required and points to the recruitment team attempting to streamline the needs over the fan’s desires.

A very real possibility, is that the summer tournament participation of both Ibrahima Konaté and Joe Gomez, meant that injuries could well occur to either. To safe guards such a scenario for two men with a history of complaints, certain safeguards would have been put in place, only to be acted upon if required. Given neither Liverpool player participated at the European Championships, their safe return to the fold made the need to spend £63m on a teen (who would earn more than both), redundant.

What Is a Priority, If Not Leny Yoro…?

If reliable sources are to be believed, Manchester United will be investing over £125m on the French under-21 defender with fees and contract, in a staggering move that saw the likes of Liverpool and Real Madrid unwilling to entertain. Whether or not the boy becomes an elite player is very much in the balance, especially when you consider how the expensive and underwhelming Old Trafford careers of Jadon Sancho, Paul Pogba, Anthony Martial, Donny van de Beek, and Phil Jones, turned out. The Anfield giants, on the other hand, must now zero in on a defensive midfielder that can add assurance in front of the rear guard, instead of a prospect that would not impact the first team on a regular basis for a season or two. Concerning the personnel within that the defensive group, a left sided defender / fullback is most definitely required, to solidify that area of the pitch. Those two positions should be first and foremost what are brought in and if it takes the entire summer budget to get those elite level bodies through the door, then adding a £63m acquisition to sit on the bench is simply not viable. Of course, this entire drama will see the FSG out brigade assemble, whereas supposed top reds will be accused of defending the ownership and decision-making of the Fenway Sports Group. I choose to trust the decision-making abilities of a world-class operator and football executive, Michael Edwards, given his track record in building a squad to fight for major honours. The Southampton born negotiator is absolutely the man to oversee this regeneration and if he feels that walking away from a player, thereby pushing that money towards deals that can best serve the new Head Coach, Arne Slot, I fully back that thought process and eagerly await the first signing of this new era.