Liverpool have made a final attempt to bring Malo Gusto to Anfield on loan, but the move has ultimately been unsuccessful.
According to Fabrice Hawkins, Liverpool pushed to sign the Chelsea full-back today, but their proposal was rejected.
The biggest issue appears to have been the structure of the deal.
Liverpool were only prepared to consider a loan without a mandatory purchase clause, while Chelsea wanted a permanent transfer.
And that left the Reds unable to get the deal done.
Liverpool wanted Gusto
The fact Liverpool made a final push for Gusto tells us plenty about their thinking.
The Reds have had concerns at full-back for some time, and Gusto would have provided another option in an area where Liverpool arguably need strengthening.
He’s young, athletic and has Premier League experience.
A loan would also have made sense from Liverpool’s perspective.
They could have brought him in immediately without committing to another huge permanent transfer fee after an incredibly expensive summer.
But Liverpool couldn’t afford Chelsea’s demands
This is the part that will frustrate supporters.
According to Hawkins, Liverpool simply didn’t have the financial means to complete a permanent deal.
That is quite a statement considering the money Liverpool have spent this summer.
The club have invested heavily in players such as Alexander Isak and Bradley Barcola, while also bringing in several other new faces.
But that spending has consequences.
Liverpool can’t simply keep spending £50m, £60m or £70m on every position they want to improve.
Eventually, there has to be a limit.
And it appears Gusto was where that limit was reached.
Why wouldn’t Chelsea accept a loan?
From Chelsea’s perspective, it’s easy to understand.
They wanted a permanent transfer.
If they don’t consider Gusto an important part of their plans, selling him permanently makes far more sense than sending him out on loan and waiting another year to decide his future.
Liverpool wanted a temporary solution.
Chelsea wanted a permanent exit.
The two positions were simply too far apart.
And this brings us back to the full-back problem
This is what worries me.
Liverpool supporters have been talking about the need for another full-back for a long time.
Gary Neville recently said he was amazed Liverpool hadn’t added two full-backs because he believes they need them.
And after the opening games of the season, I can understand why people are concerned.
The club have made huge investments elsewhere on the pitch, but full-back remains an area where the squad doesn’t look completely convincing.
Now Gusto has been ruled out.
Was a loan actually the sensible option?
I think it was.
Liverpool already have an enormous amount of money committed to the squad.
If Chelsea weren’t prepared to negotiate a straightforward loan, Liverpool were right not to panic and pay a huge permanent fee simply because they needed another full-back.
A loan would have given Iraola another option without adding another major long-term financial commitment.
But it also highlights a problem.
Liverpool wanted the player, but couldn’t afford the deal Chelsea wanted.
The summer spending has consequences
This is where Liverpool’s summer needs to be looked at as a whole.
The club have spent enormous amounts on their new-look squad.
Isak alone cost around £125m.
Barcola arrived for around £123m.
Those are statement signings.
But when you spend that kind of money, you have to make sacrifices elsewhere.
And perhaps Gusto is one of those sacrifices.
Liverpool have made the decision to prioritise certain positions.
Now Iraola has to work with the squad that remains.
My verdict
I’m disappointed this one hasn’t happened because I think Gusto could have been a useful addition.
But I don’t blame Liverpool for refusing to enter into a permanent deal they couldn’t comfortably afford.
The bigger concern is that Liverpool knew full-back was an area that needed attention.
They have now made a final attempt for Gusto and failed.
So what’s next?
If there isn’t another realistic option available, Iraola may have to find solutions internally.
And that brings us back to the same question we’ve been asking for weeks:
Have Liverpool done enough to give Iraola the squad he needs?
They’ve spent a fortune on attacking talent.
They’ve made some huge statement signings.
But if the full-back positions remain a weakness, it could become one of the biggest issues of Liverpool’s season.
Gusto won’t be coming to Anfield.
Liverpool now need to make sure they have another plan.
Jamie (The Kopite View)
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