Liverpool did try to solve their right-back problem before the transfer window closed.
But Chelsea wanted too much.
According to Football Insider, Liverpool were priced out of a deadline-day move for Malo Gusto, with Chelsea valuing the French right-back at around £75 million.
Liverpool wanted a loan with an option to buy.
Chelsea wanted either a permanent transfer or a loan that included an obligation to buy.
And ultimately, the two clubs couldn’t agree.
Liverpool wanted Gusto
This is important because Liverpool’s interest wasn’t simply a rumour that appeared out of nowhere.
The Reds made a late approach for Gusto as they looked for another option at right-back.
Liverpool were reportedly prepared to explore a loan, but Chelsea weren’t interested in allowing him to leave on those terms. Other reports also confirm that Liverpool’s late loan approach collapsed because Chelsea wanted a permanent deal.
That left Liverpool with a choice.
Pay Chelsea’s asking price.
Agree to an obligation to buy.
Or walk away.
They walked away.
Was £75m too much?
For me, yes.
Gusto is a talented young right-back and I would have liked Liverpool to bring him in.
But £75 million is an enormous amount of money.
Liverpool have already spent heavily this summer, and paying that sort of fee for Gusto would have represented another major investment in a position where there are already players at the club.
Chelsea knew they were in a strong negotiating position.
And Liverpool clearly weren’t prepared to meet their demands.
That’s understandable.
But here’s the frustrating part
Liverpool needed another right-back.
That hasn’t suddenly changed.
Conor Bradley has had injury problems, while Jeremie Frimpong hasn’t exactly convinced everyone defensively since arriving at Anfield.
The fact Liverpool were still trying to bring in a right-back on deadline day tells you that the club knew there was an issue.
And that’s what frustrates me.
Why did it take until deadline day to try to solve it?
If Gusto was considered a realistic target, surely Liverpool could have explored the possibility much earlier.
Instead, the club ended up making a late attempt when Chelsea had absolutely no reason to compromise.
The loan made sense
I actually understand Liverpool’s preferred structure.
A loan with an option to buy would have allowed Liverpool to bring Gusto into Iraola’s squad, assess him over the season and then decide whether to make the move permanent.
It would have reduced the immediate financial risk.
Chelsea wanted something different.
They wanted Liverpool to commit.
And that’s where the negotiations broke down.
Liverpool now have to live with the decision
There’s no point complaining about Chelsea’s valuation.
They are entitled to put whatever price they want on their player.
Liverpool simply decided that £75m wasn’t worth paying.
But that decision means Iraola has to work with the options already available.
That’s the important part.
Liverpool didn’t solve the right-back problem.
They didn’t bring in another specialist.
And the club now has to hope that Bradley returns quickly, Frimpong improves defensively and the squad can cope when either player isn’t available.
Szoboszlai can provide an emergency solution.
Araújo can cover there.
But neither changes the fact that Liverpool would probably have benefited from having another natural option.
Could Liverpool return for Gusto?
I wouldn’t rule it out.
The fact Liverpool were interested in a loan suggests they like the player.
And Chelsea’s £75m valuation could potentially change if circumstances change.
Liverpool also now have until the January window to assess exactly how serious the problem becomes.
If Frimpong improves and Bradley returns without further problems, perhaps the decision will look perfectly sensible.
But if Liverpool continue to struggle defensively from the right, people will inevitably look back at deadline day and ask why the club didn’t find another solution.
My verdict
I’m actually glad Liverpool didn’t panic and pay £75m just because it was deadline day.
That’s not how a well-run club should operate.
But I’m frustrated that Liverpool left themselves in a position where they were trying to solve an important squad problem at the last minute.
The club clearly recognised that right-back needed attention.
They tried to bring in Gusto.
Chelsea wanted £75m and a much stronger commitment.
Liverpool said no.
I don’t blame Liverpool for refusing to pay £75m.
But now they have to prove they were right.
Because if the right-back position becomes a major weakness this season, that late-night failure to land Gusto will be remembered.
Liverpool were priced out of Malo Gusto.
Now let’s hope they don’t end up paying the price on the pitch.
Jamie (The Kopite View)
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