Liverpool reportedly had the opportunity to sign Manuel Ugarte this summer before the Uruguay international ultimately joined Manchester United.
Ugarte became available after struggling to make an impact at Paris Saint-Germain, despite his highly-rated performances at Sporting Lisbon earlier in his career.
It seems Manchester United viewed Ugarte as a worthwhile investment, but Liverpool decided to take a different route.
According to The Times, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp and coach Arne Slot gambled on Ryan Gravenberch instead.
Slot, who knows Gravenberch well, believed he could better utilize the Dutch midfielder’s talents rather than opting for Ugarte.
Liverpool were actively seeking a midfielder at the time and were reportedly offered Ugarte after missing out on Martin Zubimendi.
Gravenberch Proving His Worth at Liverpool
Despite a challenging season under Klopp last year and an unremarkable stint at Bayern Munich, Gravenberch is now thriving.
He has emerged as a tactically ideal fit for Slot’s Liverpool side, repaying the club’s faith in his abilities.
Ugarte, on the other hand, has had a less convincing start to life at Manchester United.
At just 23 years old, he has yet to make the desired impact at Old Trafford, suggesting Liverpool’s decision to pass on him might have been the right call.
While it may have been tempting for Liverpool to secure another midfielder after their setback with Zubimendi, betting on Gravenberch appears to have paid off.
His development under Klopp and Slot has provided a significant boost to Liverpool’s midfield dynamics.
As Ugarte continues to find his footing at United, Gravenberch is proving to be the more effective choice for Liverpool this season.