Considering how Liverpool supporters tore their hair out at the defensive failings of Glen Johnson last season, it will not serve as a welcome reminder that they were involved in a long-running wrangle for one Dani Alves eight years ago. Rated as one of Europes hottest young prospects following Sevillas UEFA Cup victory, Rafa Benitez was intent on landing the 23 year old defender. With Benitez a long-time admirer of the Brazilians talents, the Liverpool board were still reluctant to meet the asking price of £8 million, deeming it too steep for a right-back. Unsurprisingly, it was not the same directors who sanctioned the £17.5 million acquisition of Glen Johnson three years later. As with every good transfer saga, the players agent was in the thick of business, using a Spanish newspaper as the medium to stress how his client was attracted by a move to Liverpool. In the end, after a fraught summer of speculation, in which Chelsea met with his agent, and Real Madrid even came sniffing, Liverpool didnt budge on their £7 million offer, and Alves stayed at Sevilla for two more seasons, before his big money move to Barcelona.
Recent Journalism & New Media graduate. Insatiable thirst for all things football, and hopes to break into the field of sports journalism in the near future.
Have made a significantly insignificant playing career out of receiving several slaps around the head for not passing the ball.
