The one that got away.
Damien Comolli’s time as director of football at Liverpool had mixed results at best.
The Frenchman was influential in signing Luis Suarez, and deserves some credit for that alone, but the less said about Andy Carroll, Stewart Downing and Charlie Adam the better.
However, Comolli, who left the club in April 2012, could have fully redeemed himself had this transfer been pulled off.
A report from The Daily Mail in December 2010 claims Liverpool were on the verge of signing Antoine Griezmann for a mere £7m.
“We have identified targets,” Comolli, who wanted to sign the player for Saint-Étienne in 2008, said.
“If there’s a possibility of us getting a world-class player, we will have the backing. John (Henry) and Tom (Werner) want to win – and you win with top players.”
The France forward was 19-years-old at the time, and playing for Real Sociedad. Griezmann was highly rated throughout Europe, and had also been linked with moves to Manchester United and Liverpool, but remained at Sociedad until 2014.
Griezmann signed for Atletico Madrid for €30 million, and has developed into one of the most exciting attacking talents in the world. The 25-year-old scored twice against Germany in the semi-finals of Euro 2016, and has six goals in the tournament in total, ahead of Sunday’s final against Portugal.
Liverpool fans will always be wondering how the team would have fared with Griezmann and Luis Suarez up front.
