You just knew this would come back to bite him in the backside
Brendan Rodgers’ very definitive contention that Liverpool were not really interested in signing Memphis Depay stank of a poorly-conceived attempt at arse-covering from the moment the words left his lips, but an interview with PSV Eindhoven technical director Marcel Brands has confirmed the suspicion.
Dutch star Depay was heavily linked with Liverpool, Manchester United and PSG before finally choosing to make the €30 million move to the Red Devils.
And Brands has now confirmed that the Anfield club were indeed in talks about signing the 21-year-old Eredivisie top scorer.
‘There was a lot of interest in him. Finally we spoke with three clubs and we made contact,’ he said. ‘They knew what we wanted and then it was up to the player to choose the club where he wanted to play.
‘I didn’t speak with Brendan Rodgers. I had contact with Ian Ayre. I know there were some problems with [Daniel] Sturridge, maybe that changed the decision.’
It’s definitely not a good look for Liverpool. Whether it is the case that Rodgers has not been entirely honest in his denials or that there is a growing lack of communication amongst the club’s leading figures, it will further drain what confidence supporters still had in the club’s transfer policy and ability to rebound from a disappointing season.
