Liverpool reportedly had three back-up targets in case their transfer for Mohamed Salah failed in the summer of 2017. Liverpool were keen to sign the Egyptian, then at Roma, towards the end of a season where he scored 19 times in all competitions and provided 15 assists.
However, the Reds were reportedly aware that the Serie A club could play hardball in an attempt to hike up former Chelsea flop Salah’s price.
And the Liverpool Echo claim the Anfield outfit wanted something to fall back on, should their move for Salah not come to fruition.
It’s reported that Douglas Costa, Keita Balde and Gelson Martins were all assessed as negotiation stretched on for weeks. Those options were not needed though with Liverpool eventually securing a deal for
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