Potential star players that Klopp wanted to sign in desperation

The star of one of Jurgen Klopp's longest-running transfer sagas is expected to play today in a World Cup round of 16 match, but many Liverpool supporters may not even be aware of it. Piotr Zielinski switched from Liverpool to Napoli in 2016, where he went on to establish himself as a major member of the Italian team by making over 300 appearances and scoring an astounding 46 goals.

At age 28, Zielinski has also cemented his place among the best players in his nation. He has 77 caps overall, but his appearance against France in Poland's first game outside the World Cup group stages since 1986 may be his most significant, During a loan stint at Empoli from another Serie A team Udinese, the midfielder pleased Liverpool's recruitment team

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Managed by Michael Edwards and backed by Klopp, with his strong-running and creativity. In reality, the Reds' interest in Zielinski was nothing new. The youngster was followed while still a teen, but he remained with the local club Zaglebie Lubin until transferring to Udinese at the age of just 17, but Zielinski, who was seen 

Sporting a Liverpool jersey amid the transfer controversy, was eager, and Klopp was determined, Eventually, a bid of £11.75 million was submitted. However, Udinese turned it down and further complicated matters by accepting an identical offer from Napoli. Although Napoli was the player's preferred destination, AC Milan was also interested in signing him.

Newcastle and the Dutchman

But if Zielinski did well at Naples, so did the replacement Liverpool chose, Indeed, Liverpool would eventually commit £25m to sign Gini Wijnaldum from Newcastle and the Dutchman didn't take long to establish himself as the perfect component in Klopp's midfield as the Reds lifted the Champions League in 2019 and the Premier League title a year later.

With his pace, physique, work ethic, clever passing and game intelligence, Wijnaldum was his manager's dream, as capable in a defensive midfield role as he was bursting forward and initiating attacks. There was even a stint up front in the Champions League at Barcelona, his eventual departure in 2021 left Liverpool fans heartbroken and while Thiago Alcantara has shown class since moving from Bayern Munich in the same summer, Wijnaldum has been missed at times.