The Merseyside club has made it a habit by buying players from Southampton; however they were not quite able to seal the deal with the recent links related to the Portuguese centre-back. And it seems like they let their biggest bargain flush down the drain after Fonte agreed terms to join West Ham.
During the weekend, the Hammers finalized the deal for Fonte for just £8million, while Liverpool were linked with him just earlier in the week. At 33, Fonte had been around a while for the Saints and in the short term, he would have bolstered Jurgen Klopps chances to push for the Premier League title if not, secure a top four place at the least.
In their last game against Swansea City, their defensive frailties came under the cusp of a 3-2 loss at Anfield and Fonte would have maybe added a solid frame in their back-line. Having starred in Portugal’s Euro 2016 triumph, the former Saints man had demonstrated himself as a sturdy, capable and accomplished defender.
And the Liverpool fans began questioning Jurgen Klopp’s decision on whether he could have been a very smart signing or not.
Here is a look at how fans reacted on Twitter to Fonte’s move to West Ham…
8 million for fonte seems like a pretty solid gamble to take and I think it would have secured us champions league for sure #LFC
— KLOPP OF TEA (@Gavlarr87) January 21, 2017
WE did had the chace to sign #fonte, sad to see we misssed on that #klopp #lfc
— Valentino (@Valentino424) January 21, 2017
Fonte for £8 mil looks like a bargin… #lfc
— Daveeeeeeee (@David_McCombe) January 21, 2017
Klopp should have gone for a straight swap between Lovren and Jose Fonte.
— Akshay (@Akshay7_) January 21, 2017
Klopp cud’ve found a Mane in Promes. Cud’ve got a defender in Fonte. Chose not to. 4 tht I blame him. Am still a die hard @LFC fan btw
— Caelan Castle (@DieRed_LFC) January 21, 2017
Jose Fonte is a player that Liverpool needs! He’s gone
Top quality at a reasonable price with vast experience— Mohammed Al-Salat (@M_Salat) January 22, 2017
Just seen the goals from Liverpool game, the defence was absolutely shite. Jose fonte went for €8m to West Ham, missed out there didn’t we.
— Davy keane (@davy_keane) January 21, 2017