A trip to Portugal became an inspired recruitment strategy. Tormented defenders had first-hand evidence that a young forward was irrepressible; so good, in fact, that the Premier League giants had to sign him. And, after a 2003 friendly against Sporting Lisbon, Manchester United’s coach was delayed while the manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, tied up the deal for the emerging Cristiano Ronaldo.
Fast forward the best part of two decades and there are some differences. This time, the destination is not Old Trafford – 19 years ago, a young Ronaldo’s other suitors included Gerard Houllier and Arsene Wenger – and it has taken Liverpool several weeks to complete a move for Darwin Nunez.
