It’s not just on the pitch where Liverpool have been the scourge of Manchester United in recent years, with the Reds repeatedly getting the better of the Red Devils in the transfer market too.
While United haven’t won a trophy since 2017, their supporters have had to watch on enviously as Jurgen Klopp has led their bitter rivals to every major honour going, including Premier League and Champions League glory.
Along the way, United have looked to bridge the gap with Liverpool when strengthening their squad. However, a number of players who have looked destined to join the Red Devils over the years ultimately ended up at Anfield.
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Roberto Firmino reportedly had a medical booked with United, only for the Reds to swoop in and steal his signature in the summer of 2015. Meanwhile, Sadio Mane was close to agreeing a switch to Old Trafford 12 months later, before a phone call from Klopp persuaded him to join Liverpool instead.
Fabinho had been heavily linked with Manchester United over a number of months, before the Reds signed the Brazilian out of the blue in May 2018, with it ultimately a similar story when Liverpool signed both Darwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo last summer and earlier this month.
Meanwhile, United would reportedly fail in efforts to steal Virgil van Dijk from under the Reds’ noses in January 2018. And while they did not enter the conversation to sign Thiago Alcantara from Bayern Munich in September 2020, the Spaniard had repeatedly been linked with the Red Devils for years prior to his eventual move to the Premier League.
And while Liverpool aren't set to strengthen their squad any further on transfer deadline day, with their midfield in major need of a revamp, they would be wise to steal a transfer from under their rival’s noses once again.
After Christian Eriksen was ruled out until early May with an ankle injury, reports in Germany emerged that United had contacted Bayern Munich about the possibility of signing Marcel Sabitzer.
Liverpool were said to be interested in the Austrian two years ago, only to miss out on his signature to the Bundesliga giants as they signed him from RB Leipzig in a £14m deal. But now the Bavarians are ready to let Sabitzer leave on loan or permanently, with the club's sporting director, Hasan Salihamidzic, reportedly in talks with both the Red Devils and Chelsea.
The 28-year-old has struggled for game-time with Bayern in recent months, finding himself limited to just seven Bundesliga starts - the last of which came in early October. As a result, he could find himself making a deadline day move.
Sabitzer is said to be United’s first-choice replacement for Eriksen as they look to negotiate a late loan switch. But with Liverpool in desperate need of a new midfielder themselves, could they make their own late swoop for the Austrian?
A highly-versatile player, he has predominantly played as a central midfielder for Bayern. However, he is equally comfortable up front, behind a striker and outwide. Meanwhile, at 28 years old, the Austrian is enjoying his peak years, despite his lack of game-time, and has missed minimal games through injury in Munich.
The Reds admittedly boast 11 senior options in midfield following Stefan Bajcetic’s emergence, with Juventus loanee Arthur Melo the only one currently available. But their options are a mixture of out-of-form, ageing, injury-prone, out-of-contract, or raw youngsters. As a result, Sabitzer’s profile is one they are currently lacking.
With Liverpool also without Luis Diaz, Diogo Jota, and Roberto Firmino in attack, with Darwin Nunez also troubled by nibbling issues on occasions, the Austrian could provide welcome cover in attack as well as further quality in midfield.
Admittedly, the prospect of the Reds reigniting their interest in Sabitzer, especially this late in the window, is extremely unlikely. But with United opening the door to the possibility of a loan transfer, they’d be foolish not to consider such a switch themselves as they look to resurrect their campaign.
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