Liverpool given ’embarrassing’ wake-up call as star midfielder ditches in favour of Prem rival

Alan Shearer feels Moises Caicedo deciding to move to Chelsea after there was an agreement in place with Liverpool is “embarrassing” and should prompt the Reds to work differently in future.

Caicedo has been one of the most in-demand players in the Premier League over the past eight months. Arsenal and Chelsea both attempted to sign the Brighton midfielder in January, though each bid from the London sides was turned down.

It’s an indictment of quite how good he is and could become that he’d played a little over half a season of Premier League football at that point. Having continued his good form throughout the season, interest continued into the summer.

Chelsea were the main pursuers, maintaining their interest after letting a number of midfielders go. However, it was Liverpool who landed the first punch, flying under the radar until an auction saw them come out on top and agree a deal with Brighton.

That was as the Blues had failed to meet the Seagulls’ £100million asking price throughout their pursuit, while Jurgen Klopp’s side smashed it by £10million in their first offer.

Things might have been done and dusted there, but Caicedo then sensationally told the Reds he didn’t want to join them, as he’d prefer to move to Stamford Bridge, having given Chelsea his word in May.

Former Premier League striker Shearer thinks being ditched in that manner will be a big embarrassment for Liverpool.

“It’s pretty embarrassing for Liverpool if that is the case,” he said on The Rest Is Football.

“They’ve agreed a deal for £111m and then all of a sudden the player has said, ‘no thanks, I don’t fancy coming to you, I’m going to London instead'”.

He also feels this’ll be a wake-up call for Klopp’s side, who might might want to get some assurances that a player they’re dropping a huge fee on actually wants to join before lodging the offer.

“That is not a good look for Liverpool. You have to do your homework and your due diligence and make sure players want to join before agreeing deals for them,” Shearer added.

READ MORE: Boehly intervenes as Chelsea ‘plan’ ultimate Caicedo insult in stunning response to Liverpool