Liverpool were interested in bringing highly-respected Juventus sporting director Fabio Paratici to the club to work alongside manager Jurgen Klopp, according to a report fromCalciomercato.
Paratici has established himself as one of the most efficient executives in European football, impressing with his recruitment skills at the Italian giants, bringing in several players that have helped keep the Bianconeri at the summit of Italian football over the past five years.
Paratici, who has also attracted interest from Tottenham Hotspur and Real Madrid, was initially wanted by Liverpool when they appointed Klopp as Brendan Rodgers' successor. The plan was to have the pair working in tandem to 'revolutionise' the Reds and return them to the top of English football.
Fabio Paratici yesterday was in the stands in Bergamo to watch Caldara & Pavoletti. Juve were also scouting Conti & Gagliardini. [GdS] pic.twitter.com/bMxPnuEThj
Without that dynamic, Klopp has still managed to restore a sense of supremacy at Anfield, with Liverpool playing some of the most scintillating attacking football seen in front of the Kop for years.
According to the report, Paratici was on Liverpool's radar but apparently preferred the Juventus project. Establishing himself as a brilliantly efficient 'right-hand man' at Sampdoria over the course of six years, Paratici was appointed Juve's sporting director in 2010.
Since then, he has worked closely and productively with Antonio Conte and Massimiliano Allegri to help the Old Lady win five successive Serie A titles and cement their place as the premier force in Italian football.
Paratici has a wonderful reputation and perhaps would have adapted seamlessly to English football, but Liverpool are faring pretty well without his services, it must be said.