Liverpool transfer target honoured at offer as defender explains Klopp snub

Duje Caleta-Car Marseille v Nimes January 2021

Marseille centre-back Duje Caleta-Car has confirmed that Liverpool made a January transfer offer to bring him to Anfield.

The Reds began the recent window with no senior centre-backs; Joel Matip picked up a groin issue in late December to add to long-term issues to Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez.

But despite the Cameroonian returning, he suffered serious ankle ligament damage against Tottenham. As such, Liverpool endured a hectic deadline day, securing two centre-back deals.

Ozan Kabak and Ben Davies joined, from Schalke and Preston respectively. However, several other names supposedly entered the radar of club chiefs, including Caleta-Car.

Reports suggested that the 24-year-old had travelled to Marseille Province Airport ready to fly to Liverpool.

While the Croatian did not open up on such speculation, he confirmed in a press conference (via the Liverpool Echo) on Tuesday that the Reds did make an offer.

“Today, there is the Champions League, and I am going to watch the two games Barcelona v Paris Saint-Germain and RB Leipzig v Liverpool],” he said.

“I received an offer from Liverpool. It was an honour for me to know that such a club wanted me.

Dimitri Payet, Duje Caleta-Car Marseille v Olympiacos December 2020

“We decided with the club that I was going to stay.

“Marseille is also a great club and I still have a lot of improving to do here.”

Caleta-Car, who moved to the Ligue 1 club in 2018, has played 21 top-flight games this season, keeping five clean sheets.

Kabak, meanwhile, endured a tough debut for Liverpool last Saturday. The Turkey international got into a mix-up with goalkeeper Alisson Becker as Leicester won 3-1.

Davies has yet to play after picking up a small knock.

Carragher reveals his favourite Liverpool signing

Jamie Carragher

Elsewhere, Jamie Carragher has picked out who he believes is Liverpool’s best signing of the Premier League era.

Three of Jurgen Klopp’s arrivals make the five-man shortlist, following their canter to the club’s first league title in 30 years.

However, it is a 1990s signing which takes Carragher’s top spot.

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