Liverpool reportedly made an offer to sign Real Madrid defender Raul Asencio this summer, according to Marca.
The Reds needed defensive reinforcements after Ibrahima Konate left for Los Blancos, leaving a gap in the Merseyside club’s roster.
It didn’t help that Liverpool defenders Giovanni Leoni and Jeremy Jacquet were returning from long-term injuries. Liverpool turned to the Spain international defender.
Asencio is ‘decisive on the ball’. The 23-year-old has flaws, but Liverpool seem to believe they can be ironed out and that he can develop into a top-class centre-back.
Chelsea and a Turkish club also made offers to sign the Las Palmas-born defender. Liverpool instead turned their attention to Ronald Araujo, who has been a stellar loan pick-up.
Liverpool dodged a bullet with Asencio
Asencio has fallen down the pecking order and didn’t help his cause when he got into trouble for driving under the influence, prompting a dressing-down from manager Jose Mourinho.
Liverpool look like they made the wise choice not to sign Asencio, who was previously arrested for his involvement in a sexual video controversy in 2023 before he was acquitted.
The Reds could still use a long-term successor to Virgil Van Dijk at the back, but Asencio will not be the solution for new sporting director Julian Ward.
Liverpool need to consider whether to make the Araujo deal permanent or pursue another centre-back.
