Liverpool 'declined the chance to sign Chelsea-bound Christopher Nkunku'

Liverpool 'turned down the chance to sign France striker Christopher Nkunku last summer' - paving the way for him to join Chelsea.

The 25-year-old will move to Stamford Bridge in the summer after Chelsea agreed a £63million fee for him last month. Chelsea reportedly paid £10m over Nkunku's release clause to secure him.

But Nkunku could have signed for Liverpool, only for manager Jurgen Klopp and his assistant Pep Lijnders, who increasingly has influence over transfers, declined the opportunity.

The Daily Telegraph report that Nkunku's positional flexibility across the forward line meant he could have been a long-term replacement for Roberto Firmino.

He would also have provided competition for Mohamed Salah and Luis Diaz in the wide areas.

Though Liverpool have completed the £44m signing of Cody Gakpo from PSV Eindhoven, who is expected to be involved against Wolves in the FA Cup on Saturday night, injuries have left them depleted in attack.

Diaz, Diogo Jota and Firmino have all spent time on the sidelines during the busy festive fixture list, with Liverpool losing 3-1 at Brentford on Monday in a setback to their top four ambitions.

But even if Liverpool had revisited the signing of Nkunku for January, Chelsea had already beaten them to the punch.

The Frenchman has scored 17 goals in 23 appearances for Leipzig this season, off the back of a 35-goal gaul in 2021-22.

Nkunku was forced to withdraw from France's World Cup squad when he suffered an injury on the eve of the tournament.

He became the first statement signing of the Graham Potter era at Stamford Bridge though he won't be able to do anything about the Blues' stuttering form as they pursue a top four place.

Lijnders influence on Liverpool's recruitment has grown in recent years following the departure of technical director Michael Edwards in 2021 and his successor Julian Ward, who is working his notice period.

Mike Gordon, the president of owners Fenway Sports Group, has stepped back from the recruitment side, while Ian Graham, the club's director of research, has departed.

Three of Liverpool's main signings over the past two seasons - Diaz, Darwin Nunez and Gakpo - have been approved by Lijnders.