Former Liverpool FC striker John Aldridge has revealed how the Reds turned down the chance to sign Seamus Coleman before he signed for Everton.
Seamus Coleman has undoubtedly been the best right back in the league so far this season and has certainly been amongst the most key players. Under new manager Roberto Martinez, Coleman has seemingly taken his game to the next level and has already scored five goals in 22 matches. Martinez has almost used him as a wingback and he has been brilliant in attack. He crossing has improved a lot, he is not afraid to take on defender and his goals are proof of his ability to produce a good strike.
Ai??But his praise canai??i??t be limited to his work in the attacking half of the pitch. The 25-year-old has been very reliable defensively as well and is part of an Everton side which has the second best defensive record in the league. Everton are almost sure to receive offers for him in the summer and it will be interesting to see if they are able to keep hold of him, especially when the future of Leighton Baines has also been under a lot of speculations.
Coleman, who has recently extended his contract till 2018, has already been linked with Arsenal and Manchester City, but according to John Aldridge, Coleman could have easily been a Liverpool player at this time. The former Liverpool striker has revealed, in an article for Sunday World, that the Irish right back was offered to Liverpool by his former club Sligo Rovers, but Rafa Benitez, Liverpoolai??i??s manager back then, declined the opportunity to sign him. Everton came knocking at his door after this, following Willie McStayai??i??s recommendation, and Coleman joined the blue half of Merseyside for a mere sum of A?60,000.
John Aldridge, who has worked with Paul Cook, the manager at Sligo Rovers when Coleman was at the club, also lamented about what could have been for Liverpool had they signed the right back at that time.
ai???If Rafael Benitez had been a little more open-minded during his final year as Liverpool manager, Seamus Coleman could be wearing a red shirt at Anfield last night and not a blue Everton jersey.
ai???Paul [Cook] knew this kid was top drawer and he rang some contacts at Liverpool and tried to encourage them to take a look at Coleman, but Benitez rejected his advances and said he wasnai??i??t interested.
ai???Every time I see him, I canai??i??t help but lament what might have been for Liverpool.” ai??i?? The former Liverpool striker wrote in his article.
Considering Glenn Johnsonai??i??s inconsistent form this season, Coleman at this age would have certainly been an upgrade on the England international – something for the fans to ponder about ahead of the all-important Merseyside derby at the end of this month.
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