Валерий Дудуш
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Mathew Nash
3 hours ago
If Liverpool had got their hands on summer targets Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Diego Costa - would the Premier League be effectively done and dusted?
This summer Liverpool made two unsuccessful moves for players that now look increasingly like big misses.
They move for Armenian international Henrikh Mkhitaryan of Shakhtar Donetsk - reportedly meeting his apparent release clause of £23.6 million for the attacking midfielder.
However Borussia Dortmund also met the same fee - and the maestro went to Germany instead, stating:
"Yes, I had many options. But I decided on Dortmund because I like the type of football that is played here…I have come to Dortmund to play and not to sit on the bench, as might initially have been the case in England."
They also made a move for Atletico Madrid striker Diego Costa.
Brendan Rdgers had obviously seen something in him - despite the Brazilian born striker living in the shadow of Radamel Falcao.
So he met his release clause of around £20 million in August. But just days later he signed a new deal to remain at Los Colchoneros - speaking of his decision a few days later:
"I had the chance to leave. I was about to do so. Liverpool are a great team. But, after so much fighting and overcoming many difficulties to earn my place at Atletico, how was I going to leave?”
But my question is this - if Liverpool had signed these two, would the league be wrapped up already?
Liverpool are surging back into title contention toward the end of this season - and their fans are daring to dream of a first ever Premier League title.
But they may have left it all a little too late - with Costa and Mkhitaryan would things have been different.
The fact is Costa has scored 26 goals in 30 appearances this season - as well as bagging four assists. Add him to the Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge equation and Liverpool would have the best front three in the country by a country mile.
Mkhitaryan could have played the attacking midfield role Phillipe Coutinho does with ease - giving Rodgers plenty of opportunity to rest the delightful but delicate footballer.
Mkhitaryan has had some injury problems - but his recent form is stunning and in his 26 appearances he has accumulated seven assists and eight goals.
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If these two had chosen Anfield - likely if Liverpool were in the Champions League - I genuinely believe The Reds would have the title sewed up already.
As it is they have a fight on - but convincing players of this calibre to sign in the summer should be a walk in the park.
Would these two have done the business?
