Klopp was unequivocal about Laimer’s position. “Sobre o Laimer, posso dizer o seguinte: eu o escalaria como volante,” he said - he would have used the Austrian as a defensive midfielder.
That vision made sense. Laimer’s energy, pressing and ability to cover ground suited the demands of Klopp’s midfield, particularly as Fabinho’s form declined. The Liverpool manager was not simply looking for another versatile player; he wanted a mobile No. 6 capable of protecting the defence and supporting the press.
The timing was significant. Liverpool needed midfield reinforcement late in the 2022 summer window, but the move for Laimer did not materialise.
Instead, Liverpool turned to Arthur Melo on loan from Juventus. It was a short-term response to a long-term problem, and injuries quickly undermined the move. Arthur made only 13 minutes for the first team, leaving Liverpool without the immediate midfield solution they had sought.
Laimer remained at RB Leipzig for another season before joining Bayern Munich without a transfer fee. His career in Bavaria has shown his versatility, although he has often been used at right-back rather than in the central role Klopp had imagined.
There was also a personal connection. Laimer once said, “Sempre fui torcedor do Liverpool” - “I have always been a Liverpool supporter.” That makes the missed transfer feel even more like a road not taken.
Liverpool’s midfield was eventually rebuilt, but the Laimer episode remains a reminder of the risks of deadline-day solutions. The Austrian may not have transformed everything, yet his profile addressed a clear tactical need more directly than a temporary loan.
The next transfer window will offer another test of Liverpool’s planning: will the club identify its preferred midfield profile early, or will another promising solution disappear before the deal is done?