Why Liverpool MUST think twice or risk repeating £70m Everton MISTAKE | OneFootball

Amidst reports that Liverpool wish to splash £70m+ on star Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite, there is evidence that it might not be a good idea.

Unquestionably the standout performer for Everton last season and a big reason they managed to escape relegation despite points deductions, Branthwaite has been missing for large parts of this campaign so far.

Appearing only once, it’s no surprise that one appearance coincided with Everton’s first victory of 2024/25 against Crystal Palace. With Manchester United supposedly leading the race to tempt Branthwaite away from Goodison Park, Liverpool have mooted the idea of poaching any potential transfer and instead try to tempt the 22-year-old to cross Stanley Park.

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If Liverpool did sign Branthwaite, it would almost certainly be a fee comparable to the £75 million the Reds spent to sign Virgil van Dijk from Southampton seven years ago, and given Everton’s inevitable reluctance to deal with their city rivals any price tag would see a premium added to it due to that principle.

However, it should be worth pointing out that whenever Everton have sold their star players for sizeable sums, it tends not to work out for them at their new club.

Ross Barkley saw his career hit the buffers at Chelsea, Romelu Lukaku had a torrid time at Manchester United and more recently we’ve seen the struggles Richarlison has had to endure both personally and professionally since his move to Tottenham. Lest we forget that Jack Rodwell sunk without trace post-Everton too.

It stretches beyond the Premier League as well: Idrissa Gueye failed to meet expectations at Paris Saint-Germain to such an extent that Everton were the only club interested in re-signing him.

Of course, there is always an exception to the rule, and perhaps Branthwaite could follow in the footsteps of John Stones’ success with Manchester City, save for the persistent injury issues. Anthony Gordon has shone brightly at Newcastle United, too.

Both could be enough to tempt Liverpool into paying over the odds for Branthwaite, especially if they are to lose captain Virgil van Dijk at the end of his contract next summer.

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