RB Leipzig sporting director and coach Ralf Rangnick has revealed that he “desperately” tried to sign Liverpool starlet Joe Gomez two years ago.
Gomez, who progressed through Charlton Athletic’s youth academy, used to play for the Addicks when Rangnick was keen, with the versatile defender joining the Reds on a five-year deal last summer.
However, after a promising start to his career at Anfield, the 18-year-old picked up a cruciate ligament injury in October which ruled him out for the rest of the season.
Rangnick admitted that while flying back to Germany from London two years ago, he met Gomez’s agent and tried his best to snap up the youngster.
“We desperately wanted to sign Joe Gomez, who later chose Liverpool, and we were flying back from London to Leipzig with his agent", he told German magazine Sport Bild.
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Gomez, who is expected to return to action in June, has thus far clocked up 618 minutes over seven appearances in all competitions for Liverpool, providing an assist.
He is yet to earn a senior cap for England but has represented the nation up to Under-21 level.
