Liverpool legend Phil Thompson has criticised his former club for failing to sign Timo Werner.
The RB Leipzig striker is expected to complete a £53million move to Stamford Bridge over the next few weeks.
Werner had been heavily linked with a summer move to Liverpool and even described them as the best team in the world in February.
There were suggestions the Germany international would struggle to play ahead of Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah at Anfield, however, with a place in Chelsea’s starting XI much more likely.
But Thompson, who won seven First Division titles during a 13-year spell at Liverpool from 1971, believes Werner would have improved Jurgen Klopp’s side.
He told Sky Sports: “I think you should always try to improve.
“When you’re on the up, when you’re playing well, that’s when you should back it up.
“I would have loved to see him come, but Liverpool have not done that [as] they are thinking it will cost too much.
“Timo Werner will be going, ‘maybe I might get in there’. But maybe Klopp is thinking, ‘we can’t afford to have somebody for that price just sitting on the bench’.
“He will be alright for three of four years. I would have taken that risk. If he wanted to come, I think you have to improve your team when you’re on top and he would have improved us.”
Only Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski (30) has scored more Bundesliga goals than Werner (25) this season.
The 24-year-old is set to compete with Tammy Abraham for a starting place in Frank Lampard’s side next term, but he can also play anywhere across the front three.
Tony Cascarino on Timo Werner choosing Chelsea over Liverpool
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