Revealed: Liverpool Almost Signed PSG UEFA Champions League Winner | OneFootball

Liverpool’s Missed Opportunity: How Willian Pacho Slipped Away to PSG Glory

As Paris Saint-Germain lifted their maiden Champions League trophy on Saturday evening, Liverpool supporters were left contemplating what might have been. The French champions steamrolled Inter Milan in a final that was as one-sided as it was historic. Among the many standout performances, Willian Pacho’s composed defensive display was quietly essential.

According to Le10Sport, Liverpool came agonisingly close to signing the Ecuadorian centre-back last summer. Pacho, then at Eintracht Frankfurt, was a key target for the Reds, who made a “last-ditch attempt” to hijack his move to PSG with a higher bid. But the German club stood firm, reportedly out of principle, having already given their word to the Parisians.

Liverpool’s Timing Costs Them

This wasn’t a case of being outbid or outmanoeuvred. As Le10Sport noted, “Liverpool made a last-ditch attempt to steal Pacho from PSG,” only for Frankfurt to reject their superior offer in favour of honouring an existing agreement.

Photo: IMAGO

It’s not the first time Liverpool have been guilty of moving too late in the market. Whether it’s hesitation, boardroom uncertainty or simply misreading the landscape, this pattern is one that could cost the club dearly, especially when centre-back is becoming an increasingly urgent issue.

Centre-Back Conundrum at Anfield

Pacho’s case is not just about what could have been. It’s about what Liverpool now face. With Ibrahima Konaté’s contract nearing its final 12 months, there is real concern at Anfield. Pacho, 23, would have been an ideal long-term replacement — a player already proving himself on the highest stage.

Instead, Arne Slot’s squad now look threadbare in central defence. Virgil van Dijk isn’t getting any younger, Ibou Konate is yet to sign a new deal and Jarell Quansah faces an uncertain future at Anfield.

Le10Sport’s report underlines how close Liverpool were. It wasn’t just paper interest — it was a concrete attempt. Had they landed Pacho, they could be planning for Konaté’s potential exit with calm assurance. Instead, the current situation feels reactive and, to a degree, desperate.

Pacho’s Impact at PSG Highlights What Liverpool Lack

The Ecuadorian has now made “52 appearances this season” for PSG, forming a dependable partnership with captain Marquinhos. He may not have the flair of Kvaratskhelia or the sparkle of Dembele, but Pacho’s contribution is no less vital. A Champions League-winning defence needs quiet brilliance — and Pacho delivered it.

He isn’t just a player for the future, but one very much thriving in the present. Liverpool’s interest wasn’t misplaced — if anything, it came too late to be rewarded. In the context of Slot’s impressive title-winning start at Liverpool, missing out on Pacho could become one of the few early regrets in an otherwise promising new era.