Jamie Carragher believes Timo Werner was destined for Liverpool instead of Chelsea until coronavirus hit the sport.
The RB Leipzig star appears set to join the Blues in a deal worth £49 million (€55m) once his release clause is activated.
Though the Germany forward has long-since been linked with joining compatriot Jurgen Klopp at Anfield.
But Carragher believes the dynamics of the transfer and the player's outlook on Merseyside changed after Covid-19.
The Sky Sports pundit believes Klopp has now been able to give his star-studded front three, Roberto Firmino, Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane, a much-needed rest.
And that, combined with the possibility of January’s Africa Cup of Nations being postponed like the European Championships, Olympic Games and Copa America, may have seen Werner's potential opportunities next season reduced.
“I honestly believe that if the pandemic hadn’t happened then Timo Werner would have been a Liverpool player,” Carragher told the Mirror.
“I don’t think it was all about money. There won’t be an Olympic tournament, an Africa Cup of Nations or a Copa America. If Werner had signed for Liverpool, he wouldn’t have been first choice because the front three is what it is.
“But spending £50m on someone who would not be a first choice is a big decision. If there had been the Olympics and the Africa Cup of Nations next season, then Klopp would have been able to guarantee Werner plenty of games when Salah and Mane were missing.
“He’d have probably got 25-30 games in, but with those tournaments being postponed it would have been harder to convince Werner to sign, because the front three don’t miss many games.”
The Reds know they require just two wins to win the Premier League and end a 30-year wait for a league title.
Klopp’s side will resume their league campaign next Sunday when they face Merseyside rivals Everton in a 19:30 kick-off.
