Liverpool have been slammed by Simon Kjaer after he chose to join Fenerbahce ahead of them, reports the London Evening Standard.
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The 26-year-old admitted that he could have joined the Reds, but turned them down when he left LOSC Lille because of a desire to win trophies. This will hurt the Anfield faithful, who have always seen their club as one of the biggest in England.
The Merseyside team last won a competition in 2012, before current boss Brendan Rodgers came to the helm. They took home the League Cup then, after defeating Cardiff City, and have a long history of trophy collecting.
With 18 top flight titles, seven FA Cups, eight League Cups, and five Champions Leagues, only Manchester United have won more than them in their history.
However, the Turkish side do at least rival Liverpool for domestic honours. They have 19 Super Ligs and six Turkish Cups, but have never made it past the quarter finals of the Champions League. Their last silverware was as recently as 2014, when they picked up the Turkish Super Cup.
Kjaer said when he signed: “Liverpool wanted me, but I want championships, I want to win trophies. Fenerbahce’s goals this season are big, and it was explained to me very well.”
Not only has this offended the Reds, but it also means that Rodgers will have to look elsewhere for a new centre-back. At the very least they will be boosted by the news that Martin Skrtel has agreed to a contract extension, as reported by Sky Sports. However, having conceded 48 goals in the last campaign, ten more than any top four side, it is likely some strengthening will still be needed.
Danish international Kjaer is a stylish defensive operator who featured for Wolfsburg, Palermo and Roma before joining Les Dogues in 2013.