Former Arsenal player Theo Walcott has stated an obvious truth most Liverpool fans have known for over a year now.
Last summer, the Reds were interested in signing a specialist defensive midfielder after the sudden departure of Fabinho.
Moises Caicedo was the biggest name linked to the club, with the Reds having a bid accepted for the Ecuadorian.
But ultimately, Chelsea won the race for the Brighton midfielder.
One of the other names that Liverpool seriously considered was Romeo Lavia.
The Manchester City youth player had enjoyed a good season with Southampton and was a wanted man.
Jurgen Klopp’s side made a move for him and there was a positive feeling among Liverpool fans that the Belgian will be a Red.
However Lavia chose to sign for Chelsea, despite Liverpool being in a better place competitively.
The Anfield club were participating in the UEFA Europa League, while Chelsea were absent from Europe altogether.
Although his choice was celebrated among Blues’ fans and Liverpool were mocked for missing out, Lavia’s move has not gone to plan.
One year later, he is yet to play a full match for Chelsea.
Theo Walcott has now suggested that Romeo Lavia may not be given an opportunity at Chelsea Football Club.
The former Arsenal man played alongside the 20-year-old midfielder in Southampton and has claimed a move to Liverpool might have been the better choice for his former team-mate.
“He’s a very talented footballer, very talented,” Walcott told BBC Radio 5 Live.
“I saw him week in, week out – he trained his heart out, probably trained too much and then obviously got that serious injury.
“There was talk of him going to Chelsea and Liverpool, and I thought, as a player, Liverpool would be the perfect club right now.
“Their midfield at the time was rebuilding and it was a new structure.
“Players can make their choice, of course.
“His career’s stagnated a bit but he’s had a really good pre-season [at Chelsea] and I hope he plays.
“I always like to keep an eye on players I played with and I want them to do well, particularly players that are good lads, work hard and want to learn.
“But I just felt Liverpool was the perfect club for him at that time in his career if he was going to move on [from Southampton].
“I’m worried that he will be one of those Chelsea players that will just move on and you won’t hear much of him.
“The amount of players Chelsea are signing, there are good players who just won’t get a chance.
“They just won’t be seen or sent on loan to lower league clubs.”
Things are unlikely to change for Romeo Lavia this season.
The Belgian midfielder is facing serious competition for a place in the Blues midfield as Chelsea who appointed Enzo Maresca this summer, have been busy in the transfer market.
Meanwhile, Liverpool are still in search of a specialist midfielder, having missed out on primary target Martin Zubimendi.
It looks like Theo Walcott may have made an accurate assessment on what Romeo Lavia should have done this time last year.
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