Liverpool May Have Avoided a Costly Mistake with Leny Yoro: Injury-Forced Three-Month Absence Highlights Potential Risks for Reds’ Transfer Pursuit

Liverpool May Have Avoided a Costly Mistake with Leny Yoro: Injury-Forced Three-Month Absence Highlights Potential Risks for Reds’ Transfer Pursuit

Liverpool Dodges a Bullet with Leny Yoro’s Injury Woes

Liverpool may have narrowly avoided a costly misstep with their decision not to pursue a move for Leny Yoro this summer. The 18-year-old French defender, who recently joined Manchester United, is facing a significant setback after being sidelined for three months due to a foot injury.

Yoro, who impressed during a standout 2023-24 season with Lille, was initially a target for Liverpool. However, the Reds chose not to advance their interest after it became evident that Yoro preferred a move to Real Madrid. Ultimately, Yoro signed with Manchester United in a deal worth up to $76 million (£58.9m/€69.1m).

The early days of Yoro’s Manchester United career have been fraught with challenges. In only his second appearance for the club—a 2-1 friendly loss to Arsenal on July 28—Yoro was forced off the pitch after 35 minutes due to a fracture in the fifth metatarsal of his left foot. He has since undergone surgery and is expected to be out of action until November.

Remarkably, United’s medical staff had identified a potential metatarsal issue during Yoro’s initial assessments. Despite this, the club proceeded with the signing, convinced of Yoro’s long-term potential. United’s executives believed the opportunity to secure one of Europe’s top young talents, ahead of Real Madrid, was too valuable to ignore. As a result, they have opted to manage his condition cautiously, limiting his participation in training.

For Liverpool, avoiding a deal for Yoro seems fortuitous given his current injury troubles. The Reds are still searching for a replacement for Joel Matip but sidestepping a high-risk signing like Yoro might have been a prudent move. As Yoro begins his rehabilitation, Liverpool’s decision appears to have been vindicated, emphasizing the importance of injury considerations in transfer decisions.