---
title: "Liverpool: Fabrizio Romano confirms huge Reds transfer setback"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/liverpool-fabrizio-romano-confirms-huge-reds-transfer-setback/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Nathan Linley"
section: "Liverpool Football Club"
published: "2021-01-20T12:05:10Z"
modified: "2021-01-20T12:05:10Z"
---

# Liverpool: Fabrizio Romano confirms huge Reds transfer setback

**Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has inflicted a huge blow on Liverpool regarding their recent pursuit of Bayern Munich defender David Alaba.**

### Alaba off the table

Jurgen Klopp’s side have been [heavily linked](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/liverpool-fc-transfer-rumours/liverpool-keen-to-secure-david-alaba-january-agreement/) with a move for the 28-year-old for some time on the back of their injury crisis in their defensive department.

Both Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez have been ruled out for a significant amount of time due to [serious knee injuries](https://talksport.com/football/787753/joe-gomez-knee-injury-liverpool-jurgen-klopp-virgil-van-dijk/), while Joel Matip continues to struggle with his [own fitness issues](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/joel-matip/verletzungen/spieler/82105) – leaving Liverpool without any established centre-backs.

\[freshpress-quiz id=”342654″\]

Alaba was recently described as a “chief in defence”, by Bayern CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge when speaking in an interview with [Sky Germany](https://sport.sky.de/fussball/artikel/fc-bayern-news-rummenigge-vergleicht-alaba-mit-beckenbauer/12039429/34240).

While [BILD](https://www.bild.de/bild-plus/sport/fussball/fussball/david-alaba-zu-real-madrid-spanier-melden-alles-fix-74958242,jsPageReloaded=true,view=conversionToLogin.bild.html###wt_ref=https%3A%2F%2Ft.co%2F&wt_t=1611050338906) reported that the Reds were still trying to put a deal in place for the Austrian, Romano confirmed that his move to Real Madrid is all but confirmed.

Speaking on [Twitter](https://twitter.com/FabrizioRomano/status/1351538802981019652), Romano said: “David Alaba’s pre-contract with Real Madrid is ready since the beginning of January and it’s expected to be signed in the next weeks. His salary will be around €12m (£10.6m) \[after taxes\] per season. Liverpool made a top bid to sign him 2 weeks ago but… his dream is called Real Madrid.”

### Transfer Tavern Verdict

This may not come as all that surprising to segments of The Kop faithful – but it will still be disappointing nonetheless.

The general consensus appears to be that Liverpool do not have any plans to dip into the transfer market this month (according to [The Athletic](https://theathletic.co.uk/2302534/2021/01/07/liverpool-transfers-football-soccer/)), despite their lack of numbers at the back and them not replacing [Dejan Lovren](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/53556646) in the summer.

It could be a long season for the supporters if their club choose to stand their ground and if any further injuries arise. Time will tell.

*In other news, **[Huge boost regarding Liverpool’s 6 ft 3 star as behind the scenes footage emerges on Instagram; Beckenbauer loves him.](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/liverpool-fc-news/liverpool-virgil-van-dijk-gives-reds-massive-injury-boost-on-instagram/)***