---
title: "Liverpool failed in Divock Origi swap deal for Sven Botman"
canonical: "https://readliverpoolfc.com/news/liverpool-failed-in-divock-origi-swap-deal-for-sven-botman/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Dan Clubbe"
section: "Liverpool News"
published: "2021-02-03T11:00:00Z"
modified: "2021-02-03T11:00:00Z"
---

# Liverpool failed in Divock Origi swap deal for Sven Botman

[Liverpool](https://readliverpoolfc.com/2021/02/03/liverpool-attractive-competitor-dayot-upamecano-transfers/) reportedly made a last-minute attempt to sign Lille centre-back[Sven Botman](https://readliverpoolfc.com/2021/01/29/liverpools-interest-in-sven-botman-set-to-be-revived-before-deadline-day/) on transfer deadline day, according to [The Mirror](https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/premier-league-transfers-every-clubs-23427950).

The Reds were reportedly willing to include [out-of-sorts striker Divock Origi](https://www.teamtalk.com/news/writing-on-wall-liverpool-hero-origi-two-factors-hint-january-exit)in what is described as a ‘complicated deal’ to bring the Dutch defender to Anfield in the final hours of the window.

At the beginning of January, it had [looked as though](https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1378601/Liverpool-transfer-news-Sven-Botman-Instagram-rumours#:~:text=He%20tagged%20his%20agency%2C%20Muy,that%20a%20move%20could%20happen.) Botman was the chosen one as speculation around the 21-year-old intensified. However, the Ligue 1 leaders dismissed the prospect and Jurgen Klopp and his recruitment team switched targets – including ‘sounding out’ Dayot Upamecano and Ibrahima Konate.

Having remained patient throughout the window, the Premier League champions were forced into action on deadline day due to [the severity of Joel Matip’s injury](https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/first-team/424517-jurgen-klopp-confirms-joel-matip-injury-diagnosis#:~:text=J%C3%BCrgen%20Klopp%20has%20confirmed%20Joel,win%20in%20London%20last%20Thursday.). Marseille’s Croatian centre-back Duje Caleta-Car and Lyon defender Marcelo are [also mentioned on the list of targets](https://www.teamtalk.com/news/20m-liverpool-caleta-car-bid-rejected-shock-klavan-return) as Liverpool scrambled desperately for a solution.

A switch to Lille would have been a return to an old stomping ground for Origi. The Belgian scored [16 goals in 89 appearances](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/divock-origi/leistungsdatenverein/spieler/148368) in France before arriving on Merseyside.

### READ LIVERPOOL VERDICT

Thankfully, the perceived failure of this proposal didn’t perturb the champions as they [signed defensive duo](https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1392103/Liverpool-transfer-news-Ben-Davies-Ozan-Kabak-Schalke-latest-Jurgen-Klopp) Ben Davies and Ozan Kabak.

This deal would have made plenty of sense for the Reds, with Origi’s influence [diminishing at a worrying rate](https://www.sofascore.com/player/divock-origi/190399) recently. By contrast, Botman is[flourishing at the elite level](https://www.sofascore.com/player/sven-botman/910046) and looks to have a bright future ahead of him, as well as solving an immediate problem at Anfield.

Origi’s potential departure would likely have put pay to [Takumi Minamino’s move to Southampton](https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/first-team/424573-takumi-minamino-joins-southampton-on-loan) in the dwindling hours of the window.