Fans are claiming Liverpool made a huge error in not signing Goncalo Ramos, after the Portugal star’s show-stopping World Cup performance against Switzerland.
Ramos, who until last month had not played international football, caused a stir when he replaced Cristiano Ronaldo in Portugal’s starting XI for their World Cup round-of-16 match against Switzerland.
The 21-year-old went on to announce himself as Portugal’s present and future, by scoring a hat-trick and claiming an assist as Fernando Santos’ side demolished Switzerland 6-1.
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In doing so Ramos became the youngest player to score a World Cup hat-trick since Hungary’s Florian Albert in 1962.
Of course, five-time Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldo watched on from the bench, reeling.
Liverpool kicking themselves
With Ramos now the talk of Qatar, several fans have taken to Twitter to mock Liverpool for signing the ‘wrong’ Benfica forward last summer.
In July Liverpool secured the signing of Darwin Nunez from the Portugal giants in a deal that could rise to a club-record £85million.
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While the 23-year-old forward has since scored a respectable nine goals in 18 Liverpool appearances, he has come under scrutiny for his erratic style and inconsistent finishing.
Fans are now claiming the Reds should have signed Ramos, who was Nunez’s understudy at Benfica, rather than the Uruguay international.
Loatino joked: “Liverpool racking up at Benfica, to see if they can swap Darwin Nunez, for Goncalo Ramos outside the 28-day cooling-off period.”
Meanwhile, Flame31Shine added: “Liverpool on the phone trying to return Darwin Nunez for Goncalo Ramos instead.”
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Louisbinns also tweeted: “Goncalo Ramos playing like the player Liverpool fans think Darwin Nunez is.”
Another Twitter user, AdamMaina_ said: “My dear Liverpool went for Darwin Núñez and Benfica replaced him with Gonçalo Ramos who now has a World Cup hat-trick.”
Topics: Football, Portugal, Liverpool, Darwin Nunez, Cristiano Ronaldo, Transfers
Chris Byfield