Liverpool fans will have been watching on with envy on Saturday evening as PSG got their hands on the Champions League trophy.

The Parisians knocked Liverpool out in the last-16 back in March, with penalties all that separated the Reds from a place in the quarter-final.

Had Liverpool navigated past PSG, they would have fancied themselves to have a real shot at winning a seventh European title

As it was, the French champions annihilated Inter Milan to win the Champions League for the very first time.

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Given the nature of the scoreline, there were plenty of stars for PSG on the night.

Luis Enrique led calls for Ousmane Dembele to win the Ballon d’Or, while Desire Doue stole the show and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia sparkled as usual.

At the other end of the pitch Willian Pacho looked every inch the part as he and Marquinhos kept Inter at bay.

And as Liverpool look for a new centre-half this summer, they will have perhaps been thinking back to when they so nearly signed Pacho last year.

Photo by Joris Verwijst/BSR Agency/Getty Images

Pacho may not be one of the most eye-catching players in this PSG team, but he has more than played his part in their success.

The Ecuadorian has made 52 appearances this season, forming a key partnership with captain Marquinhos at the back.

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But had things gone just slightly differently, Pacho could have ended up at Liverpool.

With the Reds eyeing the centre-back market last summer, the then Eintracht Frankfurt man was heavily on their radar.

In fact, according to French outlet Le10sport, Liverpool made a last-ditch attempt to steal Pacho from PSG.

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After learning that the 23-year-old was on his way to Paris, the Reds are said to have sprung into action, making a higher offer to Eintracht than the one offered by the French club.

However, having reportedly given their word to PSG that Pacho was theirs, Eintracht rejected the bid from Liverpool.

It was too late.

As Liverpool enter the market this summer, they do have a growing problem in the centre-back position.

Ibrahima Konate’s contract is causing concern at Anfield, with the 26-year-old now just one year out from a free transfer exit.

Had Liverpool signed Pacho, they could afford to be a little more relaxed regarding Konate, safe in the knowledge that his replacement had already been signed.

Instead, there is no chance they can bring Pacho in now, and having also missed out on Dean Huijsen to Real Madrid, Liverpool have been left scrambling.

Pacho is not the only PSG player who is playing for the Reds in a parallel universe, but after Saturday’s showpiece, he could potentially be the most crucial miss in this realm.
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