Liverpool were heavily linked with England international goalkeeper Jack Butland during the summer transfer window back in 2020 but the shot-stopper ended up moving elsewhere

Liverpool have a pretty strong record when it comes to getting it right in the transfer market, but even they don’t get it right all the time.

The Reds have pulled off a host of shrewd deals in recent years, particularly during the reign of Michael Edwards, who is back at Anfield to lead the post-Jurgen Klopp era.

Back in 2020, though, it seemed as though Anfield’s top brass had passed up a no-brainer in the summer transfer window.

With Liverpool seemingly in the market for a quality goalkeeper to provide back-up, Stoke City shot-stopper Jack Butland emerged as a target. Previously valued at around the £20million mark, the England international was available for a bargain fee as he had entered the final 12 months of his contract at the Bet365 Stadium.

Butland, 31, ended up joining Crystal Palace for just £500,000 on deadline day – leaving plenty of Liverpool fans bemused. The decision was widely criticised on social media, with Adrian failing to impress when deputising for Alisson during the 2020/21 campaign.

“Can’t believe Butland went to Palace and we have Adrian standing in for Alisson,” one fan posted on social media at the time, while another said: “Jack Butland at 27 and for £500k transfer fee is a huge improvement on Adrian as number two keeper, can’t help you if you can’t see that.”

Intriguingly, Butland would end up joining one of the Reds’ arch-rivals Manchester United after three years at Selhurst Park for the second half of the 2022/23 campaign.

While Butland failed to make an appearance for his boyhood club during his time at Old Trafford, he was on the bench for a host of matches, including the FA Cup final, which United lost against Manchester City.

After years of playing back-up, Butland kickstarted his career last summer when he joined Scottish giants Rangers on a four-year deal. To date, Butland has made 49 appearances in all competitions as Philippe Clement’s side chase down Celtic.

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Butland has breathed new life into his career since joining Rangers last summer (
Image:
Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images)
Rangers are finely poised behind their bitter rivals ahead of the run-in and are currently a point behind Celtic with a game in hand. Fittingly, Butland has been an influential figure in the side who are bidding to dethrone the reigning champions.

His impressive form has also put him back into contention in the international fold ahead of this summer’s European Championships. Despite reports claiming he was in line for an England recall, Butland missed out on the squad for this month’s double-header against Brazil and Belgium at Wembley.

Butland will fancy his chances of muscling in on Gareth Southgate’s Euro 2024 squad, though, after breathing new life into his career by moving north of the border.