Liverpool’s loyalty to Divock Origi prevented them from signing brilliant Timo Werner from RB Leipzig, Michael Owen said.

Werner was heavily linked with a move to Liverpool after publicly expressed his belief that he would be a good fit for Jurgen Klopp’s side.

The Germany international was tipped to join the Reds this summer before Chelsea stole the deal.

The Blues signed Timo Werner for a fee of £47.5 million on June 18, tieing him down to a 5 year contract at Stamford Bridge.

Bayern, Real Madrid and Barcelona were also linked with the 24 year old, but he decided Chelsea was the best option.

Owen thinks Liverpool decided not to make changes in their attack after handing Origi a new long-term deal.

The former Reds striker believes his old club made a mistake in allowing Werner to slip through.

Owen told Premier League Productions:

“Will Origi and Takumi Minamino be there next season? Yes, they will.

Origi’s just signed a new contract and Takumi Minamino’s only just signed.

“They are there and they’re fixed but that doesn’t mean you can’t question whether they should be.

Origi signing a new long-term deal, Liverpool were loyal to him, weren’t they?

“He’d done what he’d done in the Champions League and all of a sudden they thought he’s done that so you have to give them a new contract.

That’s now prevented them from going and spending big money on a back-up striker.

“Timo Werner was obviously a player that Liverpool were linked to and he’s eventually gone to Chelsea.

I think that type of player would have been brilliant for Liverpool.

“They signed Origi on a long term contract.

That virtually ruled out a backup striker and I’m not sure that they don’t need a better one.”