Liverpool 'blew everything out of the water' when signing Ben Davies says Preston North End manager Alex Neil

Preston North End manager Alex Neil says Liverpool 'blew everything out of the water' when they made their surprise swoop for Ben Davies.
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Davies left PNE on deadline day to move to Anfield in a £1.6m deal, with the defender named on the bench for the Reds' 1-0 defeat to Brighton on Wednesday night.

Speaking at his pre-match conference on Thursday morning ahead of the weekend's clash with Rotherham, Neil detailed the chronology of how the deal unfolded.

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Until Sunday when Liverpool showed their hand, Davies' destination looked to be Celtic on a Bosman free transfer in the summer when his North End contract ran out.

Former Preston North End defender Ben Davies warming-up for Liverpool before their game with Brighton on Wednesday nightFormer Preston North End defender Ben Davies warming-up for Liverpool before their game with Brighton on Wednesday night
Former Preston North End defender Ben Davies warming-up for Liverpool before their game with Brighton on Wednesday night

Neil said: "To my knowledge the deal with Celtic was the one he was going to do and that is where he was going to end up.

"However, we wouldn't have let him go to Celtic in this window unless there had been a substantial fee attached and I don't think we would have got one from them.

"From the discussions I had with Ben, I anticipated him staying with us until the end of the season.

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"Then Liverpool came in and that blew everything out of the water for two reasons.

Preston North End manager Alex NeilPreston North End manager Alex Neil
Preston North End manager Alex Neil

"One, Liverpool were very good in that they offered us a good fee for a lad who had less than six months remaining on his contract.

"Two, we naturally wouldn't have stopped Ben moving to the level Liverpool play at, the World Club champions.

"It was an incredible couple of days for him.

"I think I was more happy than Ben was to start with, he was a bit shocked and awed by it all.

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"What I told Ben was just to make sure this one got over the line.

"His first question was 'do you think Peter (Ridsdale) will allow me to go'?

"I told him not to worry about Peter!

"This was something we couldn't stop from happening and I'm delighted for him. I think he is ready for this.

"His game has really come together this season and if he gets an opportunity, you are talking about a real quality centre-back."

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Neil admits that with Davies leaving, so too Ben Pearson and Darnell Fisher, he is not in a position to argue that the squad doesn't look as strong as it did.

Eight new players arrived in the window though, Neil confident that given a bit of time they can all help North End push forward.

Neil said: "If you look at players of the calibre of Ben Davies, Ben Pearson, Darnell Fisher, they are all proven at this level, they have produced for us for the last few years,

"The lads who have come in have the opportunity now to show what they can do. When you bring that many players in, it can take time to settle down.

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"Over the course of time, hopefully they can prove to be as good as or better than the ones who have left."

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