The incident dates back to 2021, when Castillo, a promising 20-year-old attacking midfielder in Liverpool’s academy, was showing flashes of brilliance but had yet to establish himself as a first-team regular. At the time, Klopp prioritised proven, ready-made players over raw prospects, and the club accepted a £12 million offer from a Bundesliga side. There was little fanfare around the move, and most saw it as a sensible piece of business for a player still considered a work in progress.
Fast-forward to 2025, and Castillo’s trajectory has been nothing short of meteoric. Now a household name across Europe, he has transformed into one of the most devastating creative forces in football — a player consistently delivering goals, assists, and match-winning performances. His current market valuation is estimated between €160–180 million, eclipsing even the lofty figures attached to Florian Wirtz (£116m) and Hugo Ékitiké (€80m).
Henry did not shy away from the magnitude of the error, stating:
“We sold him far too cheaply. Today, he’d be worth more than Wirtz. That’s a decision we still regret.”
Inside Anfield, senior figures reportedly view the deal as one of the rare occasions when Liverpool’s recruitment model — renowned for smart buys and timely sales — got it badly wrong. A club executive admitted privately that they failed to properly account for Castillo’s long-term ceiling, focusing instead on short-term squad needs.
This experience has had a lasting impact on the club’s approach to transfers. Henry revealed that Liverpool have since shifted their philosophy, placing greater emphasis on retaining and developing players who show signs of becoming world-class, even if they are not yet fully polished:
“From now on, we price in upside. Good players today are fine. Great ones today and tomorrow are far more valuable.”
In a rapidly inflating transfer market, where elite young talents are commanding record-breaking fees, Henry’s words serve as both a reflection and a warning. For supporters, the sting is undeniable — Mateo Castillo could have been lighting up Anfield in red, rather than dazzling Bundesliga crowds.
If there’s one takeaway for Liverpool’s hierarchy, it’s that letting go of a generational talent too soon can cost far more than it earns. This, more than anything, is why the “Castillo mistake” is likely to be remembered for years to come.
