Ex-Everton defender aims cheeky dig at Liverpool after completing $11m transfer

Liverpool was beaten 4-0 by Atalanta over two legs as its quadruple bid crumbled during the last run-in under Jurgen Klopp . And the Serie A side has now snapped up a player who was playing on Merseyside at the time.

Ben Godfrey has joined Atalanta from Everton for a fee of around $10.9 million (£8.4m/€10.0m) and spoke about the Reds during his first press conference in Italy. The former Norwich City defender wasted no time in endearing himself to his new fans.

"Carlo Ancelotti was one of the first who I contacted once I learned of Atalanta’s interest - he immediately advised me to go there," Godfrey explained. "Serie A is a Championship [which is] very strong where all the teams are tactically prepared.

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"The Champions League is the dream of most soccer players. At Everton, everyone was happy that I came here, like how they were happy with Liverpool’s elimination in the quarterfinals of the Europa League ."

Godfrey, 26, had lost his place in the Everton team under Sean Dyche, making a move to a Champions League side a surprising one. Atalanta could face Liverpool again next season in UEFA's top competition after the Reds secured a return ahead of Arne Slot's arrival.

Liverpool.com says: Godfrey has done well to get himself a move to Atalanta having fallen down the Everton pecking order. A bit like Amadou Onana, it was a surprise to see him get a decent new club after not doing that much at Goodison Park.

As for speaking about Liverpool, he was only doing his best to endear himself to his new supporters. It's the kind of thing that everyone loves when it's one of your own team's players!