Not sure about this.
Yes, we did miss out on Greaseball, Alves, Villa, Aguero, but...
Would they be the players they are today had they signed for us?
Hate to say this, but Ronaldo went through 3 years of shittiness, Fergie had an arm around him, INCLUDING the Eng-Portugal episode.
You think there's anyone at Liverpool offering him the same treatment?
Plus, United's way of playing (attck attack attack) must surely benefitted him.
For us - look at Babel. Great great potential, yes he doesn't defend, gets dropped like a hot potato. He's the best example of what we could've done to Ronaldo, Alves, Aguero and Villa.
Pongolle and le Tallec didn't fare better either.
If you're no the developed article, your career would probably have come to a halt in Liverpool.