‘Love him’: Klopp admits he was ‘angry’ Liverpool failed to sign £11m ace

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Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp admits he wanted to take Dusan Tadic to Anfield before the Ajax playmaker left the Premier League for a fresh start at the Eredivisie giants, speaking to RTL.

And with Ajax hosting the troubled Merseyside giants at the Johan Cruyff Arena on Wednesday night – a place in the Champions League knock-out stages not yet secured for Liverpool – Tadic certainly has an opportunity to show Klopp and co what they’re missing.

Since leaving Southampton in the summer of 2018, the 33-year-old Serbia international has been the driving force behind one of the most successful eras in Ajax’s recent history. There’s been six trophies. A handful of glittering performances on the European stage (remember that Real Madrid masterclass?).

And, to cap it all, almost 100 goals.

As far as signings go, you won’t find many better pound-for-pound deals than the one which brought Tadic to Amsterdam for £11 million.

Jurgen Klopp wanted Ajax star Dusan Tadic at Liverpoo.

‘I was very angry with myself when he went to Ajax,” admits Klopp. “Because I was also interested in him. I love him as a player.”

Liverpool made a habit of snatching star players from Southampton’s clutches. From 2014 to 2018, they snared Virgil van Dijk, Adam Lallana, Rickie Lambert, Nathaniel Clyne, Sadio Mane and Dejan Lovren. But Tadic is one of the few who slipped through Klopp’s fingers – much to the German’s obvious dismay.

One of the 21st century’s mosst underrated schemers has not been at his lustrous best so far this term, however. He has just two goals in all competitions.

Ajax, having picked up just three Champions League points so far, need Tadic to roll back the years when Liverpool come to town.

“It will be difficult against Ajax,” adds Klopp, his Liverpool side reeling from that 1-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest. “Ajax are still very good.

“Yes, we won the home game but we respect what they do. They have a great bunch of players. It might take time for it to click the way you’d like, but that’s normal in football. Ajax has a great team and a top manager, so it will be trick.

“I don’t see an underdog role for this match.”