Sunderland‘s Ola Toivonen has claimed that Liverpool previously tried to bring him to England and says he “regrets” not making the switch to Anfield.

The 29-year-old attacking midfielder recently linked up with the Black Cats and his former PSV Eindhoven boss Dick Advocaat in a season-long loan move from Rennes, but the Swedish international told the Northern Echo (h/t Joe Short of the Express) that he missed out on a dream transfer to Merseyside:

I have had opportunities to come to the Premier League before; a couple of years ago it looked like I would be joining Liverpool when Roy Hodgson was there. Not fighting hard enough for that to happen is something I regret in my life. I am 29 so when I look back I will be pleased that I took the opportunity to move to France to try out a new league also.

I experienced how it is to live there, experienced a new language and culture so it was a nice time. But I always wanted to play in the Premier League so when I got the call from Sunderland it was a quick decision to make.

Toivonen made his name at PSV during a successful five-year spell but took the opportunity to move to Ligue 1 in 2014. Last season saw the Red and Blacks finish mid-table in the league, with Toivonen scoring seven goals in 28 starts, per WhoScored.com.

It is clear to see why Roy Hodgson was interested in the lofty midfielder, who is also comfortable in the striker’s position.

Toivonen is the kind of talent Hodgson tactically relates to, but it is questionable whether Liverpool supporters would have been satisfied with such a purchase, given the team’s Champions League ambitions. 

 

Ezequiel Lavezzi‘s Long Goodbye

Argentina international Ezequiel Lavezzi has spoken of his potential farewell season at Paris Saint-Germain, admitting he might leave the French capital at the end of the year—with Liverpool interested in the tricky attacker.

The 30-year-old told Telefoot (h/t Liam Corless of the Mirror) that he is happy to be playing with his great friend Angel Di Maria, but the partnership is likely to be short-lived, as the winger keeps his options open:

The truth is I want to stay because I have a lot of faith in the team. This year we brought in players that really reinforced the team. I’m very happy for new signing Angel Di Maria, it’s always good to play with your friends. He is a great player, I hope he adapts quickly. I think it’s my last year in Paris. But I’m okay and I want to finish it the best way possible. You never know what can happen. Today I want to stay, tomorrow we’ll see.

Lavezzi has been one of Europe’s most dynamic and exciting forwards—during his time at Napoli and PSG—however he has steadily fallen down the pecking order at the Parisians, and a move is likely if he wants a starting berth. 

The player scored eight goals in 30 Ligue appearances last term, per WhoScored, but he started as a substitute in 11 of those matches. 

Lavezzi and Di Maria have already started to prove their worth as an attacking duo, after the Argentinians recently combined for a fine goal for PSG, per Sportskeeda:

The player was linked with a move to Liverpool 12 months ago, as reported by the Express’ Jamie Anderson, with the writer declaring: 

A host of European giants including Inter Milan, Fiorentina and Atletico Madrid are known to want the forward, but the lure of the Premier League could see him destined for Anfield. The sale of Luis Suarez to Barcelona and the injury to Daniel Sturridge has exposed Liverpool’s forward line to be somewhat suspect.

Rickie Lambert, Fabio Borini and Mario Balotelli, though good player’s, may struggle to seamlessly adapt to the infamous ‘Rodgers ethos’ of energetic and incisive football.

Anderson’s assessment was accurate, with Lambert, Borini and Balotelli all failing to make the grade, leaving Rodgers to look elsewhere for striking talent. 

Lavezzi would be a shrewd purchase by Rodgers as he looks to add experience to his front line. The continued absence of Sturridge leaves the Reds permanently hamstrung, and the energy of the Argentinian would be perfect for English football. 

Roberto Firmino will need time to prove if he is a goal threat, but if Rodgers wants a player who could offer inspiration and goals, Lavezzi would be the perfect solution at an affordable price. 

The weight of expectation is now on the shoulders of Christian Benteke, but the Belgian has been known to experience goal droughts, meaning Rodgers must add another striker in the next 12 months. 

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