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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Tom Cavilla

'I love him' - Jurgen Klopp admits transfer regret over Ajax star Liverpool are preparing to face

Jurgen Klopp has admitted he was left disappointed after seeing Dusan Tadic leave Southampton for Ajax back in 2018.

The Serbian playmaker enjoyed four years in the Premier League between 2014 and 2018 and played against the Reds a total of ten times during this period, winning on three occasions. A selection of these games saw Tadic lining up alongside Sadio Mane, prior to the Senegalese star signing for Liverpool in the summer of 2016.

Since returning to the Eredivisie, a division he also featured in between 2010 and 2014, the 33-year-old has been highly influential and a key player for Ajax. He registered an astonishing 38 goals and 23 assists in his first season at the club, which included the team reaching the semi-finals of the Champions League.

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Tadic has continued to shine for the Dutch giants and will look to prove his quality when Ajax go head-to-head with Liverpool tonight. One individual who has made clear of their respect for the Serbia international is none other than Klopp, who has spoken out on his frustration after seemingly missing out of the chance to bring the midfielder to Anfield.

"I was very angry with myself when he went to Ajax because I was also interested in him," Klopp told Dutch broadcaster RTL (via Ajax Showtime ). "I love him as a player".

Under contract at Ajax until 2024, Tadic will become a free agent in two years unless he agrees a new deal with his employers prior to this date. He has captained his club in each of their 11 league fixtures this term, which have resulted in nine wins, one draw and one defeat.

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