7 Sept 2015

Confirmed: 110-goal striker was close to 'joining Liverpool'. 2 'offers made' but transfer failed

Back in 2010, Liverpool were heavily linked with a move for Swedish attacker Ola Toivonen, and Kenny Dalglish - an LFC 'Ambassador' at the time, scouted the giant forward on behalf of Roy Hodgson. Liverpool went on to sign Andy Carroll for £35m (!), and today, Toivonen has once again revealed his 'regret' over failing to seal a move to Anfield.

At the time of Liverpool's interest, the Telegraph reported:

"Liverpool are closing in on a deal to sign PSV Eindhoven's Ola Toivonen. PSV are holding out for £13m, with Liverpool currently only prepared to pay £10m"

Speculation arose again prior to the January 2014 transfer window, with The Mirror claiming:

"Liverpool are exploring the prospect of landing Swedish star Ola Toivonen on loan until the end of the season"

Speaking to the Northern Echo today, 29-year old Toivonen noted:
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"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".

Toivonen told Sky Sports the same thing back in 2014:

"The only thing I regret from my PSV time is that I did not fight enough to get the club to let me join Liverpool. They made two offers whilst Roy Hodgson was the coach".

Toivonen - who can play as an attacking midfielder or a striker - grabbed 110 goals/assists in 199 appearances for PSV, which is pretty impressive, and, from 2010 to 2013 - the period of Any Carroll's time at Anfield - the Swede had the most productive time of his career:

* 73 goals/assists in 113 apps.

* Goal/assist every 1.5 games.


Toivonen - whose career total is 110 goals/42 goals/assists in 308 games - clearly would've been a much better option than Andy Carroll, and a hell of a lot cheaper, too.

If LFC made offers during Hodgson's tenure, then it's probable that Toivonen (recently rated in the £15m bracket) was a preferred choice over Carroll, who signed very soon after the LFC speculation.

All I can say is, damn you, PSV! If you'd allowed Toivonen to leave, Liverpool would've been spared the Andy Carroll debacle.

Author: Jaimie K


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