Jamie Carragher thinks Liverpool have definitely considered signing 26-year-old Tottenham player

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Liverpool have definitely looked at the possibility of bringing James Maddison to Anfield in the past.

After being linked with a move away from Leicester City for the past few years, Maddison finally left the King Power to join Tottenham Hotspur this summer.

So far, the 26-year-old has been a revelation at Spurs, prompting the question of why Liverpool never solidified their interest in him. Well, writing for The Telegraph today, Carragher thinks he has the answer.

“His [Maddison’s] throwback style extends to his on-field role,” says the Reds legend. “With the utmost respect to Maddison and Spurs, it explains why his options during the summer did not include Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool.

“I have no doubt all watched him for Leicester and at some point over the last three years considered signing him. The reason they said no is because Maddison’s most effective position is unfashionable for elite coaches.

“Jurgen Klopp inherited a number 10 in Philippe Coutinho, but it was only after the Brazilian left Anfield that the team became more balanced and Liverpool won the biggest trophies.

“My suspicion is that Guardiola, Klopp, Mikel Arteta and Mauricio Pochettino took a look at Maddison and were swayed more by what he does not do more than his qualities.”

Carragher shares Maddison theory

When Maddison was being linked with Liverpool over the past couple of years, he always seemed to split opinion.

There were those who saw the England international as being one of the Premier League’s best and most creative midfielders. But there were also those who felt that Maddison would be unable to make the step up from Leicester to Liverpool.

Ultimately, we’d argue that both are perhaps true, and that Carragher is – as he often is – right on the money here.

There’s no question that Maddison is a supremely gifted player. He’s been showing that at Leicester for years and has hit the ground running at Spurs, too.

But the expectations at Tottenham are currently lower than they’ve been for years. Without European football of any kind, Ange Postecoglou has inherited a team who can only really go up right now. That suits Maddison.

The same would not be true had he joined Liverpool, City or Arsenal. Even at Chelsea, where they’re having a shocking time, the pressure would have been different.

It may be that Maddison would be able to make that jump with ease and we’re doing him a disservice. But maybe Carragher is right, players like him are no longer suited to playing in the top, top sides. Let’s hope he doesn’t make Liverpool regret that tomorrow!