Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher has revealed which Premier League winnerhe was looking for Liverpool to sign in last summer's transfer window, although he does now admit that said player is currentlyunder-performing.
The Reds signed a host of players for the current campaign, splashingout over £60m on a, including the likes of Sadio Mane and goalkeeper Loris Karius.
But whilst some of those signings have proved a hit at Anfield and helped Jurgen Klopp's team mount a serious title challenge, Carragher admits he regrets that the Reds didn't make a move for Leicester City's Riyad Mahrez.
In his column with theMail, the 38-year-old wrote:Mahrez angled for a move but no suitors were forthcoming.
"I was desperate for Liverpool to sign Mahrez. I loved watching him last season, he used to get me out of my seat the way he would cut in from the right flank on to his left foot. I was shocked none of the giants made a bid for such a gifted wide man, who scored goals and created plenty of assists."
Jamie Carragher on Leicester: "Right now, they are ticking every box you would look for in potential relegation candidates." pic.twitter.com/0f6dtaKfGx
The Algerian played a crucial role in the Foxes' astonishing title winning campaignlast season andwas rightfully named the PFA Player of the Year for his contribution.
Although Mahrez was linked with a host of clubs, the winger chose to stay at the King Power and subsequently signed a new four-year contract.
Sadly for the Foxes, his performance levelshave dropped significantly since signingthe contract extensionand Carragher believes that the 25-year-old should be receivingmore criticism for his poor form.
The former Liverpool defender added:Look at how he has played, though, since signing his lucrative new contract. At this stage last year, he had scored 10 times ” a haul which was responsible for 11 points ” and created a further six goals. This year? He's scored three penalties in the Premier League, which have been worth a point.
The drop in his performance levels hasn't attracted anywhere near the scrutiny that Dimitri Payet is getting.�
Mahrez missed his team's heavy 5-0 defeat to Porto last Wednesday but is likely to feature in Leicester's next two league matches, which sees them play both Manchester City and Bournemouth in the space offour days.