06 September 2023 , 08:47
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Jesper Lindstrom has admitted he is a Liverpool supporter - despite rejecting Jurgen Klopp's side to join Italian champions Napoli.
Liverpool tried to sign Lindstrom, 23, from Eintracht Frankfurt during the summer after a promising two-year spell in Germany. The attacking midfielder, who can also play on the wing, scored 12 goals and provided nine assists in 57 Bundesliga games.
Yet Lindstrom rejected the Reds to join Napoli in August. The Denmark international, who started his career with local club Brondby, made his debut for the Serie A champions by coming off the bench during their 2-1 home defeat to Lazio on Saturday.
Although Lindstrom wasn't interested in joining Liverpool this summer, he could still become a part of Klopp's squad on day. His main reason for rejecting the Reds was due to a fear of not playing consistently, believing he will get more of a chance at Napoli.
"It was Liverpool and I am a Liverpool supporter, so it would've been a madly fascinating experience, but would it have been an intelligent move?" Lindstrom told Danish paper Tipsbladet. "If I don't play, then I may as well sit in front of the TV and watch them play there while I am at a different club. I am at an age now where I have to play football.
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"This is why I think Napoli represents a good change. It is one of the best clubs in the world and they said I will have many opportunities to play."
Klopp already has several forwards at his disposal, including Darwin Nunez, Diogo Jota and Luis Diaz. The Liverpool manager also has a number of options in the attacking midfield role, such as Cody Gakpo and new £60million signing Dominik Szoboszlai.
Jurgen Klopp could still sign Lindstrom in the future (Liverpool FC via Getty Images)Do you think Jesper Lindstrom was right to reject Liverpool? Let us know in the comments below!
Napoli can also offer Lindstrom Champions League football this season after Liverpool finished fifth in the Premier League last time out. The Dane has signed a five-year deal with the Serie A winners after they agreed a €35m (£30m) deal with Frankfurt.
Lindstrom was very popular during his time in Germany. As quoted by the Bundesliga, Frankfurt goalkeeper Kevin Trapp said: "Jesper has already made significant steps forward... you can see that he's an outstanding footballer and has very good technique."
Lindstrom won the Europa League and was named as the Bundesliga's Rookie of the Season at Frankfurt. He's scored once for Denmark and played at the World Cup in Qatar.
Ex-Frankfurt manager Oliver Glasner has also said: "You can see that he has found his feet in the Bundesliga. He has more confidence now because he's performing well."