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Jurgen Klopp was keen to sign Darwin Nunez back in 2022(Image: Getty Images)

Liverpool passed up the chance to sign Alexander Isak when they instead chose to spend a then club-record fee on Darwin Nunez - which left Newcastle with a free run at the Swedish star when they signed him in 2022.

The Reds landed the Benfica star in an £85million deal after he had performed impressively in Portugal, which led to interest from a number of clubs around Europe.

Years later though, after winning the Premier League and the Champions League, he had even more influence.

The club's former director of research Ian Graham has admitted that Klopp's say over transfer activity was a major factor in Nunez, who had scored against the Reds in the Champions League, being picked over Isak.

READ MORE:Liverpool can offer Marc Guehi dream shirt number with summer transfer closeREAD MORE:Alexander Isak to Liverpool: Eddie Howe's private reaction with talks planned

He told the Financial Times: "Jurgen created a lot of success for the club, so it’s understandable why it moved in that direction,' Graham said.

In 2022, he signed Darwin Nunez instead of Alexander Isak.

Within months of his signing Klopp was having to defend Nunez's record in front of goal as he finishing kept deserting him.

Isak has scored several big goals against the Reds and is now valued at well over £100m with the Magpies determined to keep their star man.

Since their arrivals Nunez has scored 25 goals in 95 Premier League games.

Meanwhile Isak, who has had to deal with injury woes whilst at St James' Park, has struck 54 goals in 86 Premier League games.

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