Liverpool player admits he held transfer talks with Pochettino over Spurs switch

Gini Wijnaldum has revealed he spoke to Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino about a possible switch before joining Liverpool.

The former Newcastle United midfielder moved to Anfield two years ago for £23million and held talks with Tottenham prior to his switch, but felt that Liverpool wanted to complete the deal quicker.

The 27-year-old signed a five-year deal with Liverpool and admits that he does have admiration for both Mauricio Pochettino and the style of Tottenham’s play.

He told The Telegraph: “I met Pochettino when I left Newcastle. I just felt Liverpool wanted to come to an agreement quickly.

“Tottenham have shown over the years the quality of their players and manager.

“I see Tottenham as a team like us, wanting to play good football. They are always looking for solutions in the game and play as we do.

“That’s why people say this is a ‘big game’. In the situation we are in, they say it makes it bigger.”

Tottenham dismantled Liverpool 4-1 at Wembley last season in a match which Wijnaldum missed due to a knee problem and admits that Spurs are a similar side to Liverpool in their ambitions to top the Premier League table.

“Not a good day,” he recalled. “I like Tottenham as a team – Dembele, Eriksen, Son, Alli. I could name them all. We are in a similar situation, trying to chase the team at the top.”