Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp has no regrets over his failure to sign Liverpool's Uruguay striker Luis Suarez.
The 24-year-old was on Redknapp's radar as the Spurs boss searched for a partner for Rafael van der Vaart, only to sign for Kenny Dalglish's team for £22.8million in January.
Adapting swiftly to the Premier league, Suarez has fired four goals in 11 appearances and Redknapp has been impressed with his progress.
"Suarez has done very well. We looked at him and kept looking at him. We talked about signing him," he said.
"People felt he couldn't play as a striker and I had Rafa.
"People said you can't play him and Rafa, you'd have two players who want to drop deep, so that was the problem.
"But he played up front on his own the other night at Fulham and was fantastic. He looks a top player.
"There's no regret that we didn't go in for him, that's how it goes. You can't sign everybody.
"We had Rafa and if anything we were looking for someone to play up front with Rafa.
"Suarez and Andy Carroll could be a real handful together next season."
Liverpool's fortunes have been transformed under Dalglish, whose success was rewarded on Thursday with a new three-year contract.
Redknapp is a big admirer of the Scot and believes the Reds will be a major force next season.
"Kenny has done a great job since he's taken over," he said.
"He's a top man, a different class, a proper legend of the game. Liverpool fans love him, he's Liverpool through and through.
"It's a great club with a great tradition and I'm very pleased to see Kenny back in charge there.
"Next season Liverpool will be stronger again. Suarez has done great and there's Carroll up front too.
"Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher are the backbone of the team and they have a fantastic keeper in Pepe Reina. They have the nucleus of a very strong team."
Finishing in fifth place brings with it a place in the Europa League, though qualifying for Europe's second tier competition is viewed by many as a hindrance rather than a benefit.
Redknapp acknowledges the tournament is not without its difficulties, but would still love to finish above Liverpool in the Premier League.
"You want to finish as high as you can. I want to go to Liverpool and win," he said.
"It's important to finish as high as you can and that's fifth place for us.
"Qualifying for the Europa League would be a double-edged sword, but I still hope we make it.
"I want to go to Liverpool and win. You want to win every game. We want to finish above Liverpool if we can.
"How many times has that happened? Not many. We have to do that if we can."
