Jamie Carragher has expressed disappointment Lionel Messi is staying at Barcelona - but didn't want him to sign for Liverpool.
Messi confirmed on Friday he will see out the final year of his contract at Camp Nou having previously gone public with a desire to depart during this transfer window.
League Cup winners Manchester City had been among the front-runners for the 33-year-old's signature.
And while having been keen to see Messi turning out in the Premier League, Carragher believes it wouldn't have made sense for Liverpool to move for the Argentina international.
“If you are asking me as a lover of football if I wanted Messi to come to the Premier League then absolutely, yes," said the Anfield legend.
“Did I want him to go to Man City? Yes, because I just wanted him in the Premier League. I wanted to watch him every week – and it would have been amazing.
“Did I want Liverpool to sign him? No. If I was a City fan, would I have wanted City to sign him? No.
“Standing back and looking at the numbers involved and the age of the player, I am not sure I would have wanted my team to sign him."
Speaking to the Mirror, Carragher added: "Would he have made City better? Of course.
“But Liverpool still beat Barcelona 4-0 - and Barcelona didn’t win the league this year and have not won the Champions League for a long time.
“We are talking about one of the greatest players, but just because you get him there is no guarantee of success.”
Take our LFC pre-season survey here.
