Liverpool really should have signed UCL 'baller' who left Daniel Sturridge raving last night - opinion

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Liverpool’s UEFA Champions League campaign has been as straightforward as they come, though the same can’t be said for other English clubs.

Although Arsenal have all but clinched a top-eight finish, Aston Villa’s blistering start in the competition has quickly petered out, whilst Manchester City astonishingly sit outside the play-offs spot after last night’s dramatic 4-2 loss against PSG.

One key reason behind Pep Guardiola’s side slumping to yet another defeat was because of PSG midfielder Joao Neves, who was named Man of the Match against City as the former Liverpool transfer target ran the show for the Parisian side in the French capital.

Indeed, Liverpool were one of many teams who missed out on Neves last summer, yet Daniel Sturridge’s praise for the midfielder really highlighted just how much the Reds might have potentially screwed up in not pursuing the youngster more.

READ MORE: What Diogo Jota had to say about former Liverpool target Joao Neves

Sturridge lauds Neves after PSG masterclass vs Manchester City

Taking to Twitter, the former Liverpool striker was blown away by Neves’ performance, with Sturridge writing: “PSG what a comeback!! Joao Neves = BALLER!! Future looking good for The Parisians, some serious young talent in their squad.”

Although Ryan Gravenberch has been compared to Patrick Vieira since emerging as the key player in Arne Slot’s Liverpool midfield, there’s no denying that missing out on a talent like Neves has stung for the Reds.

Indeed, the Portuguese international has gone from strength to strength since making his big-money move to PSG last summer, with last night’s performance at the Parc de Princes easily the crowing moment of Neves’ time in France.

And Neves’ display was one for the ages, with Sturridge well within his right to laud the former Benfica maestro for his outing against Benfica, and Liverpool will be kicking themselves for missing out on the 20-year-old.

Neves showed why Liverpool missed out big time last summer

Neves was one of Liverpool’s many midfield targets over the summer, with the Reds close to signing Martin Zubimendi before the Real Sociedad star decided to stay with the Basque country side having won the Euro with Spain.

And as per Neves’ stats from last night, the midfielder ran the show for PSG against City, with the Portuguese international putting on a performance that supporters of the French side won’t be forgetting any time soon.

Things could have been different had Liverpool landed the midfielder, though, and Neves display for Luis Enrique’s side against Guardiola will serve as a reminder of what could have been for the Reds had things unfolded in a new direction.