Napoli star reveals he turned down Liverpool despite being boyhood fan

New Napoli signing Jesper Lindstrom has revealed he spurned interest from Liverpool over concerns about potential game time.

The 23-year-old joined Napoli from Eintracht Frankfurt in a €30m (£25.5m) deal last month, despite rumblings of interest from Premier League clubs including Arsenal, Newcastle and Liverpool.

While there were some reports linking Lindstrom – who largely operates as a right winger – to Anfield, most of Liverpool's summer was focussed on recruiting midfielders, with Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Wataru Endo and Ryan Gravenberch the four who came through the door by the close of the window.

Where Lindstrom would have actually fit in at Liverpool remains to be seen but, nevertheless, the player has now confirmed the Reds' supposed interest in him this summer, telling Tipsbladet that he chose Napoli because he had concerns about whether he would see much action at Anfield.

The former Brondby star also said that he made his decision despite being a Liverpool fan.

“There was Liverpool, but would I get playing time?" he is quoted as saying. "Would it be smart to go to Liverpool? I’m a Liverpool fan.

“So, it could also be an insanely cool experience. But if I’m not playing, I might as well sit and watch them on TV for another club. I’m at an age now where I have to play some football.”

On why he opted for Napoli over other suitors, Lindstrom added: “That’s why I think Napoli is a good move. It’s a top club in the world and they have said that I’ll play and I’ll get a lot of chances.”

In addition to Lindstrom, Liverpool were also linked with Johan Bakayoko and Ansu Fati at various points in the window as potential backups or even successors to Mohamed Salah.