Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has admitted that he turned down the chance to sign Sergio Aguero.
Benitez has revealed that The Reds were offered the chance to sign Aguero in 2006 when he was 17.
However, the Spanish coach thought he was too young and did not want to pay what his club, at the time, Independiente were wanting.
Atletico did pay around £14million and now just two years on he is regarded as one of the best players in world football.
Benitez will face Aguero on Wednesday when The Reds travel to Madrid for their UEFA Champions League clash.
"Two years ago the agents were talking with us about players and he was one of those but he was too young," Benitez told The Times.
"Atletico paid big money for him, around 18million euros [about £14million] for a player who was a risk.
"In the Premier League it's different and sometimes players will need more time here to improve."
Another player who will come face-to-face with Benitez is Florent Sinama-Pongolle - who departed Anfield after he failed to impress during a three-year stay on Merseyside.
The Frenchman is now producing some good form and Benitez admits he was only sold because he had too many forwards.
"We had a lot of confidence in him, we knew that he's a good player but he needed to play games," Benitez said.
"We had Crouch, we were bringing in Torres, it was a question of space."
Benitez has revealed that The Reds were offered the chance to sign Aguero in 2006 when he was 17.
However, the Spanish coach thought he was too young and did not want to pay what his club, at the time, Independiente were wanting.
Atletico did pay around £14million and now just two years on he is regarded as one of the best players in world football.
Benitez will face Aguero on Wednesday when The Reds travel to Madrid for their UEFA Champions League clash.
"Two years ago the agents were talking with us about players and he was one of those but he was too young," Benitez told The Times.
"Atletico paid big money for him, around 18million euros [about £14million] for a player who was a risk.
"In the Premier League it's different and sometimes players will need more time here to improve."
Another player who will come face-to-face with Benitez is Florent Sinama-Pongolle - who departed Anfield after he failed to impress during a three-year stay on Merseyside.
The Frenchman is now producing some good form and Benitez admits he was only sold because he had too many forwards.
"We had a lot of confidence in him, we knew that he's a good player but he needed to play games," Benitez said.
"We had Crouch, we were bringing in Torres, it was a question of space."
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