SOCCER:HARRY REDKNAPP has revealed he considered signing Luis Suarez in January but opted against making a bid after being told by scouts the Uruguayan was not up to the grade.

Redknapp’s disclosure will set Tottenham Hotspur supporters wondering what might have been, as Suarez went on to sign for Liverpool and become a major factor in that club’s reinvigoration, while Spurs’ attempt to qualify for the Champions League fizzled out largely because of their inability to turn possession into goals.

Suarez will be seeking to show Spurs what they missed tomorrow, as Liverpool meet Redknapp’s team at Anfield in a match that could determine which of the sides finishes fifth. Redknapp said he dispatched scouts to watch Suarez at Ajax before Liverpool paid €26 million for him but was informed the player was not adept at leading the line and was too similar to Rafael van der Vaart, for whom Spurs were seeking a partner.

“We kept looking at (Suarez) but people thought he couldn’t play up as a striker,” said Redknapp. “They said he’s like Rafa (van der Vaart) and you can’t have him and Rafa or you’d have two players who want to drop deep. We were looking for someone to play up front with Rafa. People said he couldn’t do that, he drifts and comes deep. But he played up front on his own (against Fulham on Monday) and he was fantastic.”

Not only has Suarez created many chances for team-mates since his arrival at Anfield, but in his 11 league appearances he has also scored four goals – the same as Spurs’ Peter Crouch and Jermain Defoe have each managed in the league all season.

“If we want to get in the top four next year, we’ll have to push on,” stated Redknapp, who says rival managers have told him they are going to spend heavily in the summer.

“They’re all going to have a go next year. I talk to all the managers: Manchester United are going to have a go again, Chelsea will have a go again, Manchester City are going to have a massive go, Liverpool are going to make a big push. I haven’t spoken to Arsene Wenger but I imagine Arsenal will have a go as well this year, so it’s going to be even tougher to get into that top four next season.”