Sardar Azmoun insists that he has no regrets at not joining Liverpool in January.
The FC Rostov striker emerged as a target for the Reds amid concerns at the void left by Sadio Mane’s departure to the Africa Cup of Nations with Senegal.
Jurgen Klopp was also forced to contend with Philippe Coutinho being sidelined until the middle of the month with an ankle injury picked up in November.
Although no approach from Anfield was forthcoming, Azmoun admits that he would not have felt comfortable about curtailing his development at Rostov.
“There were talks of Liverpool having expressed an interest in me during the past winter transfer window,” he told SC.QA.
“However, I did not feel the time to move was right.
“I would have ended up playing a few games and then spent a great deal of time on the bench as Liverpool were only looking to fill a void for a particular part of their season.
“I want to move to a big club to develop as a player and therefore I will time the move with great precision.
“I am sure I will be playing for a top European club in the near future.”