Joe Jordan has revealed that Tottenham Hotspur tried to sign Andy Carroll before the striker moved to Anfield.
The 23-year-old joined Liverpool from Newcastle United in January 2011 for £35m, a price that Jordan admitted was simply too high for Spurs.
He told Sport Express: "We tried to buy him but Liverpool comfortably beat us to it."
So far, Carroll has failed to replicate his strong Tyneside form with the Reds, but Jordan is convinced that it is just a matter of time before he does.
He added: "No disrespect to Newcastle, but Liverpool are a far more massive club. They are huge worldwide. The expectancy is so much greater, particularly when you arrive for a lot of money.
"Andy needs time to adapt to Liverpool's ways and they need to adapt to him, but along the way it will happen."
Spurs coach Jordan scored 11 times for Scotland during his playing career.
Robert Summerscales
