• Premier League

Agger was 'tempted' to join Barcelona

Daniel Agger has started just five games this season © Getty Images

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Liverpool defender Daniel Agger has revealed he was tempted by the prospect of joining Barcelona during pre-season, but says staying at Anfield was an easy choice to make.

Agger, 28, was the subject of interest from the Spanish champions over the summer and came close to ending his seven-year stay on Merseyside.

However, he opted to remain at Anfield and has been a mainstay in Brendan Rodgers' defence as Liverpool have started the season in impressive fashion.

Ahead of this Saturday's Merseyside derby, which could see the Reds move temporarily back to the top of the Premier League, Agger revealed it was Liverpool's desire to keep him that made him decide to spur Barca's advances.

"I think you are always tempted when stuff like that happens," Agger told the Times. "You would not be human not to be, but I keep to my principles.

"If I have a contract here for two or three years and the club want me to stay, then I stay with them because, when I signed that deal, that's what I told them - that I'd be here for four years. I can't just turn around and say I don't want to be here anymore.

"It might have been different if the club had said it was in the best interests of both of us to go our different ways. In that case Barcelona would have been the best place to go, without a doubt, but the club came to me and told me they wanted me here.

"I'm not saying I wasn't tempted, because anyone would be in that situation, but for the club to say that to me was enough. I am happy here and my family is happy here also and that's a good combination."

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