Jamie Carragher: Liverpool Failed to Sign Former Manchester United Captain Nemanja Vidic

Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher says in the club were in contention to sign ex-Manchester United captain Nemanja Vidic in January 2006.

The Serbian centre-back eventually moved to Old Trafford from Spartak Moscow for a reported £6m and went on to become one of the finest foreign imports in English football history, winning 10 major honours including five Premier League titles.

Following a glittering career with United, Vidic joined Inter Milan at the end of his contract where he has made five league appearances this season but has been powerless to prevent two defeats already this term.

Writing in the Daily Mail, Carragher said: "[Vidic was] my type of defender. Liverpool tried to buy him in January 2006, but our loss was United's gain. I'd have loved to have played alongside him and I'm sure we could have formed a solid partnership.

"He loves defending and putting his head in where it hurts. His arrival took Ferdinand's performances up another level. They became the best defensive pairing in Europe."

After missing out on Vidic, who went on to become United's captain despite a string of knee injuries during the back end of his career with the club, Liverpool secured deal for Daniel Agger to bolster their defence under then manager Rafael Benitez.

Agger returned to Brondby during the last transfer window after the club signed Dejan Lovren from Southampton following continual reports over his future on Merseyside.

While Vidic earned a reputation as among the most dominant defenders in the Premier League era, he suffered from bouts of complacency in games against Liverpool, being sent off three times in league meetings between the north west rivals.

Vidic made over 300 appearances for United during eight years at the club, his crowning achievement coming as he won the Champions League in 2008, following a penalty shot-out victory over Chelsea in Moscow.