Photo of Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool target published on social media

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Meaningful meeting between the pair or lucky coincidence? The latter seems most likely.

Rubin Kazan forward Sardar Azmoun has triggered memories of Liverpool’s interest in him by uploading a photo taken alongside Jurgen Klopp to Instagram.

The Iranian expressed his admiration for the German by accompanying the image with the caption ‘the best’.

With Azmoun pictured in full training gear, there is uncertainty over how recently the photo was taken although Klopp’s 2017/2018 Presentation Suit suggests it can’t have been too far in the past.

♥️♥️♥️ the best

A post shared by IAmSardar (@sardar_azmoun) on

Liverpool’s supposed pursuit of Azmoun was predominantly triggered by Sadio Mane’s departure for the African Cup of Nations, which proved costly in hampering the Reds’ form following the turn of the year last season.

Danny Ings’ long-term absence with a knee injury also led Klopp to seek potential backups, with his eventual failure to adequately strengthen threatening to cost Liverpool their top-four finish.

Azmoun was plying his trade with Rostov at the time having signed permanently with the Russian club after spending the 2015/2016 campaign on loan from Rubin Kazan.

The 23-year-old has since re-signed for the latter and therefore looks unlikely to be on the move again any time soon.

With 22 goals in 30 appearances for his national side, Azmoun, not by his doing, continues to flaunt a bold ‘Iranian Messi’ nickname in the media.

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