Brendan Rodgers insists Gylfi Sigurdsson's wage demands scuppered his proposed move to Liverpool.
A deal had been struck with the Iceland international for him to return to Swansea, where he had spent the latter half of last season on loan, but when Rodgers moved to Anfield that move hit the rocks.
The Reds then appeared to be in pole position to secure his services because of the player's relationship with the manager, but when discussions began over finances, Rodgers discovered the 22-year-old was asking for more money than he had agreed at Swansea.
Rodgers did not feel that was justified and, as a result, Sigurdsson signed for Tottenham - with the midfielder claiming the London's club's ambition and quality squad persuaded him to move to London.
"He wasn't playing at Hoffenheim, I brought him to Swansea and he did very well for me there, scoring seven goals in 19 games and was very good," said Rodgers, who succeeded Kenny Dalglish just over a month ago.
"He and I both sat and spoke and believed that playing football was going to be the most important aspect for him.
"But obviously it was important financially so we agreed a deal for him to go to Swansea and that was wrapped up.
"I then became the Liverpool manager and that then wasn't something that was going to happen at Swansea so he then had a choice of where he wanted to go.
"I knew what the market was and I wasn't prepared to pay anything over what I had known was agreed before.
"Liverpool would have provided Gylfi with a wonderful opportunity to perform with a manager that he knows and at a club which is a real footballing institution.
"But he's decided to go to Tottenham, for whatever reason.
"I wish him the best, he's a good kid and there's no ill feeling. We've got other targets and we'll move on."
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