Roy Hodgson insists Liverpool were never in the market for Utrecht striker Ricky van Wolfswinkel this summer.
The 21-year-old Holland international, who will line up against the Reds in the Europa League on Thursday night, was one of a plethora of players linked with a move to Anfield in the transfer window.
But asked about the speculation by reporters in Holland last night, Hodgson said: "There was no question of him coming this summer. You've hit me with a name that I didn't know we were linked with.
"He's doing very well now and having a wonderful time with Utrecht. But I'd be lying to you if I said he was a player we'd considered before this."
van Wolfswinkel has scored 13 goals in as many games so far this term, including a hat-trick in a 4-0 victory over Celtic.
Hodgson believes this result provides further evidence that Dutch football is on the up once again.
And the Liverpool boss is expecting a severe test in the Stadion Galgenwaard.
"I won't say Dutch football is having a renaissance but it is enjoying a very good period," said Hodgson. "I was at the Ajax game on Tuesday when they played very well against AC Milan and probably deserved to win the game.
"We've seen Twente draw at home with the European champions, and Utrecht beat Celtic 4-0. We're playing a very good team on Thursday night and we'll have to be very good if we're going to get a result in the game.
"We knew when we got to the group stage that it would be a tough group because this competition is full of good quality European teams.
"We've played five games and won all five. We've had difficult games - two matches against Trabzonspor, a game against Steaua Bucharest. These are tough opponents."
Reporters probed Hodgson on how many points he felt would be required to qualify from Group K.
He replied: "Nine or ten would be my guess but I wouldn't put a bet on it if I were you because I'm not very good at these 'How many points do you need' games."
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