Liverpool has denied they approached Alessandro Del Piero about a proposed move to Anfield, after the Juventus legend claimed he rejected the Reds in order to respect those who died in the Heysel disaster.
Del Piero became a free agent at the end of last season following 20 years as a Juventus player and ended up leaving Italy for pastures new by joining Sydney FC, but said he had attracted interest from Liverpool.
The 37-year-old said he considered the offer from Liverpool but decided against a switch to Anfield as the feelings among some Juventus fans with regards to Heysel remain so raw.
"Why I said no to Liverpool? Negotiations with Sydney were already advanced and then I thought about what happened at Heysel," Del Piero told Gazetta dello Sport, in reference to the incident which saw 39 Juventus fans lose their lives.
"Juve and Liverpool were able to rebuild the relationship, but for many people that tragedy is an indelible memory. I thank all the clubs which wanted me, but I'm convinced of my choice."
Liverpool, however, has since responded to the veteran striker's comments and insists no contact was made as Brendan Rodgers scoured the market for goalscoring reinforcements.
"No attempt was made to sign Alessandro Del Piero," a club spokesperson told the Daily Mail.
"Nobody at Liverpool spoke to the player or his representatives at any stage about the possibility of him joining the club."
The recruitment of another striker remains a priority for Liverpool in the January transfer window, and the Reds will be even lighter in that department between now and the New Year after an injury to Fabio Borini.
The Liverpool forward sustained a broken foot in training with the Italy under-21s and could be sidelined for three months of the season.
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