Piotr Zielinski has revealed why he turned down Liverpool despite claiming Jurgen Klopp ‘wanted me badly’.
Approaches fo the Poland international were made as early back as January but the erstwhile Udinese playmaker opted against joining the Reds.
A renewed approach was made this summer but amid a host of interest from Serie A clubs, Liverpool eventually conceded defeat to Napoli.
And Zielinski insists he has no regrets in sealing a £13 million move to the Partonopei ahead of Anfield.
“I really wanted to start the preparations for the new season with a new team as soon as possible,” he told Przeglad Sportowy.
“I knew that Liverpool wanted me badly and I knew they would return to the talks as I got that promise in January.
“It didn’t work out for them with Udinese at the end. Milan’s offer was dependent on the club’s takeover by Chinese investors.
“With Napoli, I knew the coach and lots of the lads from the team. I’m happy I came here.
“I think it is ideal in terms of my football characteristics. I’ve met plenty of technical players.
“I found myself in Napoli and I feel more confident day by day.”
The 22-year-old also offered an insight into why Liverpool’s original approach failed to find favour with him in January.
He added: “There were days when I was walking out of home, looked into my mobile and I didn’t know what to do.
“I spoke a lot with Konrad Golos and Tomasz Dawidowski – my managers from the agency representing me.
“Everyone said: ‘great offer, Klopp wants you, it’s a fairytale in terms of finances’. All fine, but I wasn’t convinced.
“I was driving my car and I said to my girlfriend: ‘No, red light, I’m not leaving’. I felt great in Empoli, I didn’t want to leave the lads when we were battling for the European places.
“My head was a mess. Liverpool finally got a plane and I met with Jurgen Klopp. He said he wanted me in his team.
I saw a different world and after returning my head was even a bigger mess.”