Loris Karius claims he had to convince Jurgen Klopp to let him leave Liverpool.
Karius joined Besiktas on a two-season loan after losing his place as the Reds’ first-choice goalkeeper to the club’s new £67 million recruit Alisson Becker.
The German endured a difficult end to last season with an error-prone display in the Champions League final defeat to Real Madrid dominating headlines.
But Karius says that Klopp remained keen on him staying at Anfield despite the stopper securing a move to the Istanbul-based outfit last weekend.
“He told me he would like to have me in the squad because he wants to have the best-quality players,” said Karius.
“But I spoke to him and asked him for my wish. It is important to me to play for Besiktas. I talked with him for a long time and he understood my situation.
“It was a good deal for everyone. He wished me well but said he would have liked to keep me.
“I came here because I think I can make the next step in my career, improve as a player and also help the whole team to improve.
“I’m still young for a goalkeeper. I want to make the next step and hopefully win many titles with Besiktas.”