Real Betis playmaker Nabil Fekir has admitted that he went through a "dark moment" as his proposed move to Liverpool in the summer of 2018 fell through.
Coming off the back of a Ligue 1 season in which he scored 18 goals and set up seven more in 30 appearances for Lyon, Fekir was widely expected to complete a move to Anfield.
However, talks for the Frenchman broke down before he ultimately joined Real Betis the following year, and he has since denied that his injury woes prevented him from linking up with Jurgen Klopp's team.
Speaking to The Times, the 28-year-old said: "It was a dark moment. I saw plenty of things which weren't true. It was said the knee stopped me going to Liverpool but that wasn't true.
"I went to Clairefontaine [France's football centre near Paris], and they did all the proof [medical] and the knee was fine. I had a problem with my agent, my adviser. It was the agent [who was] responsible for the deal not going through.
"Of course I was disappointed not to go to Liverpool, very disappointed because Liverpool are a great club. I met the coach, Jurgen Klopp, and it went well. After meeting him, I wanted to join Liverpool even more. He's a good person.
"It was really difficult to deal with as I really wanted to go to Liverpool. It was a moment that was not easy for me."
Fekir has since registered 12 goals and 13 assists during his two seasons in a Betis shirt, but his deal with the La Liga side is due to expire in 2023.
Ben Knapton
