Adam Lallana has dismissed suggestions that he refused to play for Southampton if they did not sanction his summer move to Liverpool.
Lallana, 26, sealed a £25m switch to Anfield in July but the move was preceded by reports that he had threatened to go on strike if the club's hierarchy rejected the bid.
"I didn't say I'd never play for the club again," he told reporters. "Once I knew of Liverpool's interest, I asked the club if they could come to an agreement and that it would be my wish to leave and join Liverpool.
"I just felt at the age I was at in my career and with [manager] Mauricio [Pochettino] leaving as well, it was [the] right time for me to test myself. It was a great opportunity.
"It's sad and I am disappointed that certain fans feel like that, but I can kind of understand why. They love Southampton, they are Southampton fans."
The England international netted his first goal for the Reds in Saturday's 2-1 home win over West Bromwich Albion.
Shane Callaghan
