PSV Eindhoven sporting director Marcel Brands has confirmed that Liverpool did hold talks with the club about signing Memphis Depay, despite Brendan Rodgers stating otherwise.
The 21-year-old Dutchman agreed to sign for Manchester United last week in a deal thought to be in the region of £25m.
Paris Saint-Germain and Liverpool were rumoured to be interested, but once Depay's summer move to Old Trafford was confirmed, Rodgers insisted that the Reds never wanted the winger.
However, Brands has claimed that Liverpool's chief executive Ian Ayre spoke to PSV about a possible transfer for Depay.
Brands told the Daily Mail: "There was a lot of interest in him. Finally we spoke with three clubs and we made contact. They knew what we wanted and then it was up to the player to choose the club where he wanted to play.
"I didn't speak with Brendan Rodgers. I had contact with Ian Ayre. I know there were some problems with [Daniel] Sturridge, maybe that changed the decision. I don't know. I'm not in the club of Liverpool. I don't know what the policies are inside."
Depay has scored 22 goals in the Eredivisie this season.
Danielle Joynson
