Since then, a number of players have claimed to have been targeted by the Anfield outfit, with Tottenham Hotspur new signing Rafael van der Vaart the latest.

“Bayern (Munich) were not interested, but Liverpool were interested,” he said. “In the end you have to have a good feeling, and with Harry Redknapp I got a good feeling.

“I am happy I am going to Spurs. I am going to give it my best and hopefully I will play a lot of games and be important for the team.”

Hodgson had earmarked a season-long loan for Bayern Munich striker Mario Gomez, but the German claims the move was blocked by the Bundesliga club.

“I have said that if I leave Bayern I will go abroad,” said Gomez. “Then came this interesting offer from Liverpool. I took the loan offer seriously and discussed it with my family and girlfriend because I just want to play.

“But Bayern gave me the impression that they see a future for me. And therefore a change was not an issue anymore.”

Meanwhile, Napoli left-back Andrea Dossena cannot wait to return to Anfield to face former team Liverpool in the Europa League this season.

Dossena left Merseyside in January to sign for Napoli after 18 months on Merseyside, and will hope to be part of the Serie A side that hosts Liverpool on October 21 before the return on December 4.

“The first thing that came to my mind after the draw is that I will return to Anfield Road,” said Dossena. “The second is that I will finally have the possibility to show the Liverpool fans who the true Dossena is.

“I’m excited about that meeting and I really want to play in that stadium. I don’t feel a sense of revenge and rancour, I just want to play a great game.”