Liverpool's failed US medical and "not fair" argument that prevented transfer

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers knew exactly who he had wanted to replace the departed Luis Suarez.

It was the summer of 2014, and fresh from just missing out on the title, the Reds had suffered the blow of losing their talismanic Uruguayan to Barcelona, via a bite on Giorgio Chiellini at the World Cup.

That player? Alexis Sanchez.

Barcelona's Chilean attacker possessed many of Suarez's qualities, and he looked to be a perfect replacement for his fellow South American.

The problem was that Arsenal had wanted him too.

Perhaps sensing a chance for revenge for being denied the chance to sign Suarez via their £40m+£1 bid the previous summer, Arsene Wenger was determined to inflict this double blow on a side he'd have been worried were moving past his own.

Not only had Suarez now left, but he could block Liverpool from signing the payer they really wanted as his replacement. He was striking while the iron was hot.

There are many who say that it was Sanchez's preference for living in London that ultimately saw the Gunners secure the deal, while others will point out that Liverpool simply didn't work hard enough, but either way it was back to the drawing board when the Chilean joined up with Wenger.

No problem, Liverpool had a second choice.

Loic Remy had just scored 14 goals in 26 appearances at Newcastle in the 2013-14 season, having joined the Magpies on loan from relegated QPR.

Available for a bargain £8.5million to a club in the Champions League, it seemed like a no-brainer of a move. Liverpool pounced, although they were keeping quiet about it.

"Until they are signed and agreed to come in I will only talk about them then," said Rodgers as Liverpool prepared for pre-season at Fenway Park in Boston, although everyone knew that the writing was on the wall by now.

Remy, who had scored goals at Marseille prior to his move to the Premier League and was in the France squad that had just played at the World Cup, had no qualms about being the second choice to Sanchez, and he flew to the States to undergo his medical with the club. Suarez's old No.7 shirt was prepared for him.

But he would never wear it.

The Frenchman's medical check had shown up an old heart problem, and that was enough for Liverpool doctors to flag the issue to Rodgers and his transfer team.

"We have made a decision, as a club, not to go ahead with the deal," a more downbeat Rodgers said the next time he faced the press.

"It's unfortunate for the player. We are disappointed for the player. But these things happen.

"It's happened before and there's nothing more to be said and we will move on and look at other targets."

For Remy though, there was a more than a little bitterness.

His heart issue had been something that he was aware of, and it hadn't stopped him from joining new clubs in the past. Indeed, it wouldn't stop him now.

A few weeks after the failed medical he did get his £8.5million move to a Champions League club, joining Chelsea.

"I came for the medical tests and everything was fine and after that they wanted to be sure everything was fine with my heart," he said shortly after as he explained the Liverpool collapse.

"They asked for a specialist for the heart and apparently the guy said they did not 100 per cent agree if I could keep going or had to stop football.

"I didn't understand because they knew before I came. I just told my agent if it is not happening it is because it is not for me.

"Now I am much better here at Chelsea, I'm very happy to be here and that's why I say everything happens for a reason."

Remy would score 12 goals in 47 appearances for the Blues, picking up the Premier League and League Cup in his first season, and and he wasn't happy with how he was treated by the Reds.

"There are a lot of players with the same case as me. I don't know why the people think it is a big thing that can stop me playing football," he said.

"I was more confused by Liverpool saying that I had medical problem because it is not fair.

"I have seen the best specialist in London and he has told me I can still play so it was not good from them.

"Even if they don't want to sign me, okay, but they don't have to put that in the newspapers because, then, all the other clubs after are afraid."