Moreno snubbed Klopp contract as he reflects on "strange" Liverpool time

Alberto Moreno has revealed he turned down a five-year contact extension at Liverpool back in 2019.

The left-back moved to Anfield in 2014 from Sevilla when Brendan Rodgers was in charge.

Jurgen Klopp inherited the Spaniard but his minutes began decreasing after a string of error-strewn performances.

When Moreno left for Villarreal he had been usurped by Andy Robertson in the starting XI.

Despite that though Liverpool offered the left-back a lengthy contract extension - which he turned down.

"In my fifth year, I was offered to renew, for another five years. I said no. We'd had many years in England," Moreno told El Periodico Mediterraneo.

Alberto Moreno turned down a contract extension at Liverpool ( Image:

GETTY)

"I have three children and spoke with my wife, and we decided that the best thing was to return to Spain. I just wanted to go back to Spain."

Moreno made 91 appearances in his first two years on Merseyside but when Klopp began exploring other options his opportunities decreased.

James Milner spent a year at left-back which ultimately limited the Spaniard to 50 games in his final three years.

Andy Robertson's arrival gave Liverpool another alternative at left-back and the Scot was thrown in when Moreno was injured.

The former Hull man quickly established himself and remains a key figure.

Moreno admits Klopp retained faith in him but couldn't justify bringing him back in for Robertson.

"They were beautiful years, but strange things also happened and others where I had bad luck," he claimed.

"I started the first two years playing constantly, but then, in the third year, the manager put James Milner at left-back. I didn't play at all that year and it wasn't easy.

"After that, I spoke with Jurgen Klopp about my situation and he told me he was counting on me. I had a great pre-season and was a starter in the Premier League, playing every game in both the league and the Champions League.

"In fact, Lopetegui called me and I returned to the Spain team, but I was unlucky, and in the last game of the Champions League group stage, I injured my ankle.

"The coach put in Robertson, who was my substitute. And the truth is that we must admit that he did very well and won the title.

"In fact, Klopp, who I get along phenomenally and is always on my face, told me: 'Alberto, I trust you, but now I can't take [Robertson] off'."

Moreno made just five appearances in his final season, two of which came in the league.

His injury problems continued at Villarreal, where he suffered a cruciate ligament injury to his left knee.