MOISES CAICEDO insists it was "impossible" not to join Chelsea - despite a huge "last moment" offer from Liverpool.
Britain's most expensive player ever has struggled since his £115million summer switch from Brighton.
And Anfield boss Jurgen Klopp has now suggested he was "lucky" the Reds failed with bids for Blues' summer recruits Caicedo and £58m Romeo Lavia.
But Caicedo claims Liverpool never stood a chance of signing him anyway.
Jurgen Klopp's approach with Robert Lewandowski bodes well for Darwin Nunez
The Ecuador anchorman, 22, told Sky Sports: "It was impossible to say not to Chelsea, because they were with me supporting me.
"In the last moment Liverpool called me but it was [too] late because I wanted to play for Chelsea."
However, the 38-cap star also revealed his record move was not without its problems.
Brighton realised early last summer their top asset was sure to go.
That sparked a bidding frenzy eventually won by Chelsea.
But whether the Blues will see the capture of Caicedo as a victory in the long term depends on how dramatically he transforms his fortunes.
FREE BETS - BEST BETTING OFFERS & NEW CUSTOMER BONUSES
Mauricio Pochettino's erratic side sit just 12th in the Premier League, with the defensive midfielder in and out of the team.
A knee problem and international duty have hampered Caicedo.
But his form has been way below his Brighton level - persuading Pochettino to hold a special meeting with him to talk through any issues.
Celtic icon Frank McGarvey dies aged 66 as tributes paid to hero after cancer fight
Meanwhile, with Liverpool top of the Prem, Klopp felt able to make a cutting jibe this week at Chelsea's spending woes.
The German said: "The summer we had a few strange things happen in the transfer market but here, between us, I can say, 'My God, were we lucky, eh?'
"We didnât know that in that moment and it didnât feel like it in that moment, but yeah, Iâm really happy that it worked out, but you never know before."
The Reds instead spent £148m in all on Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister, Ryan Gravenberch and Wataru Endo.
Klopp added: "We obviously realised that other central defensive midfielders donât want to join Liverpool.
"You see what happens, and then we found Endo. Heâs an exceptional player."
