The Reds had been hopeful of securing a deal for the 25-year-old, but, following late interest from Tottenham and then Chelsea, the Anfield outfit missed out on the Brazilian

Brendan Rodgers has hinted that Willian's decision not to join Liverpool is related to money and not football.

The Anfield club were reported to have made the first approach for the Brazilian winger, but were gazumped by Tottenham before a late bid from Chelsea ensured Rodgers missed out on the former Shakhtar Donetsk man.

But while the Northern Irishman admitted that he was disappointed not to have signed the 25-year-old, he questioned the reasons behind the player's choice.

"It's disappointing because this was a player who would have been perfect for us," Rodgers admitted. "It wasn't a football [decision] and I don't really want to go into it… that's for us as a club really.

"The bottom line is he hasn't come here for whatever reason and we move on.

"We identify the targets and then try and get the deal done financially. That's how it was.

"The club has pushed financially as hard as they felt they could but it wasn't to be."

Willian only signed for current club Anzhi Makhachkala in January but has now been made available for transfer after the Russian outfit moved to off-load some of their top earners.

Jose Mourinho has confirmed that Chelsea are now leading the race for the Brazilian's signature, despite the playmaker having had a medical with Tottenham.