Tomáš Ujfaluši is a retired defender who has had spells with the likes of Fiorentina, Atlético Madrid and Galatasaray during his playing career.
The 42-year-old appeared as guest on Fiorentinanews.com’s Instagram page and spoke on several topics, including his decision to turn down a chance to move Liverpool more than a decade ago.
Rafael Benítez managed the Merseyside club from 2004 to 2010 and two years before his exit from Anfield, he wanted to sign the former Czech Republic international for the Reds.
Unfortunately for the Premier League side, Ujfaluši rejected them for the Madrid based club in 2008.
“I also chose to go to Atletico Madrid to play in another league. Benitez also wanted me at Liverpool,” Ujfaluši told Fiorentinanews.com.
Ujfaluši, however, has not provided an explanation as to why he rejected the English side.
Having failed to land Ujfaluši from Fiorentina in the summer of 2008, Benítez and Liverpool ended up without a new centre-back for the 2008/09 season.
Liverpool are not the only side turned down by Ujfaluši as he had an opportunity to join Juventus. However, his affection for La Viola and their fans convinced him to say no to the Turin club.
“Fiorentina family was a real family. Me close to Juventus? Yes, I could have gone to Juventus, but I couldn’t do it out of respect for the purple fans who are always in my heart,” the former defender stressed.
