Juventus legend Alessandro del Piero claims he rejected Liverpool over the summer.

Del Piero is now playing in Australia and says he turned down the Reds in respect to the victims of the Heysel tragedy.

"Why I said no to Liverpool? Negotiations with Sydney were already advanced and then I thought about what had happened at Heysel," Del Piero told Gazzetta dello Sport.

"Juve and Liverpool were able to rebuild the relationship, but for many people that tragedy is an indelible memory. I thank all the clubs which wanted me, but I'm convinced of my choice."