Vladimir Smicer has revealed how his move to Liverpool back in 1999 transpired.
The Czech Republic legend left French club Lens to link up with the Reds around 17 years ago and has told LFC TV's '60 Minutes with... Vladimir Smicer' how exactly the transfer came about.
Smicer was informed of Liverpool's interest by fellow compatriot Patrick Berger when Spanish giants Real Madrid were on the verge of landing Steve McManaman.
Smicer said: "Patrik was the first to tell me Liverpool were interested in me [because] Steve McManaman [could] go to Real Madrid as he didn't sign a new contract.
"He said, 'There's a place for you'. There were talks between the clubs and I had to wait because it was not easy but in the end it happened.
"He told me in January and so [over] six months we were hoping it was going to happen at the end of the season.
"I can say that even in May it was not done, I was not sure if I would really go or not because there was a question over the price."
Smicer became a cult hero at Anfield after playing a key role in Liverpool's dramatic 2005 Champions League triumph over AC Milan, scoring the club's second goal as they came back from 3-0 down to force a penalty shootout, in which he converted his effort from 12 yards to give the Merseyside outfit their fifth top flight European title.
