He told the Athletic: "Jrgen had made up his mind and I was quite clear that it was the right time for me to come forward. In the last three years, I have said no to many clubs.
"The reason why I always stayed was out of loyalty to Jrgen and FSG. I really wanted to go and show what I could do."
Lijnders insists he never considered replacing Klopp as Liverpool manager.
"Jrgen asked me about it a few times in recent years. The season before I was asked by Jrgen and twice this season, but each time I said 'no'. The first reason was that I really felt that this was 'our' project.
"Jrgen led it and I really felt that we should finish this project together. Secondly, I have been in Liverpool for almost ten years. I was ready for a new experience: new people, my own staff, my own players. I gave everything I had to this playing group. I think the team would continue in the same way if I stayed here. I feel the team also needs something new. But I never knew 100 percent what my answer would be if Mike Gordon called me. You say 'no, no, no', but then"
