Sadio Mane has insisted he never considered turning down a contract offer from Liverpool amid rumours of interest from Real Madrid.
The Senegalese was repeatedly linked with a move to the reigning European champions by a number of Spanish publications over the summer.
Although a transfer failed to materialise, speculation continued to intensify as negotiations over fresh terms at Anfield dragged into the new season.
However, it was announced in November that Mane had committed his future to the Reds, agreeing a deal that came into effect at the turn of the year.
And the 26-year-old has now explained that he always planned to join the likes of Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah in extending his stay on Merseyside.
"Speculation is part of football," he told World Soccer. "You just learn to live with it and not to take it too seriously.
"All I can say is that my only concern is Liverpool. Mo, Bobby... it seemed like everyone was signing contracts and they were saying: 'Hey Sadio, when are you going to sign?' I said to each of them: 'Don't worry bro, I will sign'.
"And what did I do? I signed... so they are pleased now!
"I'm very happy here and I think people are happy with me too. We want to write our names alongside the many great ones in the story of this club. Hopefully it's the beginning of something special."
Mane has played a crucial role in Jurgen Klopp’s side carving out a four-point lead at the top of the Premier League with 23 games played.
On the prospect of ending the club’s 29-year wait for a top-flight title, he added: "It would be an amazing moment for the club. It has been far too long for a team the size of Liverpool.
"We believe we are heading in the right direction, but there are some very tough rivals - City were unbelievable last season and very strong again - but why not?"
