Liverpool target had 'suitcase ready' for Reds transfer this summer before dream move collapsed

Mexico winger Cesar Huerta has revealed he was all set for a switch to Liverpool, with his "suitcase ready" before the move fell through . Last month, Central American reports hinted that the Reds were eyeing the 23-year-old Pumas UNAM player.

Broadcaster TUDN reported that Huerta was on the brink of sealing a permanent transfer to Liverpool , which would have involved a season-long loan to Sunderland before joining the Anfield squad next summer.

However, it seems the deal hit a snag due to Sunderland's manager Regis Le Bris not giving the green light, leaving Huerta to stay put at UNAM. Now, after his contract runs out this season, the left-winger has suggested that his window of opportunity to join Liverpool might have closed.

"There was an issue," Huerta told AS following Mexico's goalless match against Canada in Texas. "I had my suitcase ready, but it fell through because of an issue.

"I know that sooner or later, if I keep doing things right, I'll get the opportunity. I know it's a train that only comes once and I'm focused on Pumas."

Over the weekend, UNAM's president Luis Raul Gonzalez Perez shed some light on why the sale of Huerta didn't go ahead.

"It had nothing to do with the club or his intention," he remarked. "On the contrary, they recognized the qualities of Huerta. External circumstances of the teams themselves meant it could not materialize. I repeat, not because of the quality of Huerta, but because of external circumstances."

Liverpool later beefed up their offensive line-up before the transfer cut-off by signing Federico Chiesa from Juventus with an upfront fee of $13m (£10m). Giorgi Mamardashvili also completed his move to Liverpool but will not join until next summer.