Graeme Souness has suggested that Manchester City's owners initially wanted to buy Liverpool.

Since being purchased by Abu Dhabi United Group Investment and Development Limited in 2008, City have enjoyed the most successful period in their history, winning four Premier League titles and seven cup competitions.

However, Souness has claimed that Amanda Staveley, who is currently involved in negotiations regarding a takeover of Newcastle United, told him that they had failed to convince Tom Hicks and George Gillett into parting ways with the Merseyside outfit.

Speaking to Sky Sports News, Souness said: "I went to Dubai, 12, 13 years ago. Stayed in Atlantis Hotel, arrived early afternoon. Walked round the hotel with my wife and my son and went to the Nobu restaurant which was empty just after lunch.

"On the way out someone came over and introduced themselves, then a lady came over she introduced herself as Amanda. 'I'm a Liverpool supporter'.

"During the conversation she said 'I'm responsible for taking the Abu Dhabi family to Man City' and I said, 'but five minutes ago you said you were a Liverpool supporter - why did you not take them to Liverpool?'

"She said: 'I tried and I tried but Gillett and Hicks were so difficult to deal with, they just walked away in the end'."

Two years later, Liverpool were sold to Fenway Sports Group.