Joe Cole believes his spell at Liverpool was hampered by injury and admits he could have joined Tottenham Hotspur before arriving at Anfield on a free transfer in 2010.
Cole, who was the first signing of former manager Roy Hodgson, spent just one full season on Merseyside before being shipped out on loan to French outfit Lille. He eventually rejoined West Ham United, the club where he started his career.
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When asked about signing for Liverpool as a free agent, the 38-year-old, who has retired from football after a spell with Tampa Bay Rowdies in the United States of America, said: "I needed to stay in England, I had a young family.
"Then it got down between Liverpool and Spurs and I just couldn't wear the Spurs shirt. It would have ruined all of [his spells with West Ham and Chelsea]. It would have ruined it for me."
Cole made more than 30 appearances during first campaign as Hodgson was replaced by Kenny Dalglish but failed to make an impact.
He admits injury issues blighted his time at Liverpool but says wearing the strip was a 'special' moment in his career.
"Unbelievable experience," he said. "I tried everything. My body just wasn't allowing me to do it to the level that was required at Liverpool at the time.
"It's tinged with a little bit of regret but the people were great there. To pull on the shirt is a special thing because it's a massive club."
