Jordan Henderson admits a proposed move away from Liverpool was the the turning point in his career.
Liverpool skipper Henderson was offered to Fulham in 2012 as part of a deal to take Clint Dempsey to Anfield.
Former boss Brendan Rodgers was willing to let Henderson go but the move failed to materialise.
Henderson knuckled down and won back his place and was named as the club's captain the following season after Steven Gerrard's exit.
Speaking on the proposed exit, Henderson told talkSPORT : "That was a crucial period in my career, not only my Liverpool career.
“I thought that moment was big, and it was a tough moment, but one that I feel helped me, looking back now.
“I don’t know what would have happened if I didn’t have that moment. It was tough at the time but thankfully it worked out okay in the end.
“To be fair to Brendan, he was brilliant with me after that point; he helped me grow as a player and as a person, and I really matured under him.
“It was a blessing in disguise really.”
Liverpool take on Manchester City this weekend and can open up a nine-point lead on their title rivals with victory at Anfield.
But Mohamed Salah has warned his teammates that a win for the Reds will mean little in the title picture.
"They were talking about that in December last year when we were six or seven points ahead," Salah told Sky Sports.
"Even if we win, it is a long way. We are in November, it is too early to talk about the Premier League."
