Manchester City's Abu Dhabi family owners reportedly "tried and tried" to buy Liverpool before agreeing a deal to take over at the Etihad Stadium.
According to former Reds skipper Graeme Souness, Sheikh Mansour's purchase of City may never have happened if the billionaire got his Anfield wish.
Speaking on Sky Sports' Football Show, Souness recalled a conversation he had with businesswoman Amanda Staveley, who was involved in the purchase of Man City in 2008.
He said: "I went to Dubai, 12, 13 years ago. Stayed in Atlantis Hotel, arrived early afternoon.
"Walked around 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,' she said.
"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.'"
Liverpool's fortunes have transformed under the ownership of FSG and reign of Jurgen Klopp.
But it is fair to say the course of recent Premier League history may have altered drastically if these claims are correct - and Tom Hicks and George Gillett had thought differently.
"You should be thanking your lucky stars that dosh didn't end up in Liverpool," Souness added to Man United legend Gary Neville on the show
.jpg?w=600)
