Liverpool news: Houllier reveals why Reds turned down chance to sign Cristiano Ronaldo

When Ronaldo was a teenager coming through the ranks at Sporting Lisbon, Liverpool were one of several clubs alerted  to his talent.

But Houllier says a wage structure in place at Anfield during his time in charge meant a move for the now Real Madrid striker was off the cards.

"I saw him in the Toulon Under 21 tournament and we went for him," admitted Houllier.

"But we had a wage scale and we weren't paying the sort of salary he wanted.

"Then Manchester United played a friendly against Sporting Lisbon and all their boys said to Sir Alex Ferguson: 'You have to sign him'."

Despite the Reds not being able to pull off an impressive deal, Houllier does not regret the decision.

"Maybe we would have won the title with Ronaldo, but we had Harry Kewell, who was outstanding at the time and was very hungry but got a bad injury," Houllier added.

"I agreed with not breaking the wage structure. I thought it would cause problems in our dressing room."

Ferguson did manage to get his man and the Portuguese star signed for United in 2003 in a deal worth £12million.

Ronaldo went on to win three Premier League titles and the Champions League as he made a name for himself at Old Trafford.

Since then he's picked up four Ballon d'Or trophies and become Real Madrid's leading goalscorer of all time.