Diego Costa has revealed he was close to joining Liverpool in 2013 - a year before he eventually swapped Atletico Madrid for Chelsea.

Costa was targeted by Reds boss Brendan Rodgers, who met the Spain international's£21million release clause.

The 26-year-old had made 24 starts at the Vicente Calderon Stadium in 2012-13, battling for a regular place in the side alongside Radamel Falcao, and admitted a move to Anfield had tempted him.

But Costa became Atleti's first-choice striker following Falcao's £50million move to Monaco and opted to remain in Madrid, penning a five-year deal, after 'overcoming difficulties' to earn his starting spot in Diego Simeone's side.

“I was close to leaving Atletico," Costa told the Sunday People.

“Liverpool are a great team, but after fighting so hard and overcoming difficulties to get my place at Atletico, how could I leave?

“I thought it was very important to keep growing with Atletico and to play there for many years.”