The now-Chelsea forward was on the brink of a move to Anfield this summer before the Reds pulled the plug on a deal, citing a failed medical as the reason

Chelsea striker Loic Remy has confirmed that Liverpool snubbed the chance to sign him due to medical concerns over his heart.

The France striker underwent a medical at the Merseyside club in the close-season and appeared on the verge of a move from QPR to Anfield, only for the deal to collapse.

Remy, who subsequently left Loftus Road to switch across London to Chelsea, has now revealed how his proposed transfer to Liverpool fell through and expressed frustration about the negative speculation that surrounded it.  

“I came for the medical tests and everything was fine and after that they wanted to be sure everything was fine with my heart,” said the 27-year-old in the Daily Star.

“They asked for a specialist for the heart and apparently the guy said they did not 100 per cent agree if I could keep going or had to stop football.

“I didn’t understand because they knew before I came. I just told my agent if it is not happening it is because it is not for me.

“Now I am much better here at Chelsea, I’m very happy to be here and that’s why I say everything happens for a reason.

“There are a lot of players with the same case as me. I don’t know why the people think it is a big thing that can stop me playing football.

“I was more confused by Liverpool saying that I had medical problem because it is not fair.

“I have seen the best specialist in London and he has told me I can still play so it was not good from them.

“Even if they don’t want to sign me, okay, but they don’t have to put that in the newspapers because, then, all the other clubs after are afraid.”

The Reds Boss feels his side deserved to win the first Merseyside derby of the season, especially after seeing a spot-kick appeal turned down within the opening 10 minutes

Brendan Rodgers felt Liverpool were wrongly denied an early penalty in Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Everton at Anfield.

Phil Jagielka rescued a point for Everton in some style with a powerful injury-time equaliser from long range, cancelling out Steven Gerrard’s 65th-minute opener.

But Rodgers believes Liverpool should have been awarded a spot-kick inside the first 10 minutes when Gareth Barry appeared to handle a goal-bound shot from Raheem Sterling.

“The one where the ball was shot into the box and Barry grabbed it with both hands,” he told reporters. “That was nearly a save. And I don’t know what [the referee] was seeing because he had a good look at it.

“If your arms are above your head and you stop it as blatantly as that; how it’s not a penalty I’ll never know.”

Barry was already on a booking at the time and Rodgers added: “Maybe that was in the referee’s mind. For us it was disappointing because it was a clear handball.

“We certainly didn’t get what we deserved. I think it was very clear we were much the better side, and when you concede a goal like that so late on, it probably epitomises the luck that went against us.”

Rodgers could at least take heart from an improved Liverpool performance and the contribution of Gerrard, who has been criticised for his recent displays.

“He’s shown many times over the years that’s his range,” said Rodgers. “He was letting Mario [Balotelli] take a few [free-kicks] in the first half and I was screaming for him to take it.

“It was a goal that should have won the game, a wonderful free-kick, and I thought his performance was outstanding.

“I’m very proud of the players. Arguably should have had at least two more and have definitely had a penalty. So I think for us, it [the result] was disappointing but the performance was at a much better level.”

A stunning strike from the Toffees centre-back secured a point for the visitors, with Steven Gerrard having curled home a delicious free-kick earlier on in the second half

Phil Jagielka popped up with a stunning injury-time equaliser to earn Everton a 1-1 draw with Liverpool at Anfield on Saturday.

The hosts looked set to record a morale-boosting victory courtesy of a 65th-minute free-kick from Steven Gerrard, who now boasts nine goals in Premier League Merseyside derbies, more than any other player.

However, Jagielka levelled in stunning fashion late on, driving home a ferocious half-volley from distance to leave Simon Mignolet with no chance.

Exactly 15 years have passed since Everton’s last triumph at Anfield, but Roberto Martinez’s men will take great heart from the manner in which they claimed a point on this occasion.

Liverpool, once again without the injured Daniel Sturridge, were on top for much of the game, but failed to capitalise on their superiority and have now gone three Premier League game matches without a victory.

With Sturridge still unavailable due to a thigh problem, Liverpool brought in Lazar Markovic and Adam Lallana at the expense of Lucas Leiva and Fabio Borini.

Everton handed a maiden Premier League start to Muhamed Besic, while Tony Hibbert featured from the off in a top-flight game for the first time in 666 days with Seamus Coleman (head) absent and there were also recalls for Kevin Mirallas and Steven Naismith.

Gareth Barry was at the heart of the action in the opening 10 minutes as Liverpool started brightly.

The former England midfielder was booked inside a minute for a crude foul on boyhood Evertonian Adam Lallana.
After Romelu Lukaku had seen an appeal for a penalty turned down following a challenge from Alberto Moreno, Barry then appeared to handle a goal-bound shot from Raheem Sterling inside the Everton area, only for referee Martin Atkinson to remain unmoved.

Barry again escaped a second booking when tripping Mario Balotelli before Tim Howard made a fine save, diving to his right to keep out Lallana’s header from a corner.

Everton weathered the early storm and Lukaku tested Mignolet from long range prior to Leighton Baines delivering a dangerous low cross that Dejan Lovren did well to clear with Lukaku lurking.

Mirallas was withdrawn with an apparent hamstring injury in the 31st minute, Aiden McGeady taking his place, and Liverpool went close again before the break as Sterling forced Howard into action at his near post.

Strong defending from James McCarthy prevented Markovic from capitalising on a glorious Sterling throughball early in the second half.

With chances proving hard to come by, Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers replaced Markovic with Philippe Coutinho on the hour mark and Liverpool were ahead soon after.

Baines was adjudged to have fouled Balotelli 25 yards from goal and Gerrard stepped up to curl the resulting free-kick over the wall and beyond Howard, who got his left hand to the ball but could not keep it out.

Lukaku made a mess of a free header for Everton within two minutes, then Balotelli struck the crossbar from the next attack as the action switched from one end to the other.

The lively Balotelli saw an ambitious effort fly narrowly wide with 10 minutes remaining, but Jagielka found the net with an even more spectacular attempt in stoppage time to leave Liverpool stunned.