That’s the view of German transfer insider Raphael Honigstein who believes Liverpool pulled out of the running for the USA international “quite a while ago”.
Chelsea sealed a deal for Pulisic today, spending £58million on the midfielder.
He will be loaned straight back to Borussia Dortmund having been linked to a number of clubs in recent months.
That included Liverpool and Manchester United with both Premier League clubs seemingly keen on Pulisic.
But Honigstein has revealed that Chelsea won the race because they were the only ones to put a bid in.
“Liverpool were definitely in for him a couple of years ago, they pushed quite hard to get him and at that time Dortmund said ‘no chance, you are staying’,” Honigstein said.
“I think it became quite obvious that if he were to go he would command a really big transfer fee and at that point I think Liverpool looked at it and decided that ‘right now it is not what we need, not for that kind of money’.
“It is my understanding they pulled out of negotiations quite a while ago so it is not a case of him deciding between Liverpool and Chelsea or him deciding between Chelsea and Manchester United who also showed some interest earlier this season.
“But Chelsea were the one club really prepared to put an offer both to him and to Dortmund to make this happen and I think he felt he had to take it.”
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has given his own verdict on Chelsea’s newest star.
Klopp said: “Really good player for Chelsea. A skilled boy.
“I’ve known him for a while, good signing, good deal as well for Dortrmund.”
And Pulisic himself can’t wait to get started in the Premier League next season.
He said:“In summer I move on to Chelsea and to a new competition, the English Premier League.
“In summer I move on to Chelsea and to a new competition, the English Premier League.”
Chelsea take on Southampton tonight (7.45pm) in their first game since securing Pulisic.