Andy Robertson insists he will leave Liverpool with his "amazing relationship" with owners Fenway Sports Group intact as he revealed that a new contract was never officially tabled.
And the vice-captain admits that the end of an era is near at Anfield as he and Mohamed Salah prepare to conclude a decorated period that saw Liverpool win two Premier League titles, the Club World Cup and Champions League in 2019, two Carabao Cups and the FA Cup, four years ago.
Robertson revealed on Thursday that his ninth campaign on Merseyside will be his last one.
Tottenham Hotspur are currently leading the race to sign the left-back, who started on Saturday as the Reds beat Fulham 2-0 at Anfield and received a huge ovation at full-time alongside Salah, who explained his own decision to leave during the March international break.
Robertson confirmed he nearly left the club last summer and during the January transfer window and says the decision to finally walk away was agreed upon after long-term talks with key figures at Liverpool, which ended without a new deal actually being offered.
"There have been discussions all season," the Scotland captain said. "Last summer I was close to having a decision to make and I decided to stay. It was the same in January. It was more a discussion with the club and it was an open and honest conversation.
"I've always said I've had an amazing relationship with the owners and people like that. It was just a sit-down with my wife to see what we wanted next and obviously we'll see where we go, but it's important to end this story and we'll see whatever comes next.
"I want to play, so that was where the discussions came. It's not like I've knocked back a contract or anything, there was no contract on the table. It was a conversation we all had. It was a conversation of: 'Okay, this is what I want to do, I want to play and I believe I've still got the ability to play'. I think I have showed that this season.
"Look you can't be promised [starts] at this club - and that's absolutely fine. It can't be promised at any club. But it's also maybe time for the story to end and obviously me and Mo both made that decision this year.
"You're not getting any younger. I saw a picture the other day of the Champions League final and even from the big squad picture, there's only five or six of us left.
"Look, these eras come to an end. That's what's happening - and in the next couple of years some of the other lads will leave in terms of their contracts and things like that.
"All good things come to an end. I've been here nine years and I couldn't have dreamed of it being any better with all the trophies I've won. To stay at a club like this for nine years is something I'm incredibly proud of and it's now time for me and my family to let Liverpool crack on and I'll look back on some amazing memories.
"[The fans' reception meant] everything. They have been amazing with me since day one, so they mean a lot to me. They know that, so it was nice to get my name sung. Obviously the announcement came this week. It means I don't have to lie to everyone so it's a weight off my shoulders.
"That was the main reason to do it, but now I am really focused on just trying to finish the season as strongly as possible because that's what this club deserves from me. I've done that since day one and I won't stop until I leave."
The 32-year-old also confirmed he wants to resolve his long-term future before his World Cup campaign begins in June.
Robertson will lead Scotland out at their first World Cup since 1998 and he is eager to have his next move mapped out before the big kick-off, against Haiti on June 14.
He added: "The phone has been ringing with people saying 'congratulations'. Things went off on Thursday night, with a lot of texts and a lot of messages from friends and family to just congratulate me on the nine years I've had here.
"That's what I am focused on just now. I am fully focused on getting Liverpool to where I believe they belong, so I can leave them in the best place possible.
"I will be looking to sort my future out sooner rather than later. I don't want to be going to the World Cup with anything hanging over my head, so there will be conversations and things like that, but as of yet, there's nothing.
"I know the contract stuff was kept to ourselves - and this will be kept to ourselves. Until a decision is made, we'll see where things land for me and my family.
"There's so many (memories). I have been so fortunate to be involved in so many good games and so many celebrations of trophies and things like that.
"I'm just honoured, first of all, to play for this club, but to win all those trophies and to be spoken about the way I've seen over the last couple of days is really pleasing and emotional for me and my family.
"I couldn't imagine it to be much better. I've had so many good games here, in terms of the fans and big victories, feeling so important, so to pinpoint one is impossible. I can look back on so many memories - and thankfully they've all been happy ones."
