"?Liverpool made an approach for Hoffenheim's central defender Niklas Sule during the summer transfer window, "?according to Sports Bild.
The Reds were heavily present during the transfer window, and signed Estonia captain Ragnar Klavan and former Schalke man Joel Matip as new central defenders to compete alongside Dejan Lovren and Mamadou Sakho for the upcoming season.
According to Sports Bild, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp was keen on signing German international Sule, 21, but the Hoffenheim defender reportedly rejected the approach in favour of developing at the club he signed for back in 2010.
"I need my familiar environment and to be constantly playing at my level even further," he told German publication Sports Bild, with Sule also the subject of interest from European giants Borossia Dortmund, Roma, Napoli and AC Milan.
Sule was reportedly eager to continue his development with Hoffenheim coach Julian Nagelsmann, who has played a large part in the German's early career.
Nagelsmann, who took over as the Hoffenheim boss in 2016, has had coaching roles at German club since 2010, including roles with the U17s and U19s, and maintains that Sule needed the correct man management earlier during his career.
"He has always interpreted his role very offensively and needed, from time to time, a between the horns. That did not hurt him when you see how much he has developed," the 29-year-old manager stated.
Niklas Sule could have proven a useful addition for Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool side, who have so far conceded six goals during their opening three Premier League games, picking up four points in the process.
Sule played for Germany's Olympic football team, making six appearances as his country picked up a silver medal in Rio de Janeiro.