The Swiss star, 23, was desperate to make a switch to Anfield after being frozen out at Bayern Munich.
Brendan Rodgers pursued a £12m move but he was knocked back by the German giants. Liverpool instead signed Adam Lallana.
The Reds remained interested in Shaqiri following the news that Steven Gerrard was retiring - but any hope of signing him was ended when Inter Milan swooped to complete a six-month loan deal.
Shaqiri said: "In the end I had a lot of options, very lucrative offers.
"And I was on the phone with very many coaches who talked to me about their ideas.
"But just I felt that Inter did most to get me. My gut feeling was with Inter.
“I had wanted to join Liverpool over the summer, but Bayern would not agree to it.
"That was not easy for me, but I had to accept it. That’s why I am glad that it has worked out with this move in the winter."
