Emile Heskey left Liverpool for Birmingham City in 2004, but the forward could have joined AC Milan instead
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Former footballer and pundit Emile Heskey
Former footballer and pundit Emile Heskey(Image: Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
Former Liverpool striker Emile Heskey has revealed that he almost left the Reds for AC Milan, only to end up signing for Birmingham City instead. Heskey struck 60 goals in 223 games for Liverpool after becoming the club's record signing when he joined for £11m from Derby County in 2000.
However, following manager Gerard Houllier's departure in 2004, Heskey was sold to Birmingham City for £6.25m. But it could have been Milan rather than the Midlands for the now 47-year-old, who admits he didn't even know who managed the Serie A giants at the time.
It was Carlo Ancelotti leading the Rossoneri, and his Milan side would meet Liverpool in the final of the Champions League the following May, losing on penalties after surrending a 3-0 lead to draw 3-3 with Rafael Benitez's Reds.
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Asked which was the most interesting side he almost joined, Heskey pointed to the Italian giants.
Speaking to [Prime Casino](http://Prime Casino,), Heskey said: "AC MIlan. So I was leaving Liverpool and I was speaking to AC Milan. It's an interesting one. I was leaving Liverpool and I was talking to AC Milan about the possibility of going there, but I ended up in Birmingham.
"I’m not too sure who the manager was to be honest. I was talking to one of the technical directors about the possibility.
"It didn’t matter to me who the manager was sometimes, it was more about the opportunity. AC Milan would have been fun."
Heskey, who is one of only a select few players who have scored over 100 Premier League goals during his career, captured five major trophies during his time at Liverpool.
His partnership with Michael Owen helped spearhead Liverpool's charge to a silverware treble in 2001, with the League Cup, FA Cup and UEFA Cup all lifted that season. a UEFA Super Cup followed before another League Cup was won in 2003.
And Heskey admits that Liverpool's achievements in that era have often been overlooked.
He said: "I mean, we definitely get credit from Liverpool fans for what we did. It was a great period. You go to three cup finals, win them all - amazing.
"The reason we don’t get the credit from neutrals is because we didn’t win the league, and because the UEFA Cup isn’t as prestigious as the Champions League. But they’re all major competitions.
"One, the League cup, we've got to remember is the first available cup to win. So that sets you on a roll, that puts you on a pedestal already compared to a lot of teams.
"And then the FA Cup is one that everyone wants to win because the FA Cup is the game that everyone remembers when they were kids. We used to watch the FA Cup on television, everyone would be interested.
"Then the UEFA Cup, yes, it's the one below the Champions League, but it's still huge. Absolutely massive. So for me, some people give us enough credit, but United fans probably don’t!"