Liverpool missed out on signing one former Premier League star after he decided the transfer "didn't feel right" despite being midway through his medical
The Liverpool FC badge on a corner flag during the UEFA Europa League group E match between Liverpool FC and R. Union Saint-Gilloise
One would-be Liverpool signing voiced his regret at turning down the Reds(Image: Getty)
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Former Premier League star Lee Bowyer regretted not joining Liverpool after bailing out of the £9million move midway through his medical. The late Gerard Houllier sorely wanted the midfielder but missed out because the transfer "didn't feel right" for Bowyer.
Bowyer was part of a spirited Leeds side when the Reds came calling for his signature in 2002. The 49-year-old has said he knew his time at Elland Road was drawing to a close because of "a few things behind the scenes" and Liverpool looked to capitalise.
The ex-midfielder pulled the plug on the deal after growing uneasy about the move to Merseyside. Speaking to former Premier League rivals Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher, Bowyer recalled this as the "biggest regret" he experienced during his playing career.
"I was very close [to joining Liverpool] - I was halfway through a medical but it just didn't feel right for me at the time," he said on Sky Sports in 2020. "That is my biggest regret in football not going to Liverpool at that time.
"If I could've turned the clock back I would've gone. Looking back, I made the wrong decision. I knew my time was coming to an end at Leeds due to a few things behind the scenes that didn't sit well with me so I knew it was my time to go.
"I thought doing another five years up north being a long way away from my family after doing six years at Leeds didn't sit right but after all that I ended up going to Newcastle which is even further away, so it makes no sense! But at the time it just didn't feel right, and that was the mistake I made."
Lee Bowyer in action for Leeds United
Lee Bowyer was wanted by Liverpool during his time at Leeds but turned the move down(Image: Gareth Copley/PA media )
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Bowyer went on to join West Ham in January 2003, just six months after his Liverpool transfer collapsed. There is an alternative account of why the move failed, however, as Liverpool released their own statement on the matter at the time.
"Liverpool FC have decided not to go ahead with the proposed transfer of Lee Bowyer for a variety of reasons," read a statement published on the official Liverpool club website.
"Manager Gerard Houllier was not convinced the player had either the hunger or desire to play for the club, qualities which are essential for any Liverpool player."
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That suggests it was actually Liverpool who decided to pull out of the deal. However, there could be some truth to both stories and Bowyer's non-committal attitude may have forced Liverpool to rethink their plans.
Bowyer went on to play for Newcastle, Birmingham City and Ipswich Town before hanging up his boots in 2012. In another life, however, he may have helped play a part in the team that attained Champions League glory in 2005 had he joined the Reds when they showed interest.
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