Liverpool face Fulham at Anfield on Saturday, 16 years on from a transfer mix-up that saw the Reds accidentally sell the wrong player to the Cottagers
Alex Kacaniklic of Fulham is pursued by Jordan Henderson of Liverpool
A transfer between Liverpool and Fulham once went spectacularly awry(Image: Getty Images)
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Liverpool once accidentally sold a player to Fulham - their opponents this Saturday - due to a mix-up in identity. The bizarre incident took place in 2010 during Roy Hodgson's ill-fated tenure at Anfield.
After arriving from Fulham that summer, Hodgson wanted to bring Paul Konchesky with him to Merseyside. The clubs ultimately settled on a deal, with Liverpool handing over £3.5million along with two promising academy prospects: Lauri Dalla Vale and Alexander Kacaniklic.
However, Kacaniklic later revealed that he was never meant to be part of the agreement, as Liverpool had accidentally negotiated for the wrong player.
"Before I signed [for Fulham], I had a conversation with Roy Hodgson on the phone, where we found out that he had chosen the wrong Alex," the Swede explained in 2019. "In his head, he thought he had sold another Alex for Konchesky. But then it was too late."
Once the mistake became clear, Hodgson attempted to cancel the transfer - but it could not be reversed. "He [Hodgson] just told me I was welcome back in Liverpool with open arms," Kacaniklic said. "But by then I had already made my mind up and was very excited about coming to Fulham."
Hodgson succeeded Rafa Benitez as manager shortly after leading Fulham to the Europa League final, where they were beaten by Atletico Madrid. His time in charge proved disappointing, with just seven wins from 20 matches before he left by mutual consent in January 2011.
"When Roy Hodgson came to the club, it was a little different, a big change," Kacaniklic noted. "Benitez had been there before and made the club his own with everyone who worked at the club.
Alexander Kacaniklic of Liverpool battles with Francis Coquelin of Arsenal during the second leg of the FA Youth Cup final
Alexander Kacaniklic spent three years in Liverpool's academy(Image: Getty Images)
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"When he left and took all his people with him, it became a bit turbulent. Hodgson didn't look so much at us youngsters, he wanted quick results."
Kacaniklic had joined Liverpool as a 16-year-old in 2007 and spent three years developing in the academy before moving to Fulham. During his time at Craven Cottage, he made 100 appearances over six seasons before transferring to Ligue 1 side Nantes in 2016. The winger also collected 21 caps for Sweden and retired in 2025.
Hodgson, meanwhile, bounced back from his difficult spell at Liverpool with a strong stint at West Bromwich Albion, which earned him the England manager job in 2012. He stayed in that role for four years, guiding the team through three major tournaments.
Roy Hodgson stands with Darren Burgess, Sammy Lee and Peter Brukner during a Liverpool training session
Hodgson (second from right) and his staff didn't realise they were selling the wrong Alex until it was too late(Image: Getty Images)
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However, his squad failed to secure a single knockout-stage victory - reaching the quarter-finals at Euro 2012, going out in the group stage at the 2014 World Cup, and suffering a surprising last-16 loss to Iceland at Euro 2016.
Now 78 and managing Championship side Bristol City, Hodgson will likely be watching Anfield closely this Saturday as his two former clubs face off. Liverpool go into the match hoping to reduce the gap to Aston Villa, who began the weekend five points ahead of them in fourth place.
Arne Slot's team have endured a difficult run, losing three consecutive matches against PSG, Manchester City and Brighton. They have also managed just two wins from their last eight games in all competitions.
Fulham, meanwhile, sit five points behind Liverpool and are in solid form. Marco Silva's side are pushing late for European qualification, having claimed victory in three of their last five league fixtures.
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