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Nicolas Anelka of Liverpool celebrates his goal during the AXA FA Cup Third Round match between Liverpool and Birmingham City at Anfield, Liverpool.
Nicolas Anelka has spoken often of his short stint at Liverpool(Image: Clive Brunskill/ Getty Images)
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Nicolas Anelka revealed his greatest regret was never joining Liverpool on a permanent basis. The French international believes that then-boss Gerard Houllier's decision to propose a reduced wage prevented his switch to Anfield.
Anelka arrived at the Reds on loan from Paris Saint-Germain, who will visit Anfield this evening with a Champions League semi-final place at stake. While the former striker represented both clubs, it is evident that he is still fond of his period spent on Merseyside.
Former Liverpool boss Houllier brought Anelka in on loan in 2001 and helped the side secure what was, at the time, their best Premier League placing of second. However, while numerous supporters urged him to remain, he moved to Manchester City instead.
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Houllier chose to bring in El Hadji Diouf that summer and addressed not finalising a deal for Anelka the following September. He said: "I don't want to expose the reasons why I didn't want to sign him, but I think he knows why and it has nothing to do with football."
These remarks prompted speculation that Anelka was unwilling to sign for Liverpool permanently in the first place. However, the now-47-year-old strongly rejected these suggestions and maintained that he was eager to become a Red.
Nicolas Anelka of Liverpool in action in the AXA FA Cup Third Round match between Liverpool and Birmingham City at Anfield, Liverpool.
Anelka joined on loan from PSG(Image: Clive Brunskill/ALLSPORT)
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Speaking on his Netflix documentary, Misunderstood, Anelka said: "Liverpool fans think I didn't want to stay. They need to know that that wasn't the case.
"That episode was tragic for me. It's a club where I could have done great things."
Speaking to the ECHO in 2021, the former striker revealed details about his spell at Anfield and the precise reason behind his departure. He said: "This is my biggest regret as well because I knew it was the perfect match.
"Everything was perfect! I loved everything about the club. I had an amazing relationship with the fans. I loved them and I think it was reciprocal.
"Looking back, I am proud to have worn the jersey of this legendary club and to have known this stadium and these amazing fans."
Discussing Houllier's remarks and the genuine cause of his exit, Anelka added: "It's simple: it didn't happen because Gerard Houllier wanted to pay a lower salary.
Deco of Chelsea celebrates with Nicolas Anelka after scoring to make it 1-0.
Anelka found more success elsewhere in England(Image: AMA/Corbis via Getty Images)
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"It's acceptable but you have to say it. I wanted to sign from the first minute. Of course a permanent move was discussed from the first day I joined the club.
"If you look at the first time they introduced me in the press conference, I said if I could sign now, I would, but Gerard Houllier wanted a loan because he was not sure. In the middle of March, we were in negotiations to sign. PSG shareholder Alain Cayzac said to me Gerard told him that Liverpool would sign me.
"Later on Gerard told me face to face he'd sign me permanently. In the middle of April we reached an agreement about the salary, which had stalled things a little, but I was expecting to sign my contract when the league was over but there was no news from PSG and no news from Liverpool."
Throughout his career, Anelka represented 12 different clubs, including Manchester City, Real Madrid, Chelsea and even West Brom. He hung up his boots in 2015 following a brief stint in India with Mumbai City.
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