Nicolas Anelka says to this day he regrets not signing for Liverpool on a permanent deal.
The Frenchman came on loan to Reds in December of 2001 in the quest of a renaissance after a terrible time of things at Real Madrid where he scored just two goals from 19 appearances.
It was indisputable that Anelka was a striker of phenomenal natural talent, but also very poor advised Lessing to poor career decisions.
While he only made 22 appearances (scoring five goals), his joy for the game returned and despite the countless clubs that he played for in a storied career, Liverpool clearly made a lasting impression on him as he explained to the Echo.
(Not signing permanently) is my biggest regret 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.
The reasons behind the deal not going ahead vary depending on who you talk to and Anelka gave his point of view on the matter.
It’s simple: it didn’t happen because Gerard Houllier wanted to pay a lower salary,. “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
Anelka said he was never told directly that a deal was not going ahead.
“I heard on the news that Gerard Houllier was after another player so that’s how I knew they were not going to sign me!”
Phil Thompson had a fair bit to do with Anelka’s spell on the pitch as he was filling in as manager for the ill Houllier.
The club legend says that he stood behind the reason why the permanent deal did not go ahead.
“Nicolas would have upset the football club. Nicolas is a nice guy, but he's moody. He doesn't mix.
“There weren't any great problems while he was there, but we had problems with his brothers, his contract and everything.
“Arsene Wenger rang up Gerard and said: 'Gerard, I have to tell you. Nicolas' brothers have just rang me up and they've asked me to take Nicolas back to Arsenal.'
Anelka completely contradicts this tale.
“I heard about this Arsenal story,
“If it was true, why didn’t I sign for Arsenal when Liverpool announced in the press they weren’t going to sign me?
“And even if it was true, it’s a normal situation. It’s like I’m saying I don’t wanna sign for a club because they are speaking with another striker. It makes no sense.
“The reality is at the time it was very easy to point the finger at me with my reputation.”
But despite the comments by Thompson, Anelka does not hold any kind of,grudge and loved his time playing under him.
“ I loved my time with Phil Thompson, more so than Gerard Houllier,” he said. “
“Phil Thompson was a typical Scouser. Direct and straight.
“He’ll tell you what he likes and when he doesn’t like it, you would know. This is exactly what I want and what I like from people. Houiller is the opposite.
.
“I know if Phil was the manager I would have signed and stayed many years but fate chose otherwise and I had to take another path to find a big club.
In one of most vivid sliding door moments of the club this millennium, Anelka at the end of that season moved on to Man City and later on Chelsea fulfilling his talent, while his direct replacement El Hadji-Diouf was a complete flop and in contrast to Anelka, one of the most despised former Liverpool players in history.
While Houllier has never regretted his decision to deny Anelka his Liverpool dream, the striker recalls having the last laugh in his first game back, ironically which is City’s last win at Anfield.
"I was focused on my performances at City and I don’t wish people to fail so I had turned the page,”
.”But when I came back in Anfield and I scored this two goals it was just justice against Gerard Houllier.
“Not for Liverpool because of course I love the club, but you know what we say.
“What goes around comes around'.”
A extraordinary talent, a undeniably complex figure, the Netflix documentary on the Frenchman to premiere next month should be a fascinating watch.
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