Man Utd: Mata jokes he 'doesn’t remember' 2015 Liverpool clash
Former Leeds United midfielder Lee Bowyer has revealed how failing to complete a transfer to Liverpool is the biggest regret of his football career. Bowyer spent seven years at Leeds between 1996 and 2003 before leaving for Newcastle United. But it could have been so different for the one-time England international if he did not pull out of a medical to join Liverpool.
Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher revealed on Monday Night Football Retro how the then Reds manager Gerard Houllier wanted to sign Bowyer when he was at Leeds.
"Gerard Houllier loved Lee Bowyer, adored him," Carragher said.
"He was someone he always used to speak about in team meetings about how good Lee Bowyer was.
"We actually tried to sign him and unfortunately for us it fell through. He was a massive fan.
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy
"I was very close [to joining Liverpool], I was half way through a medical," Bowyer said.
"It just didn't feel right for me at the time. If I'm honest that's probably my biggest regret in football, not going to Liverpool at that time.
"Looking back now, if I could turn the clock back then I would have definitely gone but it just didn't feel right for me at the time and that was the decision I made.
"Looking back that was the wrong one I think.
"I knew that my time was coming to an end at Leeds.
Trending
Liverpool news: Lee Bowyer rejected a move to Anfield after doing part of a medical (Image: GETTY)
"I thought I was going to do another five years up north, a long way away from my family and obviously just under six years with Leeds, so then there was just a few things that didn't sit right, and after that I ended up going to Newcastle which was even further away!
"That makes absolutely no sense but at the time, I don't know why, it just didn't feel right and that was the mistake I made."