‘I was close to joining Liverpool but it didn’t happen – it’s my biggest regret’

‘I was close to joining Liverpool but it didn’t happen – it’s my biggest regret’

Lee Bowyer was in the middle of a medical at Liverpool before later rejecting a move to the Premier League giants – a decision the ex-England international said was his ‘biggest regret’ in football

Michael Owen scored 28 goals for Liverpool in the 2001/02 season(Image: Getty Images)

Sign up to FREE email alerts from Daily Star – Sport – Football

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. More info

Former Leeds United star Lee Bowyer admitted that he rejected a move to Liverpool despite being halfway through a medical to join the club.

The 46-year-old, who is the current manager of the Montserrat national team, played a majority of his career in the Premier League as he opened up about his decision to turn down a move to Liverpool – a decision he later called his “biggest regret” in football.

The former midfielder was pursued by then-Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier in 2002 as Jamie Carragher admitted that the Frenchman “loved” the way he played. “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,” Bowyer exclusively told MNF Retro.

READ MORE: Liverpool footballer branded ‘robbing b*****d’ in Royle Family Xmas advert blooper

READ MORE: Chris Kirkland was taking ‘equivalent of six shots of heroin a day’ during addiction hell

“That is my biggest regret in football not going to Liverpool at that time,” he admitted. “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.”

The former Charlton man pointed out that the distance from his family played a key role in his decision not to join Liverpool as he ended signing for boyhood club West Ham on a six-month deal before joining Newcastle on a free transfer in 2003.