Former Leeds United midfielder Lee Bowyer has revealed how he was halfway through a medical at Liverpool before deciding against a move to the club.
Bowyer was close to a move to Anfield in 2002, having been one of his side's standout stars in their run to the Champions League semi-finals the season before.
Both Liverpool and Leeds were neck and neck in the race for Champions League football in the Premier League at the time, with then Reds boss Gerard Houllier keen on adding Bowyer to his squad.
According to Jamie Carragher, Houllier loved Bowyer and would often single him out for praise ahead of games between the two.
At the time of the collapse, Houllier felt Bowyer did not have the "hunger or desire" to be a Reds player and that was why the club withdrew their offer.
But Bowyer has now revealed how it was him who pulled the plug on the deal, but it is a decision has since regretted making.
“I was very close, I was halfway through a medical, '' the now Charlton boss told Sky Sports on Monday night.
“It didn’t feel right at the time, it was my biggest regret in football, if I could go back, I would.
“I made a decision and it was the wrong one I made. I knew that my time was coming to and end at Leeds, I knew it was my time to go.
“I thought I was going to do another five years up north and I had just done six years at Leeds.
“After that, I went to Newcastle which made no sense. I don’t know why, but it was a mistake I made.”
