Former Liverpool striker Nicolas Anelka remains gutted that his temporary loan spell from Paris Saint-Germain in December 2001 did not become a permanent transfer, according to an interview he gave to the Liverpool Echo. Anelka scored five goals in 22 appearances during his time at Anfield under manager Gérard Houllier and interim manager Phil Thompson, but the club ultimately chose to sign El Hadji Diouf instead, a decision that has since gone down as one of the club’s most notable transfer errors.
Why Nicolas Anelka’s Permanent Liverpool Move Collapsed
According to Anelka, the permanent deal broke down because Gérard Houllier wanted to pay a lower salary than what was initially discussed. Speaking to the Liverpool Echo in 2020, the French forward explained that talks stalled over wages before agreement was reached in mid-April. However, no final contract materialised from either PSG or Liverpool, and Anelka later learned through news reports that Houllier was pursuing another player.
“In the middle of March, we were in negotiations to sign,” Anelka said. “PSG shareholder Alain Cayzac said to me Gerard told him that Liverpool would sign me. Later on, Gérard told me face-to-face he’d sign me permanently.” Instead of retaining the striker, Liverpool opted for Senegal international El Hadji Diouf following his impressive performances at the 2002 World Cup. Diouf went on to score just six goals across two seasons while drawing multiple controversies, whereas Anelka moved to Manchester City and netted 45 goals in three seasons.
Phil Thompson’s Influence and the Arsenal Rumours
Former Liverpool assistant manager Phil Thompson, who managed the team while Houllier recovered from heart surgery, attributed the breakdown in talks to claims that Anelka’s representatives had tried to engineer a transfer to Arsenal. Anelka firmly denied those rumours, asking why he never signed for Arsenal if the reports were true and pointing out that it made little sense given his stated desire to stay at Anfield.
Anelka expressed clear admiration for Thompson’s direct communication style compared to Houllier’s approach. “I loved my time with Phil Thompson, more so than Gérard Houllier,” Anelka 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.” Anelka added that if Thompson had been the permanent manager at the time, he believes he would have stayed at the club for many years.
Did you know?
During his nomadic career, Nicolas Anelka played for 12 different senior clubs, including Chelsea where he won the Premier League, two FA Cups, and reached the 2008 UEFA Champions League final.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many goals did Nicolas Anelka score for Liverpool?
Nicolas Anelka scored five goals in 22 total appearances for Liverpool during his loan spell in the 2001-02 season.
Who did Liverpool sign instead of Nicolas Anelka?
Liverpool chose to sign El Hadji Diouf from French club Lens in the summer of 2002 following his standout performances for Senegal at the World Cup.
Which clubs did Anelka play for after leaving Liverpool?
Following his departure from PSG and Liverpool, Anelka played for Manchester City, Fenerbahçe, Bolton Wanderers, Chelsea, Shanghai Shenhua, Juventus, and West Bromwich Albion.
Want more exclusive Liverpool FC history and transfer updates? Join the conversation by leaving a comment below, explore more articles on our site, and subscribe to our newsletter for daily coverage.