Mamadou Sakho, David NGOG, Mohamed Sissoko: several players went through PSG and Liverpool, opponents Wednesday evening in the round of 16 go to the Champions League. The best known of them is undoubtedly Nicolas Anelka who, the first, joined the English club. It was in 2002 and the French striker, in difficulty during his second visit to Paris (1996-1997 then 2000-2002), was sent to the Reds on loan.
The winner of Euro 2000 with the Blues joined a tricolor coach, Gérard Houllier, who had also had experience in the French capital (1985-1988), in Anfield. “He was there but he was in sick leavehe recalls in an interview with Club of 5recently broadcast on Youtube. He had his problem at the heart so he was not there physically. And that's why it goes very, very good. »»
Nicolas Anelka, it ends badly with Liverpool
In any case at the start. Because the Liverpuldian adventure only lasts six months for the native of Chesnay. What read huge regrets: “I had found a big club and England, a championship that I know and that I really like, with a big team and a big competition with Michael Owen, Ballon d'Or, and Emile Heskey. There was also (Jari) Litmanen, (Vladimir) Smicer. But I did not have the chance to sign at the club. »»
His 5 goals scored in 22 games are not enough for him to convince the leaders of the LFC. “In fact, I leave two difficult seasons so when you arrive there, you likehe says. We were struggling with Arsenal that year. I did not win (the title) because we lose a match against Tottenham and I do not play this match. I'm not going to say that it is because of that, but it was a super important match and he did not want to start me and we lose. »»
” He “it's Gérard Houllier. A coach, who died in December 2020, that the former Parisian striker had already rubbed shoulders with the Blueberries but with whom there had been some small tensions. “He had the opportunity to be signed from the start but he did not wanthe recalls.
He said, 'We will see and at the end of the season, we will discuss to see if you sign or not. I made my matches, I believe that I made great matches and that I was very, very good. »»
“It was no longer the same salary”
“But when we arrived at negotiations, it was no longer the same salary as that which was offered at the starthe continues. I know my value. It was not the biggest salary of the club. He had already agreed with Alain Cayzac (then president of PSG, editor's note), who had told me that I was going to sign. But when he spoke to the press, he said that my brothers, who were my agents, had gone to speak to other clubs. Which is not true. »»
And Nicolas Anelka to continue: “I waited and at the end of the season, still nothing. He used this pretext so as not to sign. But I know very well that he was in negotiations with other players. There had been history with him when he was in the French team under 20, but it was quickly. The proof, he wanted to take me back. It is he who wants me. It was his choice, but on arrival I do not sign because he released this excuse. »»
