Liverpool face Fulham at Anfield on Saturday, evoking memories of the time the Reds accidentally sold the wrong player to the London club following a transfer mix-up
A transfer between Liverpool and Fulham once went spectacularly awry(Image: Getty Images)
Liverpool once accidentally sold a player to Fulham – their opponents this Saturday – after a case of mistaken identity. The bizarre incident occurred in 2010 during Roy Hodgson’s ill-fated spell at Anfield.
Having joined the Reds from Fulham that summer, Hodgson wanted to take Paul Konchesky with him to Merseyside. The two clubs eventually agreed a deal, with Liverpool handing over £3.5million plus two up-and-coming academy stars: Lauri Dalla Vale and Alexander Kacaniklic.
But according to Kacaniklic, he wasn’t supposed to be included in the transfer, with Liverpool inadvertently negotiating the wrong player. “Before I signed [for Fulham], I had a conversation with Roy Hodgson on the phone, where we found out that he had chosen the wrong Alex,” the Swede explained in 2019. “In his head, he thought he had sold another Alex for Konchesky. But then it was too late.”
After clocking the gaffe, Hodgson tried to pull the plug on the deal – but to no avail. “He [Hodgson] just told me I was welcome back in Liverpool with open arms,” Kacaniklic explained. “But by then I had already made my mind up and was very excited about coming to Fulham.”
Hodgson replaced Rafa Benitez at the helm shortly after guiding Fulham to the Europa League final, where they lost to Atletico Madrid. He ended up winning just seven of his 20 matches in charge before leaving the club by mutual consent in January 2011.
“When Roy Hodgson came to the club, it was a little different, a big change,” Kacaniklic noted. “Benitez had been there before and made the club his own with everyone who worked at the club.
Alexander Kacaniklic spent three years in Liverpool’s academy(Image: Getty Images)
“When he left and took all his people with him, it became a bit turbulent. Hodgson didn’t look so much at us youngsters, he wanted quick results.”
Kacaniklic joined Liverpool as a 16-year-old in 2007 and spent three years in the club’s academy before leaving for Fulham. At Craven Cottage, he made 100 appearances across a six-year spell before joining Ligue 1 outfit Nantes in 2016. The winger also earned 21 caps for Sweden. He retired in 2025.
Hodgson, meanwhile, recovered from his disappointing spell at Liverpool with an impressive stint at West Bromwich Albion, which led to his appointment as England manager in 2012. He remained in the role for four years, overseeing three major tournaments.
Hodgson (second from right) and his staff didn’t realise they were selling the wrong Alex until it was too late(Image: Getty Images)
However, his side failed to win a single knockout match – reaching the quarter-finals at Euro 2012, exiting in the group stage at the 2014 World Cup and suffering a shock last-16 defeat to Iceland at Euro 2016.
The 78-year-old, now in charge of Championship club Bristol City, will no doubt be keeping one eye on Anfield this Saturday as his two former teams lock horns. Liverpool head into the tie aiming to close the gap on Aston Villa, who started the weekend five points above them in fourth.
Arne Slot’s side have been struggling recently, having suffered three defeats on the bounce to PSG, Manchester City and Brighton. They’ve also won just two of their last eight games in all competitions.
Fulham, meanwhile, are five points behind Liverpool in the table and in good form. Marco Silva’s men are making a late push for the European spots, having won three of their last five league matches.
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