The story of the Liverpool starlet Roy Hodgson sold to Fulham – by mistake

Roy Hodgson’s short-lived stint as Liverpool manager is not fondly remembered in the red half of Merseyside. But it was certainly memorable – from disastrous signings and dire football to selling a promising youngster to Fulham by mistake.

It’s difficult to believe that the world of multi-million-pound football transfers could resemble a scene out of Withnail & I, but that would be to underestimate how downright daft those making decisions at the top of the game can be.

This is the story of Alexander Kacaniklic, who says he was never supposed to be sent to Fulham in place of Paul Konchesky.

Rising through the ranks

Kacaniklic had caught the eye playing in the youth ranks of hometown club Helsingborgs. Liverpool’s scouts had noticed the young winger turning out for Sweden’s Under-16s and snapped him up in the summer of 2015.

He was 15 at the time, so any potential breakthrough would be a few years off, but he quickly began making waves as one to watch.

“Alex is a talented player and has already played at reserve team level,” Under-18s coach Hughie McAuley told the Liverpool Echo.

“He is a naturally gifted footballer who is very quick. He crosses really good balls and can also be effective on the right wing when he cuts inside and scores goals. I’m looking forward to seeing him make more progress.”

The teenager really began to make a name for himself during Liverpool’s run to the 2009 FA Youth Cup final. He scored a sweet volley in the first leg of the final, but Liverpool ultimately fell short against a supremely gifted Arsenal side that featured Francis Coquelin, Jack Wilshere and Luke Ayling.



Selling the wrong Alex

In the Spring of 2010, Kacaniklic had made it into Liverpool’s reserves, and reports in the media suggested he was making it to the fringes of Rafael Benitez’s first team. A place on Benitez’s bench in the Europa League had been touted and he was reportedly offered a new two-year deal to continue his progression at Melwood.

Then came Roy Hodgson and a summer of upheaval at Anfield. Out went Yossi Benayoun, Javier Mascherano and Albert Riera, and in came Milan Jovanovic, Joe Cole, Christian Poulsen, Raul Meireles and Paul Konchesky. To say Liverpool have had better transfer windows would be an understatement.

READ: Where are they now? Roy Hodgson’s eight signings as Liverpool manager

Liverpool also sent Kacaniklic and fellow youngster Lauri…