Liverpool were linked endlessly to Damian Duff during the Irishman’s stint at Blackburn, but we ended up missing out on the flying winger due to Roman Abramovich’s billions.
When he bought Chelsea, Duff was one of the first arrivals and he immediately became a starter under Claudio Ranieri, before then teaming up with Arjen Robben in Jose Mourinho’s title winning attack the next season.
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But if it wasn’t for Chelsea’s financial pulling power, Duff may have signed for us instead.
“I came close (to joining Liverpool) two or three times,” he told FourFourTwo.
“The first was a year or two before I signed for Chelsea (in 2003). I would have gone there, but Blackburn wanted a big fee so not too many clubs could afford to buy me back then!
“Then when I was leaving Chelsea, the same move nearly happened again.”
The only pacy left-footed winger of any note we’ve had this Millennium has been Albert Riera, although you could also count Mark Gonzales. Riera was decent for a short spell, while the Chilean flattered to deceive despite Rafa Benitez’s expectations.
Duff would’ve been a terrific signing actually, but in 2003 we ended up with Harry Kewell instead, who at the time was an equally exciting prospect.
Sadly, injuries did for the Aussie, although he did win a Champions League medal which likely made up for it.