Anelka wishes he was still a Red

Last updated : 03 January 2007 By Al Campbell
Anelka had an impressive loan spell with Liverpool during the second half of the 2001/2 season but suprisingly was not offered a contract by then boss Gerard Houllier. This was a disappointment to Anelka who claimed he'd still be a Liverpool player now if he had got the contract his displays deserved.

"I think if I had signed a three or four-year contract with Liverpool I would still be there now because I would have renewed it. It was the club I really got a kick out of," said the Frenchman.

"And I could play the role I like. I played behind [Michael] Owen and [Emile] Heskey. I could roam around a bit in the middle of the pitch in a position I like and set up goals.

"It was a very important stage of my career because when I left Arsenal I didn't really manage to find a club which suited me. I didn't really like the year I spent at Real Madrid.

"But with the Reds, the players and supporters made me feel very welcome. It was a very good team which finished second in the Premiership. Even if I didn't stay on, we managed to qualify for the Champions League. It was a club which really suited me.

"Why didn't I stay? I don't know. You would have to ask Gerard Houllier."