I had dream Liverpool move blocked by bitter manager – I've never been so angry

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Former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock(Image: Getty Images)

Stephen Warnock shared how a dream move back to Liverpool was thwarted by Gerard Houllier.

Warnock, who made his debut at Anfield under Rafa Benitez before moving to Blackburn in 2007, joined Aston Villa in 2009, where he played under former Reds manager Houllier.

He enjoyed some of the best football of his career at Villa Park until a significant fallout with Houllier.

Living in the North West, Warnock had been given permission by the Frenchman to return home after away games in the region.

So, after a match at Manchester City, he didn't travel back to Birmingham with the team.

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However, this led to unexpected conflict with Houllier, who insisted he had never allowed players to head straight home after games in the north-west.

The opportunity seemed to present itself through his childhood club, but Houllier put a stop to the deal.

Kenny Dalglish submitted a loan offer with an option to buy, and a deal was arranged, only for Houllier to step in.

"My agent rings me and says, 'you're never going to believe what's happened', Warnock revealed on the Under The Cosh podcast.

"So the manager [Houllier] was away when it [Liverpool's approach] happened and got wind of it and basically turned round and said, 'tell them we want a £1million loan fee'.

Liverpool went, 'we're not paying that' and he went, 'well, it doesn't happen then'."

In his desperation to seal the deal, Warnock even proposed taking a 50 per cent pay cut, but the agreement couldn't be salvaged.

The former left-back added: "I remember thinking, 'you horrible man'.

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