Missed Opportunity for Zamora as Liverpool Target Falls Through
Bobby Zamora, the former Fulham man, revealed how a transfer to Liverpool fell apart after he agreed to stay at Craven Cottage. In what could only be described as a cruel twist of fate, Zamora broke his leg just a day after committing to Fulham, missing out on a move to Anfield.
Liverpool’s Interest in Zamora
Zamora was one of the key targets during Roy Hodgson’s ill-fated stint as Liverpool manager. Hodgson, having taken the reins at Anfield in 2010, was eager to bring in reinforcements after a poor start to his tenure. His attempt to lure the Fulham striker to Merseyside was part of a broader strategy to revitalise Liverpool’s attack, especially with Fernando Torres struggling with injuries and uncertain about his future.
In an interview, Zamora confirmed Liverpool’s interest, saying, “Roy came in for me at Liverpool and Harry Redknapp came in for me at Spurs, but Mark said he wanted me to stay, and I’d just had my twins in August.”
A Cruel Twist of Fate
At the time, Zamora was enjoying his football under Mark Hughes, who had taken over from Hodgson at Fulham. Hughes was determined to keep the striker, despite the interest from two Premier League giants. Zamora explained the situation on the “Say it and Spray It” Podcast: “We had Mark Hughes at Fulham at the time. I enjoyed my time with Mark, he came at the start of the season, I had a good pre-season with him.”
Hodgson’s Liverpool, alongside Redknapp’s Spurs, both tabled bids for the striker as the transfer window neared its close. However, after discussions with Hughes, Zamora opted to stay at Craven Cottage. “The end of the transfer window was coming and they both bid, I ended up signing a new contract and broke my leg the next day,” Zamora revealed.
A Missed Opportunity for All Parties
For Zamora, the missed opportunity to move to Liverpool was bittersweet. While he had the security of a new contract and the prospect of staying at a club where he was valued, the injury was a significant setback. It marked a turning point in his career, as injuries began to plague his time at Fulham.
For Liverpool, the failure to sign Zamora was emblematic of Hodgson’s short, underwhelming spell as manager. With Torres leaving for Chelsea in January 2011, the club’s attacking options were limited, and they struggled to maintain any serious momentum that season.
Zamora’s story highlights how quickly fortunes can change in football, where transfers are often hanging by a thread. What seemed like a smart move for all involved ended up being another “what if” moment in Premier League history.
