Liverpool accidentally sold player to Fulham after manager got confused

Liverpool accidentally sold a player to Fulham in 2010 after a case of mistaken identity, with manager Roy Hodgson confusing Alexander Kacaniklic for another academy player in the Paul Konchesky deal

Alex Kacaniklic (left) joined Fulham from Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)

Liverpool once mistakenly offloaded a player to Fulham — this Saturday's opposition — due to a case of mistaken identity.

The peculiar episode occurred in 2010, during Roy Hodgson's troubled tenure at Anfield. Hodgson, who turns 79 in August, is back in the news at the moment after returning to soccer management with Bristol City. After moving to the Reds from Fulham in 2010, Hodgson was keen to bring Paul Konchesky with him to Merseyside.

The two clubs ultimately struck an agreement, with Liverpool paying a transfer fee and sending two promising academy prospects, Lauri Dalla Vale and Alexander Kacaniklic. However, according to Kacaniklic, he wasn't meant to be part of the transaction, with Liverpool accidentally negotiating for the wrong player.

"Before I signed [for Fulham], I had a conversation with Roy Hodgson on the phone, where we found out that he had chosen the wrong Alex," the Swede revealed in 2019. "In his head, he thought he had sold another Alex for Konchesky. But then it was too late."

Upon realizing the blunder, Hodgson attempted to reverse the deal — but without success. "He [Hodgson] just told me I was welcome back in Liverpool with open arms," Kacaniklic recalled. "But by then I had already made my mind up and was very excited about coming to Fulham."

Hodgson succeeded Rafa Benitez at the club shortly after steering Fulham to the Europa League final, where the London club fell to Atletico Madrid. He ultimately secured just seven victories from his 20 matches in charge before departing the club by mutual consent in January 2011.

Roy Hodgson during his time as Liverpool boss(Image: Getty Images)

"When Roy Hodgson came to the club, it was a little different, a big change," Kacaniklic observed. "Benitez had been there before and made the club his own with everyone who worked at the club.

"When he left and took all his people with him, it became a bit turbulent. Hodgson didn't look so much at us youngsters, he wanted quick results."

Kacaniklic arrived at Liverpool aged 16 in 2007, spending three years developing through the academy system before departing for Fulham. At Craven Cottage, he racked up 100 appearances during a six-year period, subsequently moving to French side Nantes in 2016. The winger also represented Sweden on 21 occasions before hanging up his boots in 2025.

Hodgson, for his part, bounced back from his underwhelming Liverpool tenure with a successful period at West Bromwich Albion, earning him the England manager's position in 2012. His four-year reign encompassed three major international competitions.

Yet his team never progressed beyond a knockout round — making the quarterfinals at Euro 2012, crashing out during the group phase at the 2014 World Cup, and suffering an unexpected last-16 elimination against Iceland at Euro 2016.

The 78-year-old will undoubtedly be watching with interest this Saturday as his two former clubs face off. Liverpool enters the fixture looking to narrow the deficit to Aston Villa, who began the weekend holding a five-point advantage over them in fourth place.

Arne Slot's players have been enduring a difficult spell lately, having lost three consecutive matches to Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester City and Brighton. They have also managed just two victories in their last eight fixtures across all competitions.

Fulham, by contrast, trails Liverpool by five points in the table and is in strong form. Marco Silva's players are mounting a late charge for European qualification, having secured three wins from their last five league outings.