Bayern Munich icon Thomas Helmer once confessed that he rejected a move to Liverpool because he lacked the bravery to make the switch to Anfield. The former centre-back, who helped Germany triumph at Euro 96, was also a key player for the formidable Bayern team of the mid-to-late 90s.
As well as winning three Bundesliga titles, a DFB-Pokal title and a UEFA Cup, Helmer also helped his side reach the Champions League final in 1999, where they famously lost to Manchester United.
Helmer previously disclosed that he had an opportunity to sign for Liverpool back in 1998. But he ultimately chose to remain with Bayern after having a change of heart.
Talking on Sport 1’s “Lieber Fuball” podcast, as reported by Blick, Helmer revealed that he was happier staying in his homeland where he believed he had a better chance of winning titles and capturing more silverware – something he savoured over earning more money.
“I didn’t have the courage to go to Liverpool”, Helmer said. “At that point, I was a bit cowardly. The prospect of winning a few more titles was more important to me than adventure and money.”
The centre-half did eventually get his move to the Premier League in 1999 after he joined newly-promoted Sunderland. However, he played just two games for the Black Cats before heading back to Germany on loan with Hertha Berlin where he played until he retired in the same year.
Despite Helmer’s snub, his compatriot and Bayern team-mate Markus Babbel did make the switch to Anfield in the summer of 2000 and went on to enjoy a fruitful, trophy-laden spell with the Reds. Babbel was pivotal in Gerard Houllier’s team that clinched the 2001 treble.
Meanwhile, Helmer is not the only big name star to have turned down the Reds. Despite Liverpool’s great success in recent seasons, they have met resistance from some top players they have tried to entice to Anfield.
Most notably this summer, Martin Zubimendi turned down the chance to join Arne Slot’s new-look Reds. Spain midfielder Zubimendi has since insisted he does not regret turning down the chance to move to Merseyside in favour of sticking with Real Sociedad.
