Roy Hodgson once sold the wrong player by accident during his time as Liverpool manager

In the vast annals of football management mishaps, some stories gain notoriety for their sheer improbability. Few, however, can rival the tale of how former Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson accidentally sold the wrong player—an incident both humorous and emblematic of a chaotic period at Anfield. At the heart of this bizarre episode is Alexander Kacaniklic, a young Swedish winger with bags of potential, who became an unintended casualty of one of Liverpool’s most criticized transfer windows. Though brief, Hodgson’s tenure at Liverpool is remembered for its inconsistency, questionable transfer dealings, and a string of disappointing results. But nothing underscores that difficult era quite like the sale of a player Hodgson apparently never intended to let go.

Before delving into the mix-up itself, it’s worth understanding who Alexander Kacaniklic was at the time. Born in Helsingborg, Sweden, in 1991, Kacaniklic came through the ranks at Swedish club Helsingborgs IF, attracting attention across Europe for his quick feet, pace, and technical ability. Liverpool’s academy scouts, constantly on the lookout for precocious talent, were impressed by the winger’s natural flair and potential. In 2007, when Kacaniklic was just 15, he joined Liverpool’s youth system, entering an environment that was already beginning to produce future first-team players.

Hughie McAuley, one of the respected coaches within the club’s youth setup, once described him as “a naturally gifted footballer,” praising not only his technical skill but his intelligence and ability to read the game—traits that often separate fleeting prospects from enduring professionals.

Kacaniklic progressed steadily through the youth levels. By the 2009–2010 season, he had caught the attention of the senior coaching staff. There were whispers within the club that he might get a chance to feature in Liverpool’s Europa League campaign—a competition that often served as a proving ground for academy graduates. However, what seemed like the beginning of a promising Anfield career was soon upended by a transfer that would become infamous in Liverpool circles.

The summer of 2010 was a challenging one for Liverpool Football Club. The club was in a state of flux following a disappointing season under Rafael Benítez and was struggling financially under the ownership of Tom Hicks and George Gillett. With fan unrest growing, the club needed stability, but instead got a period of uncertainty under new manager Roy Hodgson.

Hodgson, who had impressed during a steady spell at Fulham—most notably leading the Cottagers to the UEFA Europa League final—was tasked with steadying the ship. However, his appointment was met with skepticism from many Liverpool supporters, who doubted whether he had the pedigree to manage a club of Liverpool’s stature.

In the transfer market, Hodgson sought familiar faces. One of his most notable signings was Paul Konchesky, a left-back he had worked with at Fulham. At first glance, the deal appeared straightforward: Liverpool needed cover at left-back, and Konchesky was an experienced, reliable defender. But it wasn’t just a straight cash deal. In order to facilitate the move, Liverpool sent two of their promising academy players—Lauri Dalla Valle and Alexander Kacaniklic—to Fulham as part of the package. For fans focused on the senior squad, this detail barely registered. But within Liverpool’s academy, it was a surprising decision

Years after the transfer, Alexander Kacaniklic revealed the story in an interview with the Swedish podcast *Fotbollskanalen*. According to the winger, Roy Hodgson didn’t even realize that he had sold the wrong player until it was too late It was a bit difficult for Liverpool to replace me,” Kacaniklic recalled. “In his head, he thought he had changed another Alex for Konchesky. But then it was too late. It’s a little funny.”

The “other Alex” in question remains unclear—perhaps another youth player or someone less prominently involved in first-team plans—but what’s certain is that Kacaniklic was not supposed to be included in the deal. Hodgson had, quite literally, sanctioned the wrong player’s departure due to a mix-up over a first name. Once the error was discovered, Hodgson reportedly extended an olive branch, telling Kacaniklic that he was welcome back at Liverpool “with open arms.” But by then, the damage was done. Kacaniklic, already warming to the idea of a first-team opportunity at Fulham, decided to move on.

Then he just told me I was welcome back in Liverpool with open arms, but that I should do what I felt,” the winger said. “Then I had already changed my mind and was very excited about coming to Fulham.”

If Hodgson’s misstep was a moment of embarrassment for Liverpool, it proved to be a defining opportunity for Kacaniklic. At Fulham, he found the regular playing time and coaching attention he had long craved.

Between 2010 and 2015, Kacaniklic made over 100 appearances for Fulham in both the Premier League and Championship. He scored 11 goals and became a regular contributor on the left wing, known for his pace, agility, and keen eye for a pass. One of the highlights of his Fulham career came in a 3–3 draw against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium, where he scored and put in an electrifying performance that earned praise from pundits and fans alike.

He also enjoyed loan spells with Watford and Burnley, gaining further experience in English football. In 2016, he made a move to Ligue 1, joining French side Nantes on a free transfer. However, his time in France was less fruitful. Despite regular appearances, he failed to find the net in three seasons at the club.

Kacaniklic later played for Hammarby IF in his native Sweden and eventually moved to AEL Limassol in Cyprus. Earlier in 2025, at the age of 33, he officially announced his retirement from professional football—a career that, while perhaps not reaching global superstardom, was marked by resilience, adaptability, and moments of brilliance.

The Kacaniklic mix-up was just one of many contentious decisions during Hodgson’s brief and turbulent tenure at Anfield. Appointed in July 2010, he lasted just six months in the job. A string of underwhelming results—coupled with unpopular signings such as Konchesky, Christian Poulsen, and Milan Jovanović—left Liverpool fans disillusioned.

His tactical approach, perceived as overly conservative, didn’t align with the attacking ethos Liverpool supporters had come to expect. Perhaps more damaging was his inability to connect with the club’s identity, history, and ambitions. By January 2011, with the club languishing in mid-table and morale at a low point, Hodgson was dismissed and replaced by club legend Kenny Dalglish.

While Hodgson would go on to restore his managerial reputation with respectable stints at West Bromwich Albion, Crystal Palace, and the England national team, his time at Liverpool remains a cautionary tale—marked by poor communication, misguided recruitment, and a general sense of being out of depth

In hindsight, the accidental sale of Alexander Kacaniklic serves as a microcosm of the dysfunction that plagued Liverpool during that turbulent year. Miscommunications, rushed decisions, and a lack of alignment between the manager, youth development staff, and recruitment team all contributed to one of the club’s more forgettable chapters.

Yet, there’s something almost endearing about the episode—how a simple mix-up over a name changed the trajectory of a player’s career. While it may have embarrassed the manager at the time, it opened doors for a young talent who seized the opportunity to make his mark elsewhere. And for fans, it remains a reminder that behind every transfer headline lies a story—sometimes strategic, sometimes chaotic, and occasionally, purely accidental.