Is this the right move for the Reds?

This debate is now closed.

Houllier had agreed a �9m fee with Leeds and offered the 25-year-old a contract worth about �35,000 per week.

But a statement issued by Liverpool read: "Manager Gerard Houllier was not convinced the player had either the hunger or desire to play for the club, qualities which are essential for any Liverpool player."

Were Liverpool right to ditch the deal? Or has Houllier made a bad misjudgement?

If Houllier wanted to make an easy decision he would have given Bowyer the contract based on his playing ability and ignored his attitude problem. Instead Gerard proved yet again that he is as strong, if not stronger, than any other manager in the Premiership. Good decision, Mr Houllier.
Rob, England

How can a club negotiate the transfer of player to the point of just requiring personal terms to be agreed, and then reject him on the grounds of having the wrong attitude? Doesn't Houllier know what his back room staff are doing? Take a tip from Old Trafford and get it right.
T Vaughan, UK

Lee will be welcomed back with open arms by the Leeds faithful. We never wanted him to go, and clearly Lee can see where the best chance of trophies and success lies - at Leeds. Rio Ferdinand will also live to regret his decision unless, like Lee, he comes to his senses and sticks with the most promising team in the Premiership.
James, UK

Liverpool have shown yet again that they won't let the players dictate terms, and other big clubs would do well to follow their example. As for Bowyer, he must be living in cloud cuckoo land. Maximum respect to Gerard Houllier.
Dai Watson, England

The only thing Bowyer lacks is an ability to speak French - seemingly the main quality sought by Houllier when signing a new player!
Peter, UK

Gerard Houllier has proved time and time again that he knows which players are right for Liverpool Football Club. I have no doubt that he will be proved right in his decision to end negotiations with Lee Bowyer - a player with undoubted talent and ability, but carrying far too much baggage for my liking.
Joyce Pollard, United Kingdom

Bowyer would have been a good purchase, but we could probably only take one of Bowyer and Duff. Now that Blackburn have given us the go-ahead, there's no room for Bowyer. I just hope that Rio wasn't sold purely because Leeds couldn't offload Bowyer.
Nick, England

Watch this space for Duff's arrival. Duff represents a better option - a modest, lesser known, younger and faster player who would delight the club's vast Irish following.
Robert Innes, Great Britain

I'm delighted that Liverpool have pulled out of the Bowyer deal. I don't feel he would have brought anything to the club that we haven't already got and his past is something that will never go away.

Let's hope we can get Duff to really add something to the squad, instead of going for a poor man's Steven Gerrard.
Dave Andrews, England

As a Leeds fan I don't know what to think, but what I do know is that apart from Gerrard and Beckham, there isn't a single Englishman in the Premiership who can score goals and cover every blade of grass from right midfield for 90 minutes. Bowyer's heart is still with Leeds, and we would have found it hard to find a player with as much commitment and passion to replace him if he went.
Richard, UK

All I can say is that I'm truly disappointed. Bowyer does carry some baggage with him, but as an English player and a Premiership footballer he is almost without rival on the right side of midfield. We all know that he was being greedy but surely he was worth it.
Joel Rhodes, England

Houllier is right to do what he did. If the player does not have the passion to put on the red shirt then he's better off at Leeds. It shouldn't take this long to decide if Liverpool are a better option than Leeds. He should be thinking of his football future and not money!
Mike Lavery, UK

I'm a bit surprised by a lot of the comments here. When it was almost certain he was coming to Anfield everybody was saying that we should give the guy a second chance, but now we seem to be back at the "We've always hated him" stage.

As a Liverpool supporter I have always said that Bowyer would not be the right sort of guy to influence young players like Gerrard, who has to watch his own temper every now and then.
Ron, Holland

Yes, Gerard was right to pull out. Bowyer is a liability and he is better off at Leeds as an unsettled, mixed up player would be best suited to an unsettled, mixed up club.
Bob, N.Ireland

Well done Gerard Houllier - it is good to see that there are still people with principles in football. Lee Bowyer? May I suggest he gets some better financial/legal advice. Bowyer is a very talented player but needs a serious change of attitude towards the game and probably life in general.

One hope is that if he does stay at Leeds he now has a manager who maybe able to achieve this change. Because if Terry Venables can't, who can? Gerard Houllier obviously concluded he couldn't.
Lazlo, Hungary

This is an immense relief to many Liverpool fans. The thought of cheering on a player who has responded to controversy with the arrogant strut of one who couldn't care less was more than I could stomach. Good riddance to bad rubbish.
Paul, UK

He's letting go of a class player and a future England hero, but he's right to do so. He may regret the odd goal that Bowyer will score in the future, but he is holding team spirit and his long-term vision above all players - a very wise, if difficult, choice.
Nads, Dubai

Houllier is right to pull out of the Bowyer deal, and I respect his reasons for pulling out. Wage demands from players have become ridiculous. Even the ones who are barely worth it demand top dollar and will be attracted to clubs like Liverpool not for the prestige of playing for the most successful English club of all time but for the likelihood of getting greedy wage demands met.
Chris Hall, UK

Well done to GH for again showing that the club is bigger than any player. Let's just use the money to make sure we get Duff to give us the width we so desperately need.
Alex, UK

I wholeheartedly agree with Houllier. We should only buy players who want to play for the Reds first and foremost. Bowyer, one feels, was more interested in using Liverpool as a stick to beat Leeds with. Let's now forget this player and concentrate on getting Duff, who as an out and out winger will probably prove to be a better buy!
Ripin, UK

All football fans tend to get excited at the prospect of a 'big name signing' but Bowyer's proposed move created such mixed feelings amongst Liverpool fans, it was clear that he would have great difficulty winning over the whole crowd.

Like he did with Anelka, Ince and one or two other transfer decisions Houllier has elected to encourage team spirit. There is now a need to address the lack of width in the Liverpool team urgently.
Paul Edwards, Merseyside

I am a Leeds fan and I am gutted you didn't sign Bowyer. He is a great player but his attitude has an effect on the whole club and now we will be stuck with us for another year before he signs for some team for nought and we are �9m down.
Baz, UK

I think we should of got Bowyer, now he will go to Arsenal and make them even better - another one slipped through our fingers. He is better than some of them Houllier has already singed.
L Hall, UK

I'm not convinced I'd have gone down the same road. Granted, Bowyer is a potential cause of trouble, but we know that GH can more than control that side of any player. Nonetheless, I've trusted Houllier all along, and this matter will not alter that trust.
David, Malta

How fickle football fans are! When it looked like he was going to be a Red, the Liverpool fans were talking about how he was going to be a key player to win Liverpool the championship. Now all of a sudden he isn't worthy.

If Liverpool fans would rather have Senegalese or French players compared to a feisty Englishman then I think that's unfortunate. Lee deserves the wages he asked for because he's English and he is hugely committed for whoever he plays. Without Bowyer, Liverpool will be a poorer football club.
Mark, England

I feel so sorry for Bowyer. I don't know what dragged him from putting his signature on the famous dotted line... but he has blown a chance of a lifetime. I don't expect Real Madrid will be ringing Elland Road after this!
Syahrul, Malaysia

Oh dear! The little trouble maker is still with us. I hope El Tel keeps him in the reserves and on �16K - too much for a real trouble maker!
Tony, Taiwan

As a Leeds United fan, I think Houllier was right to steer away from Bowyer; I was very surprised they had shown such an interest in him in the first place. He has the potential to be a truly great player at both club and international level, but unless he seriously reviews his priorities, he never will be.

Hopefully Leeds will find some other club desperate enough to tarnish their reputation with him.
Keith Miller, England

Leeds must be really gutted not to be getting rid of their ill-disciplined image. What do they do with Lee boy now?
Dani, Indonesia

The Liverpool fans want players who will die for the club. It took seven days for personal terms to be agreed - it should take seven seconds. The vibes were always wrong on this deal. Also think of the baggage he would bring with him. Duff is the player we all want.
Gary Crockett, Liverpool, UK

Bowyer may be obnoxious but he clearly has his principles. He was found not guilty in a court of law and refused to be branded guilty by accepting Leeds PR stunt in fining him. He refuses to stay at a club he feels let him down despite never once hiding or shirking responsibilities on the pitch even with all the publicity around him.

He refuses to accept a lower salary than he was offered at Leeds from a supposedly bigger club. Houllier's slanderous claim that Bowyer did not have the desire as a player purely because he refused to be walked over by Houllier is pathetic sour grapes from a club that keep claiming to be one of the top sides in Europe but clearly cannot compete.

I would of thought the over inflated ego of Bowyer was a perfect match for the over inflated ego of Liverpool the club, its manager and its fans.
Darren, England

I am delighted that Liverpool have not signed Bowyer. I have supported Liverpool since 1971 and was gutted when it was first announced that Liverpool were interested in him.
Paul Petty, UK

As a lifelong Liverpool fan, I was prepared to give Bowyer a second chance. However, over the past few weeks, he has shown that it's not a chance to prove himself he's after but money.
Gurpreet Bhatia, Canada

I am a Leeds fan so I am glad that Bowyer is not moving. We have unwisely sold Rio and do not have any decent right wingers, apart from Bakke, who is not that good.
Dave, England

Bowyer should have been on his hands and knees begging to sign for the club -but oh no. He was out for himself. There are players who are at the club who would play for free. LFC do not need him.
Roger Williams, UK

Lee Bowyer has just blown the best move of his career while at the same time Gerrard Houllier has shown Liverpool fans how much the club means to him. Playing for Liverpool is an honour most players would give there right arm for, but Bowyer apparently need his right arm for counting his cash and shaking hands with his greedy agent.
Mark Grierson, Saudi Arabia

Without Bowyer to strengthen the midfield it's now even more essential that we sign someone of the quality of Duff. A sense of disappointment exists at the lack of Bowyer but this is replaced with excitement at the prospect of Duff. They weren't both going to be bought; the better man looks to be the new target!
Chopper, Oz

"The angels came and took Shanks away, and from above we hear him say":' Give me men whose hearts have bled, make them proud to wear the red". Bowyer was never the right man for the job.
Chris Jackson, Australia

Bowyer will regret this decision when we lift the Premiership trophy in May. He might get the money he wants but after alls done and dusted, his trophy hall will show up his true colours.
AM, England

Good on you Gerard Houllier. Not easy words for a Manchester United fan to shout. However, Lee Bowyer has exposed himself once again as the worst type of footballer. He is following Stan Collymore down the road to football oblivion.
Roy Shorrocks, Namibia

Although I'm disappointed not to be seeing Bowyer in our midfield, Houllier was right about Anelka, and is right now. Bowyer's demands have shown his true colours and Liverpool's money will be better spent on Duff.
Laurence, UK

Is there a player with less brains in Britain than Lee Bowyer?
Mark Jones, UK

Is it possible that Bowyer's behaviour during negotiations with Liverpool is linked to the Rio Ferdinand transfer negotiations? Would it be too wild to speculate that he has been holding out in order to increase the pressure on Leeds to sell their captain and best player? How much bitterness does Bowyer feel towards the Leeds board and why?

Or has he changed his mind about leaving Elland Road? Meanwhile, Alex Ferguson is presumably chuffed that a rival team's captain has declared that he would rather play for Manchester United. A nice little 'moral' victory even if they don't sign him!
RB, UK

You don't take seven days to make up your mind about playing for Liverpool. Well done Mr Houllier.
Kopite, Liverpool, England

Well done Houllier. But I don't think Duffers is the man. �20 million is way too much for him. If they need a winger they should go for Hasan Sas, if they need a playmaker then Fadiga is the man. And they will come cheaper too.
John, UK

What a relief. Bowyer's not "a Liverpoool player", and with an impending civil action being brought against him, Liverpool don't need the distraction in what is a crucial season for them. As for Damien Duff - he's the new Dalglish, isn't he?
Mark, UK

Well done Gerrard, I was prepared after 20 plus years of being a Reds supporter to switch loyalties! We do not need that greedy little fellow!
Timothy, Canada

Lee Bowyer deserves all he gets, by being too greedy and trying to squeeze "that pound too much". It just goes to show that loyalty and pride now take a back seat to money. Are all our footballers becoming like mercenary soldiers, and care nothing about their self-esteem? Well done Gerald Houlier, you saw through the mask at the 11th hour.
Chris, UK

If his attitude is not right, then we don't want him!
Paul Caruana, Malta

I was surprised Houllier even considered Bowyer in the first place given his capacity for trouble-making.
Dan, UK

Thank God! A lot of Liverpool fans can now breathe a sigh of relief. He just would not fit into the culture that is Liverpool Football Club.
Bill B, England

Bowyer was the right type of player for Liverpool - but not the right type of man which, is as important to Houllier. See Anelka as another example.
Andy, England, Liverpool

Signing Lee Bowyer would have enhanced the Liverpool squad from a footballing perspective, but it certainly wouldn't have done so from a moral one.

Bowyer is not the kind of person I want associated with Liverpool Football Club and it is for this reason that I am glad the deal has fallen through.
Mike, Merseyside, England

I'm a Liverpool fan who is more than happy to see the deal collapse. Long live Liverpool.
El, Singapore

Definitely right to ditch this boy - he has too much baggage for the greateast team in the land to be bothered about. Bowyer go elsewhere until you prove yourself worthy.
John P, UK

We are so pleased that Liverpool have pulled out of the deal to sign Lee Bowyer. There has to be some justice in this world....
The Sheward Family, UK

Of course Houllier is right. Bowyer is drinking in the last chance saloon, and yet has blown his chances of a career-saving move to Liverpool with extravagant wage demands.

I despise Bowyer, but could have forgiven his unpleasantness if he had played well and fairly for a great club like Liverpool.
Sholem, UK

Houllier has made the right decision. As a Liverpool fan I had mixed feelings about the deal. Bowyer is a very good player but there is too much controversy surrounding him and his personal attitudes are rather suspect.

If he wasn't happy with the wages we were offering then he knows what he can do. LFC should save their money for a massive bid for Duff.
Yannik, England

I was suprised that they considered Bowyer in the first place - considering the baggage that comes with him. Houllier is 100% right to call the deal off if there is any doubt about Bowyer's attitude.
John, UK

I myself am a Manchester United fan, and I do really think that Gerrard Houllier is a very weak man. The two signings that would have won Liverpool the League were Lee Bowyer and Anelka. For some reason he went against them.
Shahid, England

Thank God - My faith in Houllier is restored. He's made a superb decision not to spend huge amounts of money on a questionable role model and proven troublemaker. Damien Duff will be a much sounder investment.
Hal Cohen, England

Gerard Houllier has made the right decision. Lee Bowyer never looked a Liverpool player from the outset. It seems his desire was to gain financial rewards rather than be part of a winning team.
Chris Edwards, Wales

As a lifelong Liverpool fan I applaud Houllier for his decision on Lee Bowyer. After negotiations on wages had dragged on for a week one must doubt Bowyer's desire to put on the red shirt. We want players who are desperate to play for the reds if given the opportunity.
Joe Howard, UK

Of course Houllier was right. Bowyer is so full of himself to demand nigh on �4m pounds as a salary and fee. It's not as if he's a proven international. Just a little upstart. If he was that good Leeds wouldn't sell him.
Dean Warde, Cyprus

Greed, greed, greed. On �16k a week and Liverpool's offer of more than doubling that wasn't enough for him. This unpleasant individual seems to get worse every time he's in the news and Houllier was right not to have anything to do with him.
Bill, UK

Yes, because Duff is better.
Alvin, Mauritius

Obviously Bowyer's personal demands plus the perfectly timed writ that will stick him back on the front and back pages of the tabloids has put Houllier off. The hogwash about "hunger and desire" really doesn't wash.

But on the whole I think they are right, I don't think Bowyer would be a team player, and that's the strength which Houllier has built into the side.
Harry Barracuda, England

I totally agree with the stance Houllier has made taken. This current Liverpool team has continuity, stability and pride. This was an opportunity for Bowyer to prove himself at a higher level, but it seemed it was all about money.

One thing that is paramount to any Houllier signing is wearing that Red jersey with pride and working hard for the team and the fans. In hindsight, he has seen the true colours and decided he wasn't the right person. Once again the right decision has been made, let's carry on and get Duff from Blackburn, who has all the qualities that Liverpool need.
Simon Cooper, UK

Without LB we have no hope. He's the best midfielder in England...lets buy him!
Synbad, Australia

I am a season ticket holder at Elland Road, and I think LFC were right to pull out of the deal. Bowyer has gone from a class footballing superstar to a greedy, selfish and immature person who is only thinking of himself and not his football!
LG, UK