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Liverpool have pulled out of a deal to bring Leeds midfielder Lee Bowyer to Anfield.

The two clubs had agreed a �9m fee for the 25-year-old but Liverpool were unable to agree personal terms with the player last week.

It is probably in the best interest of all parties that the deal did not go through

Lee Bowyer

Now the Anfield side have decided to abandon the deal.

A statement on the club's website read: "Liverpool FC have decided not to go ahead with the proposed transfer of Lee Bowyer for a variety of reasons.

"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."

Bowyer fails Houllier character test

The England hopeful has been on the Leeds transfer list since rejecting the offer of a five-year contract worth a reported �10m at the end of May.

"I never asked to go on the transfer list and made it clear to Mr Ridsdale that I had reservations when they accepted Liverpool's bid," said Bowyer.

"So it is probably in the best interest of all parties that the deal did not go through.

Blackburn winger Damien Duff
Liverpool are set to turn their attention to Duff

Bowyer did not travel with Leeds when they set off on their pre-season tour of Asia and Australia on Saturday.

In December last year Bowyer was cleared of criminal charges relating to an attack on Asian student Sarfraz Najeib.

Leeds fined him four weeks' wages - around �64,000 - after he admitted being drunk on the night.

When he refused to pay, Leeds placed him on the transfer list. He later changed his mind and agreed to pay up.

Meanwhile, Blackburn Rovers boss Graeme Souness has confirmed Liverpool's interest in signing Republic of Ireland winger Damien Duff.

Your say: Houllier right to ditch Bowyer?

Souness said Liverpool had enquired about Duff and that the player was available for the right price.


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