In the summer of 2014, Liverpool were riding the high of a remarkable Premier League campaign. Brendan Rodgers’ side had just finished second, narrowly missing out on the title, and with Luis Suárez leaving for Barcelona, reinforcements in attack were top of the agenda. One name at the top of their shortlist was Queens Park Rangers forward Loïc Rémy.
At £8.5 million, Rémy looked like a bargain. He had just enjoyed a prolific season on loan at Newcastle United, scoring 14 goals in 26 Premier League appearances, and his pace and finishing ability seemed a perfect fit for Rodgers’ fast, fluid attack. Liverpool moved quickly, agreeing terms with both QPR and the player, and flying him to the United States for a medical while the Reds were on their pre-season tour.
But then, everything collapsed.
Medical Concerns Raise Red Flags
Liverpool abruptly pulled out of the deal, citing concerns that emerged during Rémy’s medical. Though the club never officially confirmed details, widespread reports suggested an issue related to his heart — a problem that had been flagged earlier in his career when Marseille first signed him in 2010. At the time, doctors had determined that the condition would not prevent him from playing professional football, but Liverpool’s medical team were not convinced.
The breakdown left fans puzzled. Some questioned whether Liverpool were being overly cautious, while others wondered if the club’s doctors had spotted something others had missed.
Chelsea Step In
If Liverpool’s concerns were severe, they did not seem to trouble José Mourinho and Chelsea. Just weeks later, the French striker signed for the Blues after passing a medical at Stamford Bridge. His move to West London proved that the Liverpool rejection was not career-ending.
While Rémy never became a first-choice striker at Chelsea, he played an important role as a squad player. He scored crucial goals in the 2014/15 season, helping Chelsea secure the Premier League title and the League Cup. For a player Liverpool had deemed too risky, it was a vindicating chapter.
What Could Have Been
For Liverpool, the failed move felt like a missed opportunity. Instead of Rémy, the club turned to Mario Balotelli, signing the Italian forward from AC Milan. Balotelli’s ill-fated spell at Anfield yielded just one league goal, and he quickly fell out of favor. In hindsight, many fans wondered whether Rémy would have been the smarter, safer option — both financially and on the pitch.
A Sliding Doors Moment
Rémy’s failed transfer to Liverpool is one of the more curious “what ifs” of recent Premier League history. At £8.5 million, he could have been a low-risk, high-reward signing at a time when Liverpool desperately needed attacking depth. Instead, he ended up celebrating silverware with Chelsea while the Reds stumbled through a difficult post-Suárez rebuild.
For the French striker, the episode showed his resilience. He bounced back from the rejection and contributed to a title-winning team. For Liverpool, it was a stark reminder of how fine margins in transfer decisions can reshape a season.
