‘I signed new five-year deal with Liverpool then they sold me days later – it broke my heart’

Former Liverpool great Dominic Matteo found out the hard way that a contract does not guarantee your future is secure in football.

Matteo came through the ranks at Anfield to become one of the club's most experienced players. He spent eight years on the red side of Merseyside, and after putting pen to paper on a new five-year contract in 2000, he expected to stay at the club for many more years.

However, a few days later he would be told that the club wanted to sell him. After signing the killer deal, Matteo was unsurprisingly shocked by the decision.

He would join title rivals Leeds United, where he was eventually named captain. Still, Matteo admitted at the time that he was heartbroken by the brutal decision.

In his autobiography 'In My Defense' he said: “On Monday I signed a five-year deal which, by the standards of the time, was lucrative. But just four days later I was on the job.” When I left Liverpool I was in shock. How could things change so quickly in just four days?

“The thought of leaving was disturbing. But for the good of my career, I needed a fresh start. So I went. It meant I missed all the trophies Liverpool won the following season. I admit it was difficult to see the boys winning the FA Cup, League Cup and UEFA Cup.”

He added: “When I left Liverpool I still had five years left on my contract. I didn't think I would go anywhere, but I didn't think I would get playing time again either. The reason why I left was because of that.

“There was no other reason. I wanted to stay, but I didn't get the playing time. I didn't think I could play for another three or four years. It just wasn't what I wanted.”

Matteo made his decision after frank discussions with then manager Gerard Houllier. Although both accepted that Matteo had the power to stay at the club and receive a paycheck for the next five years, he did not want to be on the bench for that time.”

He continued: “It was clear that I was sad to leave. Even though we talked about the five years and my contract, I was devastated. I was upset, I was heartbroken for a long time, but I had to make the right decision to play games.

“And of course we got the chance to go to Leeds and we played the Champions League there. But then Liverpool will win the UEFA Cup that year. So mixed feelings for me.

“It would have been nice in a way. You'd be lying if you didn't say I would have loved to stay and win things with them, of course I would. But that's not how life works. You move on in your career.”

Matteo would make 146 appearances for Leeds before being relegated in 2004. The Scottish-born left-back joined Premier League side Blackburn Rovers that summer before ending his career at Stoke City in 2009.