I went to Liverpool manager’s house to seal transfer – but what happened next worried me greatly
Sir Kenny Dalglish was planning to strike a deal with Blackpool for the in-form midfielder but his initial meeting with the star was confusing
Abbie Meehan Sports Writer U-35s
08:00, 10 Dec 2025
Sir Kenny Dalglish eventually signed Charlie Adam following an awkward first meeting(Image: John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Charlie Adam visited Sir Kenny Dalglish to discuss a transfer to Liverpool but ended up watching golf and drinking tea instead. The former Stoke City star turns 40 today and likely looks back on his footballing career with a lot of fondness.
The Scottish midfielder began his career with Rangers and eventually made a move to the Premier League with Blackpool. Liverpool came calling in 2011 and Adam went to see then-manager Dalglish at his home to discuss a potential dream transfer.
However, the ex-midfielder was stunned by the Scottish icon’s behaviour during his visit, which left him worried his move to Anfield wouldn’t go through. Speaking on Open Goal in 2017, Adam said: “I always wanted to move to Liverpool.
“I went to meet Kenny with my agent, Kenny Moyes. We went round to his house and I was quite worried – he’s a Scotland legend and I’m visiting him at his house.
“But he was sat on his couch watching the Masters. He said, ‘Want a cup of tea?’ and I said, ‘That’d be nice.’ He said, ‘Well, the kitchen’s over there.’
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“So I’ve had to go into his kitchen, he’s sitting with his slippers and pyjamas on. He comes into the kitchen and makes the tea and throws me some biscuits and says, ‘I don’t know what they’re like, my missus is on holiday for a couple of weeks.’
“We actually never spoke about football – we watched the golf for 20 minutes, and then we left. I asked my agent in the car – ‘What was that!’ and he admitted, ‘I don’t know.’
“It was freakish what happened.”
Despite this unusual first meeting, Adam would get his dream move to the Reds. He signed a four-year deal worth £6.75million and joined up with the likes of Steven Gerrard and Luis Suarez.
Charlie Adam joined the Reds in 2011(Image: John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Then-Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson made a little joke of his own during Adam’s transfer to Liverpool. At the time, Ferguson said that the midfielder’s set piece technique was worth £10m alone.
Following a 3-2 win against Adam’s Blackpool, the United boss said: “We were all over the place. His corner kicks are worth £10million in themselves. The boy is an incredible striker of the ball.”
Responding to the Scottish icon’s comments, Adam said: “I think it was a bit tongue in cheek. He knew Liverpool wanted me to go there and I think he was just trying to bump up the price.
“But it was funny seeing the interview after the game and what he said was great. Lucky enough Liverpool came and paid the money they paid and the rest is history.”
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