Keegan almost rejoined Liverpool instead of moving to Southampton

Kevin Keegan almost rejoined Liverpool at the height of his career.

The striker made 323 appearances and scored 100 goals for the Reds between 1971 and 1977 before leaving for Hamburg.

The Liverpool legend then went on to play for Southampton and Newcastle, but has now revealed how close he came to returning to Merseyside instead.

"It was an option. I was with Lawrie McMenemy at a charity event the other day and he said he phoned up Peter Robinson, because he wanted me but Liverpool had a clause, but Peter said, 'No, we won't be signing him, definitely, we don't need him", Keegan told Liverpool's official website.

"Liverpool had moved on, got different players and partnerships, were just as successful and arguably about to be even more successful.

"In football terms, it's never easy to go back. You've had it happen over the years a couple of times and it's half worked but it's never really the same. My book had been written at Liverpool and it was a nice little book. I had a lot of good fun and a few little downs, which makes a good story.

"Every time I come back, even driving here today, I go past my old digs. You can't take the memories away but it was finished.

"The fans made me. When they started singing my name! What am I, five foot seven with Cuban heeled boots? But [because of them] I was six foot six."

Check out or amazing unseen pictures of Kevin Keegan from the Daily Mirror archives