Luis Garcia has said he could not turn down a move to Atletico Madrid when leaving Liverpool in 2007. The former Reds winger was a key figure in the side that won the Champions League under Rafa Benitez, but he chose to end his time at Anfield and return to Spain.
The 48-year-old will likely watch closely on Wednesday as Liverpool host Atletico in their opening Champions League league phase clash. In 2005, Garcia scored in three knockout rounds, including his decisive semi-final 'ghost goal' against Chelsea, as Liverpool reached Istanbul and lifted the trophy.
Decision to leave Anfield
Garcia had spent the 2002/03 campaign with Atletico before returning to Barcelona, where he caught Liverpool's attention. When the chance to rejoin the Madrid club came, it proved too enticing for the Spain international.
"I could have stayed or I could return to Spain," Garcia explained upon leaving Liverpool in 2007. "I have made a decision which I believe is the right one. I simply couldn't reject the offer when given the opportunity to return to Atletico."
"It was a personal decision. Liverpool are one of the best clubs in the world. I spent three great years at Liverpool but it was time to consider my future."
Regret over FA Cup final
Garcia scored several important goals in his 122 appearances for Liverpool, including a stunning strike in the FA Cup semi-final win over Chelsea. However, he was suspended for the final against West Ham United after being sent off in a league match for elbowing Hayden Mullins.
"We won the Champions League and later the FA Cup – unfortunately I missed the final, which is something that I still regret," Garcia recalled in 2023. "That was a difficult experience for me but if you're intelligent you learn from your mistakes, and I made a pretty big one getting sent off in the build-up to that game."
"I scored in the semi-final, though, and it was against Chelsea again. So that is a memory I can look back on proudly."
