Arsenal Invincible Jens Lehmann Reveals 'Perpetually Terrible' Weather Put Him Off Liverpool Move

Jens Lehmann has revealed that German compatriot Didi Hamann once tried to persuade him to leave Arsenal and sign for Liverpool.

The former Gunners goalkeeper has a new book out (serialised in the Telegraph) in which he discuss a difficult period in his career following the end of Arsenal's famous 49-match unbeaten run.

The Gunners' run was ended by Manchester United, who beat them 2-0 thanks to goals from Wayne Rooney and Ruud van Nistelrooy. 

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The defeat brought a dip in form for Arsenal. They then drew with Southampton and Crystal Palace, who were both relegated that season, and at home to West Brom.

The Gunners then faced a trip to Anfield at the end of November and were defeated 2-1 thanks to a stunning injury time strike from Neil Mellor. 

After the game Lehmann, as detailed in his autobiography, was told by manager Arsene Wenger: "Jens, you’re not as fresh any more; you seem tired; I’m taking you out now."

"If you start having problems with your national team because of this, you may as well leave."

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When Lehmann relayed this to his German teammate Didi Hamann, the Liverpool midfielder suggested that the Reds could be an ideal destination for Lehmann.

However Lehmann wasn't convinced, writing: "That was certainly tempting, the perpetually terrible weather in Liverpool aside. But since I had been listening to my own thoughts so carefully earlier, I declined." 

True to his word, Wenger dropped Lehmann for the League Cup quarter final defeat to Manchester United and the following league game against Birmingham City with Manuel Almunia taking over. 

However, Almunia could not take advantage of his opportunity. He made a costly error in a 1-0 defeat to Bolton Wanderers and was then blamed for a 4-2 home defeat to Manchester United which saw Arsenal throw away a 2-0 lead.