Steven Gerrard tried to convince two players to sign for Liverpool over text message and they rejected him instantly

Steven Gerrard once tried to convince two players to join Liverpool by text message - but was instantly rejected.

Gerrard spent his the majority of his career as a Liverpool player, despite an attempt from Chelsea to sign him in 2005.

He had been made captain in 2003 by then manager Gerard Houllier, and kept the role for 12 years.

As a result, Gerrard marshalled Liverpool throughout numerous eras at Anfield, and lifted the Champions League final in 2005 before reaching the final again two years later.

And the former captain also had an occasional hand in helping to convince players to move to Liverpool, given his standing at the club. But it didn't always work out.

In his 2015 autobiography, 'My Story', Gerrard revealed that he had actually had an 'unofficial role' at the club in which he persuaded players to join the Reds - but missed out on two players in particular after they turned him down.

He wrote: "I had an unofficial role at the club, trying to persuade some great players to join Liverpool.

"In 2013, the latest player in our sights was Willian, the Brazilian midfielder. I followed the usual routine when approaching a star player we wanted to sign.

"Instead of calling him directly I always sent a text. It seemed more respectful and allowed the player to read my message at a time when it suited him best.

"I slipped into the groove with William. I said hello and hoped he didn't mind me contacting him directly, I stressed how much I admired him as a player.

"And then, having mentioned that I knew Liverpool were speaking to his agent, I used the standard line: 'If you need to chat or ask any questions I'm available at any time'.

"However, he replied with: 'I'm not sure Liverpool can win me the Champions League'."

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Later in the book, he also explained: "We [Gerrard and then manager Brendan Rodgers] both admired Toni Kroos immensely.

"I knew Real Madrid were gearing up to make Bayern Munich an offer and so I felt a bit awkward when I texted Kroos.

"The German was on his way to winning the World Cup with his country and Real were the champions of Europe. But God loves a tirier, and so I gave it a whirl."

Willian would eventually join Jose Mourinho at Chelsea, having turned down moves to both Liverpool and Tottenham.

After a spell at Arsenal, the Brazilian spent the previous two seasons at Fulham before moving to Galatasaray in the summer.

Kroos, meanwhile, joined Real Madrid in 2014 and spent a decade at the Bernabeu before retiring from professional football following Euro 2024 with Germany. He won five Champions League titles while with Real.

“The German was on his way to winning the World Cup with his country and Real were the champions of Europe. But God loves a trier, and so I gave it a whirl.”