Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: Chelsea, Liverpool, Steven Gerrard, Willian, Premier League, Football, Anfield
John McDougall
Topics: Chelsea, Liverpool, Steven Gerrard, Willian, Premier League, Football, Anfield
Steven Gerrard once revealed he was given an 'unofficial job' when he was at Liverpool and hoe he tried but ultimately failed to convince a future Premier League winner to move to Anfield.
Gerrard is a Kop legend and wore the captain's armband for many years at Anfield after spending the bulk of his playing days on Merseyside.
The midfielder scored 185 goals across 710 appearances for Liverpool across all competitions, winning the Champions League, UEFA Cup, UEFA Super Cup, two FA Cups and three League Cups at the Anfield club.
Advert
Gerrard left Liverpool in 2015 to move to MLS side LA Galaxy, before hanging up his boots towards the end of 2016.
Since his retirement, Gerrard has embarked upon a coaching career with spells at the Liverpool Academy, Rangers, Aston Villa and most recently Saudi Pro League side Al-Ettifaq, whom he left by mutual consent at the end of January.
He's now a pundit, having missed out on the Rangers job to Russell Martin earlier this summer.
Advert
Away from football, Gerrard has written multiple volumes of his autobiography, the latest of which was published in 2015.
And in that edition, entitled 'My Story', Gerrard revealed his role was to help sign players by trying to persuade them to move to the Anfield club thanks to his standing.
He wrote: "I had an unofficial role at the club, trying to persuade some great players to join Liverpool. It was the same ritual every summer.
"The club would let me know which long-shot target they had in mind and then ask me to contact him.
Advert
"They thought that a request to consider moving to Liverpool would have more impact coming from me."
Gerrard revealed that Liverpool wanted to sign Willian in 2013, who was playing for Anzhi Makhachkala at the time in Russia.
But the former Liverpool skipper outlined how he attempts were ultimately in vain as the Brazilian felt the Anfield club were not in the reckoning to win the Champions League at the time.
Advert
Gerrard wrote: "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. A cold call felt wrong.
"I slipped into the groove with Willian. 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, despite the pair striking up a conversation, Gerrard knew his efforts would not end productively when Willian responded: "I'm not sure Liverpool can give me the Champions League."
Advert
Willian ended up moving to Chelsea and won two Premier League titles, the FA Cup, the League Cup and the Europa League at Stamford Bridge.