MX23RW : Wednesday, May 29 00:39:42| >> :60:601:601:

Rick Parry: 'Steven Gerrard was adamant about joining Chelsea'

Former Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry recalls how Steven Gerrard was "adamant" about joining Chelsea in 2005 and how they thought that they had "lost him".

Former Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry has recalled how Steven Gerrard was "adamant" about joining Chelsea in 2005.

Save for a spell with Los Angeles Galaxy in the twilight of his career, Gerrard spent the entirety of his playing days at Anfield, and is now coaching the Reds Under-18 team.

However, he was a target for Jose Mourinho during the Portuguese's first spell at Stamford Bridge, and both player and club issued statements announcing his decision to leave Merseyside at the time.

Gerrard ultimately decided against a move to West London, but when Parry was asked by the Liverpool Echo how close the talisman came to leaving, he replied: "Way too close.

"It's quite interesting when you reflect on that time. People frequently say who are the signings you are proudest of and who gave you the most pleasure. In many ways it was Steven and Carra - keeping players is as important as buying them.

"Clearly, Steven came very close (to leaving) twice. In fact on the second occasion we thought we had lost him. The chairman and I went to see him at Melwood and there was no changing his mind. He was adamant but, fortunately, he did change his mind.

"We tried to outline that he was at the centre of all our plans. Steven's dilemma was he wanted to win trophies and would he have a better chance of doing that elsewhere with greater resources?

"Steven's head had been turned and he was tempted but when it came to it he wanted to stay. He phoned me late at night. He said: 'You're not going to believe this but will you have me back again?' The obvious answer was yes."

Gerrard made his first-team debut for Liverpool in 1998 at the age of 18, 10 years after he was first recruited by the Reds, and he went on to make a further 709 appearances and spend 12 years as captain of the club.

ID:301042: cacheID:301042:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2814:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Steven Gerrard of Liverpool gestures during the Barclays Premier League match between Liverpool and Crystal Palace at Anfield on May 16, 2015
Read Next:
Gerrard: Boyhood fan to Liverpool great
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CManchester CityMan City38287396346291
2Arsenal38285591296289
3Liverpool382410486414582
4Aston Villa382081076611568
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs382061274611366
6Chelsea381891177631463
7Newcastle UnitedNewcastle381861485622360
8Manchester UnitedMan Utd38186145758-160
9West Ham UnitedWest Ham381410146074-1452
10Crystal Palace381310155758-149
11Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton381212145562-748
12Bournemouth38139165467-1348
13Fulham38138175561-647
14Wolverhampton WanderersWolves38137185065-1546
15Everton38139164051-1140
16Brentford38109195665-939
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3899204967-1832
RLuton TownLuton3868245285-3326
RBurnley3859244178-3724
RSheffield UnitedSheff Utd38372835104-6916


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!