Wednesday, 22nd October, 2014



Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard gave his approval to a move to Real Madrid in 2005 before backing off from the deal at the last moment, according to Madrid-based daily Marca.

The midfielder revealed yesterday that he rebuffed Los Blancos’ approaches twice earlier in his career and he admitted that he might live to regret that decision in the future.




However, the former England captain said yes to a move to Real Madrid in 2005, when it seemed he was on his way out of Anfield.

Gerrard had just won the Champions League with Liverpool and Real Madrid president Florentino Perez was desperate to add him to the collection of stars that he already had at the club.
 


Real Madrid also reached an agreement with the Reds to sign the midfielder, who had refused to sign a new contract, but Gerrard backed out of the deal at the last moment to remain at his hometown club.  

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Gerrard would have played with the likes of Luis Figo, Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldo and David Beckham at the Bernabeu if he had gone through with the transfer.

The Liverpool captain did refuse to extend his contract with Liverpool in the summer of 2005 after the club rejected a £32m bid for him from Chelsea. He eventually backtracked and signed a new deal with the Reds.

Gerrard will lead Liverpool this evening against Real Madrid in the Champions League at Anfield.

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