Gerrard title would validate 2005 U-turn

Liverpool v. Chelsea today could be payback time for Steven Gerrard.

Brendan Rodgers knows what it cost his captain when he did a dramatic U-turn and pulled out of a deal that would have taken the midfielder to Chelsea in July 2005.

The Northern Irishman was head youth coach at the Stamford Bridge academy when Jose Mourinho’s £32 million bid looked set to prise the Liverpool skipper from his hometown club.

Despite Chelsea offering a huge financial incentive as well as the promise of regular silverware, Gerrard changed his mind at the 11th hour and opted to sign a new deal at Anfield.

Since then, the Blues have won two Premier Leagues, four FA Cups, a League Cup, a Champions League and a Europa League, while Liverpool have collected just an FA Cup and a League Cup.

Now the Liverpool manager has cast himself in the role of dream-maker to give his skipper the trophy he craves most.

If the pair can engineer a victory against Rodgers’ old club this afternoon, Gerrard’s decision to stay will be one step closer to being validated.

“If Steven wanted money or trophies he could have very easily have walked out of here on many occasions,” says Rodgers.

“But knowing the man after working with him for two seasons, he’s about more than that.

“The move to Chelsea looked very much like it was done. We only found out that it wasn’t in the canteen at the training ground and it flashed up on the TV.

“At that time, Jose had just come in and had a real impact. Chelsea were buying the top players.

“If Steven wins the Premier League, to him it could be worth three or four times what it would be if he’d won it somewhere else.

“He would know he’d done it true to his own values and the values of his club. For other players it’s about: let’s get a trophy here, let’s get the money there. For Steven is about Liverpool.

“Success is an individual thing. For me it’s about helping people achieve their dreams.

“My one big regret here is that Jamie Carragher decided to retire last year.

“I’d have paid to have him beside me this season. It’s just such a shame he wanted to finish.

“He probably thought about retiring two years ago but he wanted to work with me. He really helped me as a young manager.”

Rodgers is banking on the re-establishment of Anfield as the most intimidating stadium in England to help his team through today.

“Before I arrived, teams were coming here and having a nice day out,” he says.

“We needed to get back to owning Anfield. They’re our changing rooms, our grass, our ball.

“Now fans line the streets around the ground pre-match and a player coming in on the opposition bus knows it’s not going to be comfortable.”