--- title: "Gerrard opens up about Real Madrid interest back in 2010" canonical: "https://readliverpoolfc.com/articles/gerrard-opens-up-about-real-madrid-interest-back-in-2010/" type: "post" language: "en-GB" author: "Henry Jackson" section: "Articles" published: "2020-01-09T13:30:00Z" modified: "2020-01-09T13:30:00Z" --- # Gerrard opens up about Real Madrid interest back in 2010 Steven Gerrard has revealed how Real Madrid tried to ’cause a war’ with Liverpool in a bid to sign him in 2010. The 39-year-old is widely seen as [one of the Reds’ greatest players of all time, if not the best](). Barring a spell at LA Galaxy at the very end of his playing days, Gerrard spent his entire career at Liverpool, making [710 appearances](https://www.lfchistory.net/Players/Player/Profile/305) over a 17-year period. That’s not to say there wasn’t constant interest in him, however, with a move to Chelsea [almost materialising](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2005/jul/05/newsstory.sport2) in 2004 and 2005. Jose Mourinho also tried to bring Gerrard to Real Madrid in 2010, having always been an admirer of his talent. Speaking on *[The Greatest Game with Jamie Carragher](https://audioboom.com/channels/5005036)*, the Liverpool legend revealed how the move appealed in some ways, but that he never wanted to damage his boyhood club: > I think if all the Chelsea stuff didn’t happen and Mourinho, when he came for me around 2010, maybe you look back and think ‘imagine playing for Madrid for a year or two. > Imagine going and playing for Mourinho in the Champions League – that would’ve been an unbelievable experience. Of course it would. But it didn’t happen. > Basically, Madrid wanted me to cause a war at Liverpool to get out. That was the only way that could’ve happened. ### Read Liverpool Verdict I believe Gerrard would have been fantastic for Real Madrid, even though he was just past his peak in 2010, following an [award-winning 2008/09 campaign](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2009/may/13/steven-gerrard-football-writers-player-of-the-year). The dynamism and quality he would have brought to their midfield would have been devastating, particularly as La Liga is slower-paced than the Premier League. It speaks volumes about Gerrard’s loyalty that he stayed put, however, spending five more years at Anfield. Liverpool losing Gerrard to Chelsea in the mid-2000s would have been far more damaging, though, considering he was in his prime at that point, and the Blues were a direct rival.