Steven Gerrard captained the Liverpool side which lost 3-0 to Real Madrid last night and before the game, Spanish newspaper Marca revealed that the midfielder was set to join the Group B table toppers.
But when Real were holding talks with Gerrard, shortly after he won the Champions League, he backtracked on the move and a deal never materialised.
Madrid then tried again in 2010 to lure the Reds captain to the Bernabeu with Jose Mourinho in charge, but were unsuccessful.
“It is very flattering to be linked to a huge club like Madrid,” Gerrard said. “I have had options throughout my career to go to Real Madrid, but I resisted the temptation to stay with my home town club.
“I may regret at the end of my career not going to experiencing a different scenery, but I would have had bigger regret leaving Liverpool, the club I love.
“Real Madrid are a special club but, for me, Liverpool is my number one club.”
By Phil Wellbrook
