The Liverpool hero was tasked with helping to secure the World Cup winner
Steven Gerrard
Steven Gerrard says he spoke with Toni Kroos (Image: The Overlap)
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Former Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers used Steven Gerrard in an attempt to pull off an audacious move for German World Cup winner Toni Kroos. Gerrard revealed that, as the club's captain, he was tasked with approaching Kroos, who claimed a world title with Die Mannschaft in 2014.
Writing in his 2015 autobiography, My Story, the midfielder regaled how he attempted to lure the playmaker to the Reds. However, Kroos, then at Bayern Munich, ultimately decided to join Real Madrid instead.
Gerrard wrote: "I had an unofficial role at the club, trying to persuade some great players to join Liverpool. It was the same ritual every summer. The club would let me know which long-shot target they had in mind and ask me to contact him.
"Our target in 2014 was ridiculously optimistic. Brendan asked me to take a crack at trying to talk Toni Kroos into signing for Liverpool. I knew Real Madrid were gearing up to make Bayern Munich an offer and so I felt a bit awkward when I texted Kroos. But God loves a trier and so I gave it a whirl.
"Some of the best footballers in the world can also be the most respectful. Kroos did not make me feel like I was a total idiot. But, of course, he would soon sign for Real."
Former Real Madrid and Germany midfielder Toni Kroos
Former Real Madrid and Germany midfielder Toni Kroos (Image: Getty Images)
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Offering his side of the story, Kroos told The Athletic in 2020: "It wasn’t a straight chat-up line, but they offered to tell me more about the club and so on. The funny thing was, [Luis] Suarez was about to leave to Barcelona anyway."
Kroos would become one of the greatest midfielders in Madrid's modern history, winning four La Liga titles. He also claimed the Champions League five times, featuring in the 2018 and 2022 finals against Liverpool, with the German coming out on top on both occasions.
He retired from football following Euro 2024. Gerrard also discussed moving for Willian, the Brazilian forward who would eventually sign for Chelsea.
"In 2013, the latest player in our sights was Willian, the Brazilian midfielder. Instead of calling him directly, I always sent a text," Gerrard said. "It seemed more respectful and allowed the player to read my message at a time when it suited him best.
Willian.
Willian was a target for Liverpool(Image: Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
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"I slipped into the groove with William. I said hello and hoped he didn't mind me contacting him directly. I stressed how much I admired him as a player.
"And then, having mentioned that I knew Liverpool were speaking to his agent, I used the standard line: 'If you need to chat or ask any questions, I'm available at any time.' However, he replied with: 'I'm not sure Liverpool can win me the Champions League.'"
The midfielder joined the Blues for £30million to work under Jose Mourinho and spent seven years at Stamford Bridge, winning two Premier League titles – and no Champions League titles.
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