A top Liverpool transfer target was left over the knot after winning a rare signed Steven Gerrard shirt on eBay, strengthening rumours over a potential move to Anfield
A signed Steven Gerrard Shirt
Adam Wharton won a signed Steven Gerrard shirt(Image: X)
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Adam Wharton was left beaming as he won a signed Steven Gerrard shirt from Liverpool's 2005 Champions League-winning celebrations. A clip of the Crystal Palace midfielder bidding on the shirt via eBay Live has emerged on social media, using the screenname @whartttty.
Wharton was spotted waiting for the auction to tick down nervously as he slapped a final bid of £410 on the celebratory shirt, adorned with 'European Champions Istanbul 2005,' which also featured Gerrard's signature slap bang in the centre above the iconic Carlsberg sponsor.
Beaming as the auction came to a close and he was announced winner, Wharton said: "We got it," as he rocked backwards on his chair beaming. The clip then cutaway to the 22-year-old outside, explaining that the shirt had finally arrived.
He said: "So the shirt from Icon Memorabilia's live stream has just arrived - here it is. What a beauty that is."
The camera then flipped to the shirt, laying on a sun lounger in all of its glory. One of the most memorable Champions League finals of all time, 2005's night under the bright lights of Istanbul's Ataturk Olympic Stadium saw Gerrard captain his boyhood club to a penalty shootout win over AC Milan.
However, it was the fashion in which the Reds managed to overcome all odds to secure the European Championship over a golden era I Rossoneri which will live long in the memory of Liverpool fans.
Rafael Bentiez's men trailed by three goals at half-time thanks to Paulo Maldini's first-minute opener and a brace from Hernan Crespo.
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However, it was a game of two halves in Turkey, as the Reds came out swinging for the duration of the second 45 to level matters. Gerrard gave the club a glimmer of hope 54 minutes in, with Vladimir Smicer making it 3-2 just two minutes later.
Xabi Alonso then squared the game on the 60 minute mark, before a defensive masterclass from both teams, extending through extra-time, called for a tense penalty shootout.
Liverpool ultimately won that 3-2 thanks to misses from Serginho, Andrea Pirlo and Andriy Shevchenko to clinch the fifth European title of their rich history.
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It comes as Wharton has been linked with a move to Anfield this summer, despite Crystal Palace's desperation to retain him for the new season. The Eagles have reportedly slapped the midfielder with a price tag of around £78million, but Liverpool could face stiff competition in the form of Real Madrid.
Jose Mourinho is thought be insistent on engine room reinforcement, with Los Blancos missing out on the race to sign Rodri. Wharton would fit the bill perfectly, given his similar style of play to the Manchester City veteran, who is set to join Barcelona.