The cousin of Steven Gerrard, Anthony, previously revealed that he turned down the chance to play for Liverpool on several occasions, rejections he has come to rue in the years since
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - AUGUST 24: Steven Gerrard coach of Al Ettifaq looks on during the Saudi Pro League match between Al-Shabab and Al Ettifaq at Al-Shabab Club Stadium on August 24, 2024 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images)
Former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard tried to encourage his cousin to sign for the Reds
(Image: Getty Images)
Anthony Gerrard, cousin of Liverpool icon Steven Gerrard, revealed he turned down the Reds on three occasions in decisions he's come to regret. Anthony, 39, first came through the youth ranks at Everton in 2004.
He claimed he spurned his chances to move to Anfield as he didn't want to be overshadowed by his iconic relative, whom he grew up with, now berating himself as a "divvy" for snubbing the Toffees' Merseyside rivals.
"I had three opportunities to sign for Liverpool," Anthony told The Football Historian Podcast in April. "And because Steven was Steven and me being like, ‘No, I want to walk my own path,’ and all that, which in hindsight was an absolute divvy move."
Anthony believes his connection to Gerrard may have helped him succeed at Anfield, while he declared that his choice to stick with the Reds' neighbours could have cost him one of the game's biggest prizes.
He added: "I’m not saying ride his coattails, but with what he was at the club and what he’d accomplished, he would have put me in good stead at the football club.
"So when I signed my pro deal at Everton I had two offers from Liverpool and I was like, ‘No, I don’t want to do it.’ In hindsight, could I have had them Premier League appearances and stuff? Maybe I could even have a Champions League medal with the lads who were on the bench at the time."
Anthony Gerrard (left) in action for Oldham Athletic vs Carlisle United in October 2018
Anthony Gerrard (left) in action for Oldham Athletic vs Carlisle United in October 2018
Anthony, a tough-tackling centre-half, eventually left Everton after one year to join Walsall. Including one season on loan, he spent five seasons at West Midlands club, where he won League Two in 2006.
Stints at Cardiff City, Hull City and Huddersfield Town followed. However, it was his time at Cardiff that saw him go up against his famous cousin on the pitch as Liverpool beat the Bluebirds to lift the League Cup under Kenny Dalglish in 2012.
To rub salt into Anthony's wounds, it was the Scouse defender who missed the vital penalty at Wembley to gift the Reds the trophy. Anthony later played for Oldham Athletic and for Shrewsbury Town.
Spells at Carlisle United and finally Chesterfield rounded off his career, which he called time on in January 2020. Speaking about being released from Everton in 2012, Anthony opened up on the drive that kept him going and saw him forge a solid career in football.
Cardiff City's Anthony Gerrard (right) stands dejected as he is consoled by cousin Steven Gerrard after his penalty miss
Cardiff City's Anthony Gerrard stands dejected as he is consoled by cousin Steven Gerrard after his penalty miss
"When you have a dream, you just can't give up on it," he said to The Guardian. "Players do fall out of football when they get released by bigger clubs. I don't think it's down to their ability.
"I think it is down to their mental state. I have got a great support network around me – my dad, my grandad. They pick me up and tell me that I am not a bad player just because of one manager's say-so."
Meanwhile, Gerrard also spoke in glowing terms of his cousin, just as the two were set to meet at Wembley in 2012. "I'm five or six years older than him, but I knew from a young age he was going to be a good player," Gerrard said.
"I used to have a kickabout with him from about four to 10 or 12, and he was really good. Everton picked him up really quickly so I knew he had a really good chance."