Steven Gerrard names one key transfer mistake that cost Liverpool dearly

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FT Desk

Steven Gerrard believes that a series of mistakes in the transfer market cost Liverpool dearly in a certain period of his Anfield career.

He spent nearly his entire professional playing career at Liverpool, making 710 appearances between 1998 and 2015 and scoring 186 goals before a short period at LA Galaxy.

Though he was the heartbeat of the club for so long and won the Champions League in 2005, Premier League glory eluded him and Liverpool during his time at the club.

In a discussion on Rio Ferdinand's podcast about Liverpool failing to overcome the likes of Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea in the noughties, Gerrard said transfer dealings were partly to blame and gave one example.

The Reds apparently had the opportunity to sign Nicolas Anelka and instead opted for El Hadji Diouf, who was coming off an impressive 2002 World Cup with Senegal.

"We got recruitment badly wrong at times. Badly wrong at times," Gerrard said.

"I'll give you one example. We had the chance to sign Nicolas Anelka or El Hadji Diouf and we bought El Hadji on the back of a four, five game period in a World Cup when we could have bought someone on the back of five, six years.

"That was a decision... I don't know who made the final decision.

That was one example of us as a club getting it wrong because that is one of the biggest mismatches you could debate.

"El Hadji Diouf for Nicolas Anelka."

Ferdinand interjected, saying Anelka was a top opponent during his career.

"Anelka is one of the hardest players I played against," the former Man Utd defender revealed.

"One of the top three hardest I played against."

Anelka apparently spent some time training with Liverpool and it was then that Gerrard became aware of the Frenchman's abilities, which made it all the more baffling that the club opted to sign Diouf.

"He came into our sessions... coolest man ever. Calm, relaxed," the former Liverpool captain continued.

"You just knew he had that aura and that confidence in himself that he was ready to win.

"He was ready to help Liverpool win more or get closer to you guys.

"A decision was made...

"Honestly, it was a complete mismatch.

"That was one example I'll give you where I couldn't believe what was happening."

Diouf would go on to make 80 appearances for Liverpool in all competitions, scoring six goals, while Anelka would eventually win the Premier League with Chelsea in 2009/10.