Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has recalled when Steven Gerrard turned down Chelsea.
That was back in the summer of 2005 when Rodgers was working alongside Jose Mourinho in his backroom staff.
Rodgers, asked if everyone at Chelsea thought they sealed the Gerrard deal, said: "Yes, it looked like it was done to be fair. It was a really close thing.
"It was only when we came in off the training ground one day and we were in the canteen. It flashed up that it wasn't going to happen. He was going to sign a new deal.
"Jose had come into the club and had a real impact on football. They were buying the top players.
"But thankfully for me and the supporters, Steven stayed and it would be really fitting if we could do something special this year for him.
"If Steven wins the Premier League is that worth three or four times what it would be if he had won it somewhere else? He knows he's done it true to his own values and the values of his club.
"Success for me as a manager is helping people achieve their dreams. That's my dream. I want to do well but I won't be crying when I'm 70 as long as I have helped people improve and achieve their dream.
"For Steven, it's about Liverpool. For others it will be: Right let's get the trophies here, get the money there'.
"For Steven Gerrard, if he wanted money or trophies he could have very easily walked out of here. But knowing the man and working with him for two seasons, he's more than that."
