Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard admits he'd still love to play for Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho. Mourinho almost persuaded him to join Chelsea in 2004 and 2005 - a period when he led the Blues to two Premier League titles and a League Cup.

But Mourinho did not give up the chase and renewed his interest as Real Madrid boss, saying he could never understand why Gerrard, 32, was still at under-achieving Liverpool.

Now the Anfield skipper has confirmed: "I would like to play for Mourinho, the Special One."

Despite winning a Champions League trophy, a UEFA Cup, two FA Cups and three League Cups in his 14 years at Liverpool, Gerrard still does not possess an elusive Premier League winner's medal.

The lack of major honours at Anfield has often led to interest in the England skipper from some of Europe's most successful clubs.

But the Kop idol remained loyal to his boyhood team.

When asked about the interest from Mourinho when he was Chelsea boss, Gerrard said: "Liverpool weren't really challenging at the time, so there was something to think about.

"But I ended up saying 'no' and a year later I said 'no' again. But he came back when he arrived at Real Madrid two years ago.

"I look at some players who get interest from clubs like Real Madrid and Barcelona and they cause absolute wars to get out and get there.

"But that has never been me and, again, it just wasn't going to happen."