8 Jul 2013

Agent confirms: Gerrard tried to convince LFC to sign 'phenomenal' €5m star.

Liverpool missed out on a move for Stoke City goalkeeper Jack Butland during the January transfer window, and according to the stopper's agent, LFC captain Steven Gerrard was so impressed with the youngster that he personally tried to convince the Reds to sign him.

Speaking to Reporters in January, Acting Stoke Chairman Peter Pannu confirmed LFC's interest:

"There are talks with Liverpool, and if they come in for Butland, do you not think [he] wouldn't want to go there? He is a phenomenal player."

In an interview over the weekend, Butland's agent, Gary Mellor, revealed that Butland could be on the move again if Asmir Begovic stays at Stoke, noting that 'I don't see him sitting on the bench at Stoke'.

Mellor also claimed that Gerrard personally intervened to try and push through the transfer to Anfield. He told 6 Towns Radio

"I had a meeting with Liverpool about Jack, and Ian Ayre said the only player Steven Gerrard has ever picked up the phone and called them to sign was Jack when he was in the England squad in Poland and Ukraine last summer."

Gerrard must've been hugely impressed with Butland - who cost Stoke €5m - but I find it hard to believe that this is the first time in fourteen years that the Reds captain has tried to convince the club to sign someone (!)

Gerrard knows his influence at Anfield, and I'm sure he's in the club's ear regularly giving his views on who should be signed. I wouldn't be surprised if the 'Gerrard phone-call' thing is transfer tactic Ayre uses in a bid to entice players to Liverpool.

It looks like Butland's gamble in joining Stoke has not paid off. Quite why he decided to move there whilst Begovic still rules the roost is anyone's guess, and with Simon Mignolet installed at Anfield, he's also lost his chance at Liverpool.






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21 comments:

  1. butland ,6million cheaper and would have given pepe good competition,the only position were i think we should have signed someone with potential for the future,maybe we will go back in for him when pepe leaves ,

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  2. Butland is far from the finished article, and isn't quite good enough to be a No1 keeper for a top 10 side yet, I don't think. Mignolet, is better currently.
    But Butland has the potential to become a very good keeper.

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  3. He would never sell for £5 million. More like closer to £10 million I think. So price isn't really much different.

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  4. he cost stoke 5million ,thats when we should have signed him thats when gerrard tried to get the board to sign him according to rumour

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  5. Yea, I meant he wont cost that now. I think we should have signed him then, as he would have had a great mentor in Reina.
    Like I said, he has a lot of potential, but is far from finished.
    I guess it depends of whether Reina is staying, as right now, Mignolet is my preferred choice. But in 3-5 years, Butland could be much better.

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  6. unlucky lads,hes not a red but a red and white of the mighty potters,:), from what i hear he will be available for loan,get stevie whispering in ears again and stoke might let u lend him lol

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  7. imo it only a matter of time before pepe leaves we will need to recoup some of our massive outlay this summer;-)

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  8. MIGNOLET is way BETTER....

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  9. hk to sign for dortmond today according to talksport

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  10. tbf, Stoke are probably a bigger club than LFC now, they have been in Europe more recently

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  11. tbf, Stoke are a bigger club than liverpool now anyway, so he made the right decision

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  12. Said no one sane ever

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  13. cause they are m8 keep taking the tablets

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  14. Are you on drugs mate? Go to a rehab ASAP.

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  15. And when was the last time they got into CL? Never?

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  16. Yes, he's a good keeper and does have a lot of potential but not the one who can be played as No.1 as of now. I think we should have signed him so that he could be learning from Pepe but then we've Ward who is going to step up for the third choice this season I guess.

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  17. did you think enough to say this...?

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  18. That's a lie, Liverpool were in Europe last season and Stoke weren't

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  19. He must be leaving. With a tiny transfer budget, why would you spend 10 million on a keeper, when other areas need improving?

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  20. A big club is based on support and amount of success. Just because liverpool arent world beaters, doesnt make them a small club. Our time will come again. Stokes hasnt began yet. Lol.

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  21. me niether but unless the right club comes in pepe may stay,and then if they is no more money we will look very silly

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