Jermain Defoe has revealed that Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher tried to get Liverpool to sign him twice during his career. The former England striker, who retired in 2022, says the Reds made two attempts to bring him to Anfield.
The 43-year-old, one of the Premier League's most prolific finishers during his spells with West Ham and Tottenham, says he received offers from Liverpool on two separate occasions. He also claims that Gerrard and Carragher, his England team-mates, were instrumental in the club's pursuit.
Two attempts to sign Defoe
Liverpool first showed interest in signing Defoe from Tottenham in 2006, during Rafael Benitez's tenure. The move was potentially part of a deal involving Djibril Cisse, but it did not amount to anything.
A more serious pursuit came in January 2012, when Sir Kenny Dalglish looked to land Defoe on deadline day. Liverpool were struggling for goals, and Defoe had fallen down the pecking order at White Hart Lane. Defoe requested a loan move to Anfield, but then-Spurs manager Harry Redknapp blocked it.
Defoe on the frustration
Speaking on William Hill's podcast, The Warm-Up, Defoe said: "I get asked about why I didn't sign for the likes of Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea or Man United a lot. The other day I bumped into a Liverpool fan and he asked, 'What happened in that year you were meant to come to us?'"
He added: "It is frustrating though, because whenever I talk to some of the boys that played for these big clubs, they all say that they wanted me to come. I got offers from Liverpool twice. I think Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher were involved in that, while Kenny Dalglish was manager."
Defoe also revealed he received a call from an agent who wanted to take him to Juventus, but he had already agreed to return to Tottenham under Redknapp in 2009.
Career without major honours
Despite never fulfilling his dream of playing for one of the big clubs, Defoe forged an outstanding career at West Ham, Spurs, Portsmouth, Sunderland and Bournemouth. He netted 162 Premier League goals, placing him 10th on the all-time scoring charts.
Yet major honours passed him by, with only the League Cup in 2008 to show for his efforts in English football.
