Steven Gerrard Reveals Heartbreak as Arsenal Snatches Target from Liverpool's Grasp

Liverpool's iconic former skipper Steven Gerrard finds himself pondering "what might have been" as he reflects with longing on Declan Rice's transfer to Arsenal instead of Liverpool in 2023.

The ex-West Ham United star was highly coveted that summer. Having just become the first Hammers captain since Bobby Moore to secure a European title with the east London club, Rice attracted significant interest from numerous Premier League teams.

Manchester City seemed to be frontrunners for most of the transfer window before withdrawing when West Ham set their asking price above £90 million ($121.5 million). This figure also proved prohibitive for Liverpool, who were undertaking a midfield overhaul that year after losing Fabinho and Jordan Henderson. While Arsenal ultimately paid £105 million for Rice, the Reds distributed approximately £155 million across Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch.

This trio formed the backbone of Liverpool's Premier League title pursuit last season while Rice—for the consecutive second year—ended as runner-up with Arsenal. Despite this, Gerrard still seems regretful that his fellow versatile midfielder isn't playing at Anfield.

"I believe he's truly entering that tier where he's developing into a world-class midfielder," the legendary Merseyside figure praised during a recent guest spot on The Smith Brothers podcast.

"He's perhaps one we should have attempted to secure from West Ham, I'm uncertain if we pursued him but picture him in this current midfield setup."

This admiration won't surprise Rice. Earlier this campaign, the England star disclosed that Gerrard was among the roster of legendary countrymen who contacted him.

"I believe [David] Beckham sent me a message, but I received countless messages," Rice shared with TNT Sports in September, particularly noting his free-kick brilliance against Real Madrid in the Champions League quarterfinals. "Former England greats, all of them, including Frank Lampard, Gerrard, numerous people."

Gerrard: Rice is the Prototype Midfielder

For countless observers, Gerrard represented the quintessential English midfielder. Charging across every inch of turf during his storied Liverpool career, the former Champions League champion embodied the "box-to-box" philosophy. There's considerable resemblance between his former playing style and what Gerrard observes in Rice.

"I adore Declan Rice," he enthused, "I've been championing him for an extended period. I managed [Aston] Villa against West Ham before his Arsenal move, I hadn't grasped how imposing he was since I hadn't encountered him face-to-face.

"You enter the tunnel and think, 'Wow, that's an impressive frame for a midfielder.' If you're constructing a midfielder, he possesses an ideal physique, standing 6'1", 6'2", with the mobility, the strength, that's the midfielder you aspire to become. He remained composed with the ball, relentless without it, constantly moving, I genuinely admire him as an individual too."

This glowing endorsement is completely shared by Rice's present teammates and coach, with Martin Ødegaard recently praising the midfielder's adaptability as a crucial element in Arsenal's ongoing title pursuit.