Rangers boss Steven Gerrard has revealed how close he came to quitting Liverpool for Real Madrid.

Speaking to his old friend and team-mate Jamie Carragher on The Greatest Game podcast, he detailed the times he was tapped up.

On his on-off move to Chelsea, Gerrard recalled: "I have to accept the part that I played and the flirtation with Chelsea, and the ego and coldness between me and Rafa (Benitez).

"Maybe with a bit of maturity or experience we could have avoided some of the s**** that got out, or how far it did get. But there is relief there but at the same time I probably needed to do that with Liverpool to make them realise what they've got.

"It's always nice to know other clubs rate you as a player. I think about a year or two of Mourinho at Madrid more than I think about a year or two of Mourinho at Chelsea.

"I don't have no regrets not going to Chelsea, I have no regrets over it at all. I can take my lad to the game now, I got invited back to the academy to coach and that's the relationship I want with Liverpool."

Gerrard also revealed Real wanted him to "cause a war" to force an exit from Anfield.

"I think if all the Chelsea stuff didn't happen and Mourinho, when he came for me around 2010, maybe a year or two, you look back and think 'imagine playing for Madrid for a year or two, imagine playing for Mourinho in the Champions League with Madrid, unbelievable experience' but it didn't happen.

"Madrid wanted me to cause a war at Liverpool to get out, that's the only way that could have happened."