Steven Gerrard will line up against Nicolas Anelka this afternoon believing they would both be playing for Liverpool but for a gaffe by Gerard Houllier in 2002.

The England captain was talking ahead of the match-up with Chelsea about then Anfield manager  Houllier's failure to sign Anelka permanently when he was on loan at the club.

Gerrard told the News of the World: "Every club makes a couple of mistakes in the transfer market and we made one when we didn't sign Nicolas Anelka in 2002. Nicolas was top-class for us and I thought he'd done enough to stay. He was a good lad around the dressing-room as well. I've always thought it was a shame he's not still with us.

''What made it doubly disappointing for me was I knew how desperate he was to sign on a permanent deal at the time. Unfortunately, these decisions are taken and it's only when you look back later you can make a judgement. I don't think anyone will deny we got that one wrong."

Spot on, Steven. Houllier decided that Anelka was not the man for Anfield and instead opted for £10m El Hadji Diouf. Not the most inspired move when you consider his 80 appearances in a Liverpool shirt produced just six goals! Let’s just accentuate that mistake by pointing out that three of those goals came against Southampton, and the others in encounters with Ipswich, Bolton and Sheffield United. Diouf's record also included an incredible 42 games without a goal so I think I've made my point.

Whatever Anelka’s shortcomings were, temperament was more of an issue back then. It was clearly a mistake not to sign him and Stevie G makes a very good point and one that no doubt Anfield regulars often ponder themselves. Especially when they see Dirk Kuyt on the team sheet!

How much does Houllier have to answer for in not signing Anelka? Post your comments below.