Liverpool name-drop Steven Gerrard in bid to sign North Korean striker Han Kwang-song… but efforts massively backfire
Forward is now impressing in Serie B on loan from Cagliari at Perugia, following awkward meeting with Reds chiefs in 2015
LIVERPOOL'S attempts to sign a promising young striker fell flat - when it emerged he had no idea who Steven Gerrard was.
Reds chiefs name-dropped their iconic No8 while looking at North Korean teenager Han Kwang-song at ISM Academy - a training school in Corciano, Perugia.
The ploy was believed to have been used in an attempt to wow the youngster and spur on an Anfield switch.
But Han replied: "Who is Gerrard?"
Liverpool hero Gerrard, 37, is manager of the club's Under-18s.
Meaning Han's first day at Melwood would likely have been an embarrassing one.
Perugia's director, Alessandro Dominici, described the 2015 meeting as "awkward".
Han, 19, now plays in Serie B with on loan from Cagliari with Perugia.
But Dominici claims Liverpool, Manchester City and Fiorentina were all keen on snapping him up before he signed his first professional contract at the start of the year.
He scored six goals and an assist in his first 11 games at Perugia.
