Steven Gerrard is one of Liverpool’s most famous footballers of the modern era. While playing in England, he remained loyal to his hometown club for almost his entire playing career. Only towards the end, when his powers began to wane, did he allow himself a short spell in the USA. For Liverpool FC, Steven made over 500 appearances, a truly impressive figure. Let’s delve into Gerrard’s story at liverpoolski.com.
What Made Steven Gerrard a Legend
Gerrard is one of Liverpool’s great modern legends (another prime example is Jamie Carragher). He was born in 1980 in the Merseyside village of Whiston and joined the Liverpool academy at the age of nine. From that point on, the Merseyside footballer lived and breathed his hometown club, spending 17 unforgettable seasons there. With the team, Gerrard won many trophies, most notably the Champions League in 2005. Although he never won the Premier League title, he came agonisingly close three times as the team finished in second place. In addition, Steven won:
- 2 FA Cups;
- 3 League Cups;
- 1 UEFA Cup.
Gerrard also received numerous individual accolades. Among them, he was named in the PFA Team of the Year a record eight times and was selected for both the UEFA Team of the Year and the FIFA FIFPro World XI three times. Playing in midfield, he scored a remarkable number of goals for a player in his position:
- 538 club appearances – 125 goals.
- 114 England caps – 21 goals.
Career Progression
Gerrard made his debut for Liverpool on 29 November 1998. He wasn’t immediately given a place in the starting line-up, spending a year on the bench and in the rotation squad. In the 2000-2001 season, the Liverpool footballer took to the field in 50 matches across various competitions. That period was very successful for Liverpool: the club won three trophies in a single year: the League Cup, the FA Cup, and the UEFA Cup.
Gerrard also possessed leadership qualities, becoming captain at the young age of 23. In 2005, he took part in one of the greatest matches in the club’s history. Trailing AC Milan by three goals, Liverpool managed to turn the tide after half-time. The Reds equalised to make it 3-3 and went on to win in a penalty shootout. It is said that the players were inspired by the fans’ passionate rendition of the anthem You’ll Never Walk Alone. But Steven Gerrard also played his part, scoring the first goal himself and making his teammates believe again.
Around this time, he was tempted to leave his hometown club. Steven received an attractive offer from Chelsea. However, the footballer realised he couldn’t leave his city and signed a new four-year deal. The following season, he scored a stunning long-range goal for Liverpool from approximately 35 yards out.
In August 2012, Gerrard captained the side for the 250th time. During the same period, he won his final trophy with Liverpool, the League Cup.
On 16 May 2015, Steven played his last game for his beloved club. He then spent 18 months at LA Galaxy – a club known for inviting legendary footballers to play before they retire. This is an understandable situation: there comes a time when an ageing player can no longer compete in a top league and moves to a less demanding one.
Gerrard was a regular starter for England from 2000 to 2014, but the national team did not achieve any major success. After the World Cup in Brazil, Steven decided to retire from international football.
In January 2017, our hero returned to Liverpool as a coach for the youth team (under-18s). He combined this role with media work – a common practice for ex-players in England.
The Path to Greatness
In this success story, we also want to analyse Gerrard’s path to glory. Did the Liverpool footballer face any difficulties, and how did he overcome them?
His first challenge came after his debut for the first team in 1998, when he was often played on the right wing. He suffered from nerves and couldn’t perform well in that position. However, within a year, he had earned the right to play in the centre, where he was much more effective. By then, the player had gained experience and felt more confident. His partnership with Jamie Redknapp in central midfield was a great support during that stage.
Gerrard was also sidelined for a while due to injury. But upon his return, he began to play well and score frequently. The player’s consistency was a cornerstone of the club’s success.
At one point, the player had doubts about whether he should continue his career at Liverpool. But he put his faith in the team when a new manager, Rafael Benítez, was appointed. It was a wise decision, as trophies followed. Would Gerrard have adapted well at a new club? It’s not a given, considering his spell in the USA did not go particularly well.
Gerrard wasn’t as flamboyant as some of his contemporaries, but he stood out for his high level of game intelligence, leadership qualities, a fantastic shot, and physical stamina. Furthermore, his versatility and work rate were impressive; Steven could easily run for the entire match as a box-to-box midfielder. He intercepted the ball, often dribbled past opponents, and was excellent in the air.
As a result, Gerrard is regarded as one of the greatest midfielders of all time, ranked alongside such stars as Zinedine Zidane, Andrea Pirlo, and Roy Keane.