Photo: Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard (Getty Images)
Perhaps the most significant moment in English Football along with the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson from Manchester United, the departure of Steven Gerrard from Liverpool is historic. The 34 year old midfield general will depart Anfield and the Kop at the end of this season ending his 26 years association with his boyhood club.
Stevie G has been at the club since the age of 9 years old after he was spotted by Liverpool scouts while playing for his hometown team Whiston Juniors. He had several trials at the age of 14 years old and even with Manchester United. The 34 midfield maestro admitted in his 2006 Autobiography that his trial with the Red Devils was to ‘pressure Liverpool to offering him a YTS contract.’ He however signed his first professional with the Reds in November of 1997.
Having signed his professional contract a year earlier, Gerrard made his first team Reds debut as a last-minute substitute for Vegard Heggem in November 1998 in the Premier League. He would go on to make 13 appearances in his debut season filling in for then injured skipper Jaime Rednapp. He became a regular in the 1999/2000 season partnering Jaime Rednapp in central midfield and was also used on the right flank occasionally.
Since then Gerrard has gone on to become one of the best players to have ever played in the Premier League and Champions League. He has become a role model not just for fans or young players all over the world, but for senior seasoned professionals across the globe. His finest hour was perhaps reviving Liverpool from the dead in the 2005 Champions League final against AC Milan.
Despite being 3-0 at half time, he lifted his teammates to mastermind the greatest comeback in football history to win Europe’s biggest prize on penalties.
It was an incredible story that at the age of 25 years old, a boy could drive his team to such glory against legends such as Cafu, Paolo Maldini, Jaap Stam, Alessandro Nesta, Hernan Crespo, Dida, Clarence Seedorf and Andrea Pirlo. It was at this moment in time the Kop realized that one of their very own would go on to become a truly world class player.
He is perhaps the greatest player to play in the Barclays Premier League without ever lifting it. He came very close last season but failed at the final hurdle which may have taken the wind out of his sails. It could have been the moment when he thought of leaving the club that he served with such pride, dignity and honour. Despite his failure to lift the Premier League trophy he has won the FA Cup, League Cup, Community Shield, UEFA Super Cup as well as the UEFA Cup.
Known for his drive in midfield and his ability to score from range, Gerrard is a very gifted player, technically and exceptionally strong mentally. He has a unique ability to keep his composure in moments of great anxiety which made him rescue Liverpool time and time again. To top it off, his vision, passing range and ability to dictate the pace and tempo of a game is right up there with the very best.
However his loyalty and selflessness are his greatest attributes. Since his emergence as a top player, Stevie G has turned down numerous offers from the very best clubs across Europe. Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, AC Milan, Inter Milan and of course fierce rivals Manchester United have all went knocking on his door but he turn a blind eye not just towards personal glory and silverware, but towards handsome salaries.
He might have known that Liverpool were not title contenders during his playing days at the club, but he always seem to put the clubs ambitions ahead of his own. He was the protagonist in the club’s projects and future so he knew he had a responsibility to the club and the fans despite having greater ambitions. There have been several players in the modern game who were persuaded by money but making Liverpool a major force was all the inspiration and motivation Gerrard needed to stay at Anfield.
Had he departed the club when he was a hot commodity between 2004 and 2010, he would have afforded Liverpool a hefty sum of money but it would have cost so much more to replace him. His loyalty may have served the Reds economically as well.
Often considered the heart and soul of Liverpool, his departure means the Kop will be missing so much more. Not only is he the best player to have worn the Liverpool shirt, he is the man who kept everything together at the club. He was an attraction for recruiting players, a mentor for everyone at the club as well the reason Anfield was full to capacity week-in-week-out.
Steven Gerrard will be remembered as a legend of the club he always dreamed of representing and one of the very best to have played the beautiful game. He is the epitome of being a true leader, captain and a great professional who lived the right way on and off the pitch. He is the definition of a player who gave everything he had for his club and of course the fans. There is not one player in Liverpool’s history to have sacrificed their own ambitions for the best interest of the club and for that he will be in the hearts of every Scouser; young, old and those yet to enter the world.
We have been fortunate to witness such a great artiste performing his art with such dexterity, passion and commitment. His selflessness and loyalty is unquestioned and in the modern game such attributes may never be seen again. The boy who grew up on the Merseyside accomplished his dreams of representing one of the biggest clubs in world football and now leaves as the man who is ideally synonymous with the club’s motto, ‘You’ll never walk alone.’
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