Players - Steven Gerrard

Steven Gerrard
Birthdate: 30 May 1980
Birthplace: Whiston, Knowsley, England
Other clubs: Los Angeles Galaxy (2015-16)
Signed from: Local
Signed for LFC: Joined 1988
International debut: 31.05.2000 vs. Ukraine
International caps: 114/21 (24.06.2014)
Liverpool debut: 29.11.1998
Last appearance: 24.05.2015
Debut goal: 05.12.1999
Last goal: 24.05.2015
Contract expiry: 01.07.2015
Win ratio: 52.39% W:372 D:167 L:171
Games/goals ratio: 3.82
Games/assists ratio: 4.9
Honours: FA Cup 2001, 2006; League Cup 2001, 2003, 2012; Champions League 2005; UEFA Cup 2001; PFA Young Player of the Year 2001, PFA Player of the Year 2006, FWA Footballer of the Year 2009, PFA Fans' Player of the Year 2001, 2009; European Super Cup 2001
League games / goals / assists: 504 / 120 / 92
Total games / goals / assists: 710 / 186 / 145

Player Profile

Steven Gerrard is a great leader, strong in tackle, can hit the ball at ferocious speed, has good vision, scores great goals, makes brilliant passes and has it all, simply. There is no doubt that Stevie G ranks among the elite of Liverpool FC with the likes of Billy Liddell and Kenny Dalglish. Gerrard started out with his local team, Whiston Juniors, until he was noticed by Liverpool's scouts at eight years of age. He wasn't selected to attend Lilleshall, the National football and sports centre, mainly due to his lack of height. When he was 15, he was the same height as Michael Owen, but his sudden growth caused problems in his back restricted him to only playing 20 games from 14 years of age to 16. Gerrard got his breakthrough into the Liverpool team in 1998 when Jamie Redknapp got injured. New manager Gérard Houllier had inherited the key player to his Anfield revolution. Gerrard played 13 games, but his physical condition was still restricting his progress. The first instance that convinced Liverpool fans worldwide that the boy was something special was a heroic display in his first Merseyside derby in only his ninth appearance for the club. He featured as a right-back and made two goal-line clearances as Liverpool successfully protected their lead.

Finally, the England set-up took notice. He was nominated captain of the u-18 side and made his debut for the u-21s in September 1999. Houllier trusted the 19-year-old to begin the 1999/00 season in the starting line-up alongside Redknapp and promised him at least 20 games. Didi Hamann took his place eight games into the campaign in the Merseyside derby and disappointed Gerrard came on as a substitute. He lost his composure at the end of the match and was sent off for an ugly foul and was banned for three games. Gerrard returned stronger than before, determined to prove himself and his first goal for the club, against Sheffield Wednesday on 5 December 1999 proved to be spectacular. “A wonderful talent, a young man with the steel of a Stiles and the style of a Souness” – as Ric George described him in the Liverpool Echo – “side-stepped, danced and dribbled past three defenders before finishing decisively." He also proved his versatility as in one year he had played as a left-back, right-back, defensive and offensive midfielder and right-winger.

On 31 May 2000 Gerrard made his international debut, aged 20 years and one day, in a 2-0 win against Ukraine at Wembley. A relative newcomer to the England squad Gerrard only made one substitute appearance in Euro 2000 when he came on for Michael Owen in a win over Germany. Kevin Keegan's England team only recorded this one win and failed to qualify from their group. The boy had sure come far in a short period of time and his career rose rapidly in the 2000/01 season. He made 50 appearances for Liverpool, won the League Cup and FA Cup and scored a goal, which he ranks as one of his most memorable, in the brilliant 5-4 win over Alaves in the UEFA Cup final. Gerrard was named the Professional Footballers Association's Young Player of the Year. Liverpool, under the guidance of Houllier, continued its progress in the League and finished second in the 2001/02 season, seven points behind Arsenal. Gerrard was ruled out of England's World Cup squad in the summer through injury. Liverpool's form dropped considerably in the next two years. Despite these setbacks, Gerrard's influence had grown and on 15 October 2003 he was made captain of Liverpool Football Club, a dream come true for the boyhood Red: "I was captain of my school side and I used to go along to Anfield to watch the team. I used to watch Barnes with the captain's armband and dream that one day it would be me captaining the team I love." 

Rafa Benítez took over in 2004 and in a season of reconstruction Gerrard elevated his status in the minds of Liverpool supporters when his tremendous goal against Olympiacos guaranteed his team's process from the group stages of the Champions League in front of a packed Kop. Gerrard's header nine minutes into the second half in Istanbul inspired an unlikely comeback that can be arguably called the greatest ever. What immediately followed no-one could have imagined. Liverpool's Chief Executive, Rick Parry, had told Gerrard that the club was going to renew his contract in the summer. Liverpool remained unresponsive and Chelsea with all its riches tempted Gerrard to leave for London. He later said in his autobiography it was the lowest point in his career. "I renew my deal with Liverpool in four or five years and when I do I would like Stevie to be my next coach, assistant manager and maybe even the next manager after me. He can even have the chief scout position if he wants it." - Rafa in July 2005.

Gerrard scored 20+ goals for Liverpool for the first time in the 2005/06 season and it was real "Roy of the Rovers" stuff for him when Liverpool faced West Ham in the 2006 FA Cup final. Gerrard scored with a stunning volley in the fifty-fourth minute to make it 2-2 and when West Ham seemed certain to lift the cup, being 3-2 up with time running out, he scored from a long way out because as he said his feet could not carry him any further; an incredibly audacious effort by the captain. Liverpool won the FA Cup after a penalty shoot-out. Gerrard was recognised by his professionals as the best player in the Premier League that season. Gerrard featured for Sven-Göran Eriksson's England in the 2006 World Cup in Germany, playing five games and scoring in two consecutive games against Trinidad and Tobago and Sweden. He missed a penalty as England was eliminated by Portugal in a penalty shoot-out in the quarter-finals. Liverpool's talisman had another stunning season in 2006/07, playing in 52 out of a maximum 59 competitive matches. His goal tally reached double figures for the fifth successive season. As autumn turned into winter, Gerrard scored in six successive home matches in League and cup and during the same period, he also scored a stunning free-kick up at Newcastle. But his most productive day goal-wise was when Luton Town came up to Anfield for an FA Cup third-round replay. Gerrard had not even made the squad for the original tie in Bedfordshire but in the replay, he scored a hat-trick in 17 second-half minutes to ensure that there would be no big cup upset. Like the rest of his club colleagues, Gerrard put the disappointment of losing the Champions League final in Athens behind him as Liverpool prepared for another season. Newspaper speculation again linked Liverpool's skipper with a big-money move to Chelsea in the summer of 2007. However, as he and Jamie Carragher signed new deals on 4 June 2007 to keep both players at Anfield for four more years.

Gerrard continued to be a hugely influential player for Liverpool in both 2007/08 and 2008/09, two years in which he added another 96 first-team appearances to an already impressive total. He also added another 45 goals. He scored twice as Real Madrid were humbled at Anfield in the last 16 in the Champions League, but he was unable to prevent Liverpool losing to Chelsea in the next round, the second leg of which he missed because of injury. Costly draws proved Liverpool's downfall in wrestling the championship from Manchester United in 2009. It was, however, the first time that Gerrard had been involved in a really serious Liverpool challenge for the much-coveted title and his talent was evident enough for Football Writers to vote him the best player of the season. There was something vital missing in Gerrard's game in the 2009/10 season. He knew that the team was expected to 'kick on' from the second place it had achieved in 2009 and win the ultimate prize. His extraordinary ability to get the team out of a hole, something he had done countless times in the previous ten years, was suddenly waning. He only missed seven matches so he was as much a regular in the first team as he had usually been. His contribution in terms of goals, just 12, was exactly half that of the previous season and his lowest for three years.

Liverpool's finest was named captain of the England team when injury ruled Rio Ferdinand out of the World Cup in 2010. He responded by netting England's first goal against the United States, but it was a lead he and his colleagues were unable to hold on to. He played in all four of England's matches including the one in the last 16 when Germany humbled them. In 2010/11 Gerrard played in the fewest number of competitive matches, just 24 out of 54, since his first full season of 1999/00. This was partly because of an injury he received against Manchester United at Anfield in March. United were prominent in Gerrard's season. The skipper scored twice at Old Trafford in September and his brace looked like rescuing a point until Berbatov's late winner. Back at Old Trafford in January in the FA Cup as Dalglish returned to the dugout, Gerrard was sent off by Howard Webb. Gerrard said after his successful groin operation that he hadn't felt as good for a decade as 2011/12 started.

However, injuries restricted Gerrard to only 28 appearances. Gerrard still showed glimpses of world-class talent, especially when scoring an Anfield hat-trick against Everton in March. He was also fit enough to lead the team out in both the domestic cup finals at Wembley. His joy in lifting Liverpool's first cup for six years was for all to see. In the middle of May, Roy Hodgson named Gerrard as outright England captain of the 23-man squad for the European Championships in which he was his country's key player. As the 32-year-old embarked on a new season under Brendan Rodgers he claimed he was not yet prepared to play in a deeper role in Liverpool's midfield, aiming to prove he is as dynamic as ever. Lucas' injury at the start of 2012/13 forced Gerrard to defend more than attack, being unable to showcase his talents in the final third of the field where he is the most effective. On 14 November 2012, Gerrard became the sixth Englishman to reach a century of caps for his country joining the illustrious group of Billy Wright, Bobby Charlton, Bobby Moore, Peter Shilton and David Beckham. As Liverpool progressed under Rodgers, Gerrard gained strength and provided quite a few assists for his teammates. A shoulder injury and the subsequent surgery on it prevented Gerrard from playing in every Premier League match in 2012/13. Despite missing the last two league matches against Fulham and Queens Park Rangers, he still made more first-team appearances than any other player. Ten goals was a respectable total for the season, the first time he had achieved double figures since 2009/10.

Although ultimately disappointed in his quest to finally get a Premier League winners' medal, 2013/14 was still a significant season for Liverpool's captain. As well as becoming the longest-serving skipper in the club's history Gerrard moved past Ray Clemence and Emlyn Hughes into third place in the club’s all-time competitive appearance list with only Jamie Carragher (737) and Ian Callaghan (857) now ahead of him; he also went past Kenny Dalglish’s total of 172 Liverpool goals to move just ten behind Robbie Fowler’s 183, and the penalty-kick against West Ham United in April that took him past Kenny Dalglish's total moved him level with Jan Mølby on 42 successful spot-kicks But possibly more important than any statistic was his manager's decision to try him out in a new 'holding' midfield role just in front of the back four. Gerrard adapted well to an unfamiliar position and his success played a big part in Liverpool almost achieving the impossible and winning the Premier League. Gerrard was one of five Liverpool players named in England's squad for the World Cup finals in Brazil. He played from the start and captained his country in the opening two group matches against Italy and Uruguay. With England eliminated after two defeats he came on with 17 minutes remaining in the final match against Costa Rica. Eight days after the World Cup it was announced that Gerrard had retired from international football after a 14-year spell that brought him one hundred and fourteen full international caps.

On 2 January 2015, Liverpool FC released this statement on its official website: "Liverpool Football Club can confirm Steven Gerrard is to leave the club at the end of the 2014-15 season. The Reds captain will bring the curtain down on a glittering Anfield career that has spanned nearly 17 years and included 10 trophies, as well as 695 appearances and 180 goals to date since joining the club's youth system aged eight."

Sadly, the 2014/15 season did not end on the high that the club's inspirational skipper for more than a decade had hoped for. Liverpool were beaten at the semi-final stage of both domestic cup competitions with the semi-final defeat in the FA Cup denying Gerrard the opportunity of playing in yet another final on his 35th birthday. He did, however, pass forty first-team appearances for the 12th time in his Liverpool career and in so doing reached five hundred Premier League appearances and seven hundred in all competitions. Thirteen goals took him to one hundred and eighty-six as he moved past Robbie Fowler into fifth place in the club's all-time list.

Steven Gerrard joined the Los Angeles Galaxy in the MLS as his contract expired in the summer of 2015. In his first MLS game, he was on target and also created a goal for fellow ex-Red Robbie Keane in a 5-2 win over San Jose Earthquakes. He finished the season with two goals from thirteen games, then announced early in the 2016 season that he would not be extending his contract any further, citing distances for away games as a problem. When the season ended he was linked with a move it Melbourne Victory but instead called time on his playing career, announcing his decision on 24 November. 

Gerrard returned to Liverpool as coach of the under 18s, but left in May 2018 to take up his first management position with Glasgow Rangers. He led Rangers to the title in 2020/21, remaining unbeaten all season and ending Celtic's dreams of a ten year winning streak. He left in November to take over at Aston Villa, eventually ending the season in fourteenth. After just two wins in the opening twelve games of 2022/23 Gerrard was sacked and the following summer he was announced as manager of Saudi Pro League club Al Ettifaq.
Appearances per season
Season League FA LC Europe Other Total
Totals 504 42 30 130 4 710
1998-1999 12 0 0 1 0 13
1999-2000 29 2 0 0 0 31
2000-2001 33 4 4 9 0 50
2001-2002 28 2 0 15 0 45
2002-2003 34 2 6 11 1 54
2003-2004 34 3 2 8 0 47
2004-2005 30 0 3 10 0 43
2005-2006 32 6 1 12 2 53
2006-2007 36 1 1 12 1 51
2007-2008 34 3 2 13 0 52
2008-2009 31 3 0 10 0 44
2009-2010 33 2 1 13 0 49
2010-2011 21 1 0 2 0 24
2011-2012 18 6 4 0 0 28
2012-2013 36 1 1 8 0 46
2013-2014 34 3 2 0 0 39
2014-2015 29 3 3 6 0 41
A more detailed look at the player's appearances
Apps Minutes Opponent
40 3497 Chelsea
35 2833 Manchester United
34 2875 Arsenal
33 2588 Everton
27 2321 Aston Villa
27 2150 Newcastle United
26 2218 Manchester City
25 2034 Tottenham
23 1942 Bolton Wanderers
22 1825 West Ham United
21 1509 Sunderland
20 1626 Blackburn Rovers
19 1465 Middlesbrough
16 1395 Fulham
16 1378 Southampton
15 1166 Portsmouth
14 1192 WBA
14 1172 Wigan Athletic
13 1087 Stoke City
13 1074 Birmingham City
12 999 Charlton Athletic
11 823 Leeds United
9 788 Crystal Palace
9 670 Reading
8 676 Leicester City
7 625 Norwich City
7 495 Derby
6 519 Marseille
6 518 Barcelona
6 507 Watford
6 461 Hull City
6 459 Wolves
6 430 Swansea City
4 374 Sheffield United
4 361 Atletico Madrid
4 360 Porto
4 359 QPR
4 324 Ipswich Town
4 316 Basel
4 280 PSV Eindhoven
4 280 Benfica
4 241 Coventry City
4 186 Real Madrid
3 300 Cardiff City
3 270 Leverkusen
3 270 Olympiacos
3 261 Burnley
3 217 Bradford City
3 200 Oldham Athletic
2 210 AC Milan
2 180 Fiorentina
2 180 Vitesse Arnhem
2 180 Lille
2 180 Steaua Bucharest
2 180 Levski Sofia
2 180 Unirea Urziceni
2 180 Auxerre
2 180 Debrecen VSC
2 180 Gomel
2 180 Zenit St. Petersburg
2 180 Ludogorets
2 180 Valencia
2 180 Wimbledon
2 180 AS Monaco
2 180 Dynamo Kiev
2 180 Celtic
2 180 Bournemouth
2 180 Inter Milan
2 174 Borussia Dortmund
2 174 Roma
2 170 Grazer AK
2 162 Besiktas
2 162 Luton Town
2 161 Galatasaray
2 153 Olimpija
2 142 Standard Liege
2 136 Sheffield Wednesday
2 112 TNS
2 108 Maccabi Haifa
2 106 Real Betis
2 91 Brighton & Hove Albion
2 87 Haka
2 75 FBK Kaunas
1 120 Notts County
1 117 Alaves
1 90 Celta Vigo
1 90 Rapid Bucharest
1 90 Bordeaux
1 90 Sao Paolo
1 90 Hearts
1 90 AFC Wimbledon
1 90 Anzhi Makhachkala
1 90 Tranmere Rovers
1 90 Boavista
1 90 Slovan Liberec
1 90 Juventus
1 90 Blackpool
1 90 Preston North End
1 88 Huddersfield Town
1 79 Anderlecht
1 76 Spartak Moscow
1 69 CSKA Sofia
1 66 Bayern Munich
1 65 Toulouse
1 64 Deportivo Sap.
1 62 Rabotnicki
1 59 Young Boys
1 44 Napoli
1 39 Wycombe
1 26 Rotherham United
1 25 Udinese
1 25 Lyon
1 15 Barnsley
1 12 Nottingham Forest
1 3 Havant
Total Started/substitutions
647 Started
12 On the bench
63 Substitute
139 Substituted
Total Venue
354 Home
338 Away
18 Neutral
Total Competition
504 Premier League
87 Champions League
42 FA Cup
30 League Cup
24 UEFA Cup
18 Europa League
2 World Club Championship
2 Community Shield
1 European Super Cup
Total W D L Win % Manager
292 166 62 64 56.8% Rafa Benítez
240 122 62 56 50.8% Gérard Houllier
126 60 32 34 47.6% Brendan Rodgers
34 17 7 10 50% Kenny Dalglish
18 7 4 7 38.9% Roy Hodgson
Goals per season
Season League FA LC Europe Other Total
Totals 120 15 9 41 1 186
1998-1999 0 0 0 0 0 0
1999-2000 1 0 0 0 0 1
2000-2001 7 1 0 2 0 10
2001-2002 3 0 0 1 0 4
2002-2003 5 0 2 0 0 7
2003-2004 4 0 0 2 0 6
2004-2005 7 0 2 4 0 13
2005-2006 10 4 1 7 1 23
2006-2007 7 0 1 3 0 11
2007-2008 11 3 1 6 0 21
2008-2009 16 1 0 7 0 24
2009-2010 9 1 0 2 0 12
2010-2011 4 0 0 4 0 8
2011-2012 5 2 2 0 0 9
2012-2013 9 0 0 1 0 10
2013-2014 13 1 0 0 0 14
2014-2015 9 2 0 2 0 13
A more detailed look at the player's goalscoring
Assists per season
Season League FA LC Europe Other Total
Totals 92 17 6 30 0 145
1998-1999 0 0 0 0 0 0
1999-2000 3 0 0 0 0 3
2000-2001 2 1 0 3 0 6
2001-2002 8 1 0 2 0 11
2002-2003 7 0 1 0 0 8
2003-2004 7 2 1 6 0 16
2004-2005 4 0 0 2 0 6
2005-2006 5 6 0 5 0 16
2006-2007 2 0 0 2 0 4
2007-2008 8 2 2 4 0 16
2008-2009 9 2 0 1 0 12
2009-2010 7 0 0 4 0 11
2010-2011 5 0 0 0 0 5
2011-2012 2 3 0 0 0 5
2012-2013 9 0 1 1 0 11
2013-2014 13 0 1 0 0 14
2014-2015 1 0 0 0 0 1
A more detailed look at the player's assists
Milestone Appearances
# Date Against Stadium Competition
1 29.11.1998 Blackburn Rovers Anfield League
50 23.09.2000 Sunderland Anfield League
100 11.09.2001 Boavista Anfield Europe
150 28.09.2002 Manchester City Maine Road League
200 28.09.2003 Charlton Athletic The Valley League
250 23.11.2004 AS Monaco Stade Louis II Europe
300 05.11.2005 Aston Villa Villa Park League
350 22.10.2006 Manchester United Old Trafford League
400 28.10.2007 Arsenal Anfield League
450 18.10.2008 Wigan Athletic Anfield League
500 05.12.2009 Blackburn Rovers Ewood Park League
550 05.01.2011 Blackburn Rovers Ewood Park League
600 04.11.2012 Newcastle United Anfield League
650 12.01.2014 Stoke City Britannia St. League
700 04.02.2015 Bolton Wanderers Reebok Stadium FA Cup
Milestone Goals
# Minute Date Against Stadium Competition
1 69 05.12.1999 Sheffield Wednesday Anfield League
50 40 25.10.2005 Crystal Palace Selhurst Park League Cup
100 76 01.10.2008 PSV Eindhoven Anfield Europe
150 41 09.08.2012 Gomel Anfield Europe
Related Articles
One of Premier League's greatest midfielders, if not the greatest

On 29th November 1998, Steven Gerrard made his Liverpool debut as a second-half substitute against Blackburn Rovers at Anfield.

Sven's samurai

Sunday 7 April 2002 in Observer Sport Monthly.

Gerrard to leave Liverpool: 'Toughest decision of my life'

Originally published in Eight By Eight magazine in 2014.

Steven Gerrard - One of a Kind

Carl Clemente's tribute to the longest-serving captain in Liverpool FC's history as 17 years ago today he made his debut.

A Gerrard infographic for the ages!

Robin Richards is a seriously talented graphic artist who has made an incredible infographic covering the WHOLE of Steven Gerrard's career.

Portrait of a master

Instead of saying goodbye to Steven Gerrard in traditional fashion, writing a lengthy eulogy (like so many others have done) we salute him with illustrator's Chris Watson fantastic graphic of Stevie G's Liverpool career.

Gerrard desperate to seize his one last shot at immortality with Premier League title

By the Telegraph's Jason Burt on 19 April 2014.

Norwich are AC Milan... that's how we must treat them if we want to win title

By the Daily Mail's DOMINIC KING 14 April 2014.

Steven Gerrard and the 'top, top' chop

How a line from Sir Alex Ferguson got the world wondering just how good the Liverpool and England midfielder really is. Published in Eight By Eight magazine in March 2014.

Gerrard becomes the sixth player to reach a century of caps

Sportsmail pays tribute as Gerrard becomes the sixth player to reach a century of caps. By ADAM SHERGOLD on 12 November 2012.

Gerrard picks his LFC XI

To celebrate his upcoming 600th appearance for Liverpool on 4 November 2012 Gerrard was asked to pick his all-time eleven from players he has played alongside..

Steven Gerrard: My Liverpool Story

Chris Wood's review of "Steven Gerrard : My Liverpool Story".

Gerrard: I won't reinvent myself

Don't expect Steven Gerrard to reinvent himself as a defensive midfielder any time soon, says Stevie G on 17th August 2012.

Stevie's school days

Published on 17 November 2008 on liverpoolfc.tv.

Ten years at Liverpool - Gerrard's top fives

By Paul Hassall on 16 November 2008 To commemorate the 10th anniversary later this month of Steven Gerrard's first team debut, Liverpoolfc.tv is pleased to announce the official launch of 'Gerrard Week'.

Steven Gerrard magic ensures happy home debut for John W Henry

Liverpool Echo report on Liverpool - Napoli on 04.11.2010.

Stevie G as Roy of the Rovers

By DES KELLY at the Daily Mail on 6 November 2010.

Why statistics show Steven Gerrard is a living Liverpool FC legend

By David Prentice on 20 August 2010 in the Liverpool Echo.

Gerrard revels in the role of winner

Match report by Ian Doyle on Liverpool - Everton on 29.10.2000.

Stevie interviewed by Kop Kids on LFC:tv

A superb interview by the cheeky Finn on Liverpool's Official YouTube channel.

60 mins with Steven Gerrard

LFChistory.net has exclusive access to LFC.tv's "60 minutes" interviews in text-format. Read this great in-depth interview with Liverpool's captain.

Steven Gerrard Is Our Captain - Fanzone

Reds' fan Paul Jones on captain fantastic on 13 March 2009.

Shannon: Gerrard's our greatest talent

By Paul Hassall for Liverpoolfc.tv on 18 November 2008.

Gerrard 100

Liverpool Echo compiled a description of Steven Gerrard's first 100 goals for Liverpool.

Steven Gerrard: Paying the price for his versatility

Interview from The Times on 7th September 2008.

Footballer of the year

Steven Gerrard today spoke of his delight at being voted Footballer of the Year by the Football Writers' Association - 13 May 2009.

Gerrard's FA Cup dream

From Steven Gerrard's autobiography.

Only One Steven Gerrard

There has been much talk of Liverpool being a ‘one man team’ and depending entirely on Steven Gerrard. Alex takes at look at some Stevie G facts and figures.

SG: RAFA CAN MAKE OUR DREAM COME TRUE

An interview with Steven Gerrard by Paul Eaton on 30 January 2007.

How a 12-year-old showed the talent which took him to the top

Liverpool Echo article on 20th June 2000.

Liverpool Echo match report

Liverpool Echo match report on Liverpool - Sheffield Wednesday on 05.12.1999.

Sea of controversy sparked by three second-half red cards

Liverpool Daily Post report Liverpool - Everton on 27.09.1999.

Gerrard's moment of madness

The Telegraph report on Liverpool - Everton on 22.12.2002.

Press Association match report

Match report from Press Association on Liverpool - Blackburn on 29.11.1998.

Henry Winter talks to Stevie G

An interview with Steven Gerrard by Henry Winter for the Telegraph on 23rd of September 2006.

Gerrard ignores striking poverty and drives Liverpool to fresh glory

Match report from The Guardian on the Liverpool - West Ham final.

Old Cup is filled with a new draught of drama

A report from the Liverpool - West Ham FA Cup Final.

Premier League title would be Gerrard’s reward for staying loyal

By JAMIE CARRAGHER in the Daily Mail on 14 March 2014.

The Steven Gerrard saga - BBC

The latest chapter in the Steven Gerrard transfer saga as seen by the BBC in the summer of 2005.

Gerrard set to stay

by Dan Kay at Liverpool Echo on 06.07.2005

Reactions to the Gerrard saga

Let's look at the reactions of the Liverpool fans on the Net, especially YNWA.tv and RAWK where emotions ran high.

Stevie: I just couldn't leave

Steven Gerrard's interview with liverpoolfc.tv on 06.07.2005.

Gerrard cementing his place as Liverpool's greatest

Reds have got used to Steven George Gerrard creating or breaking records and setting new standards since his debut in Liverpool’s first team at the end of November, 1998.

Phil Neal exclusive: Gerrard best ever captain

lfchistory met briefly with Phil Neal. We asked him about the current state of affairs. Neal promised a detailed interview on lfchistory about his career with Liverpool in a not too distant future.

Boss shares secret to Stevie fitness

Brendan Rodgers on captain fantastic on 13th September, 2013.

Related Quotes

"Stevie is the best young player in England. He's a great talent. He has proved that in the games he has played for us. No-one is stopping him. There's a lot of talk about his injuries but if he gets his rest he's so powerful out there on the pitch. He's virtually unstoppable."

Gerard Houllier in May 2001

"He for me is brilliant and is as good as Roy Keane and Patrick Vieira in my mind. He needs to play central midfield on a regular basis and if he does do that Liverpool have a real chance of winning the title. Without him Liverpool have a disadvantage as he is the one outstanding player. All the others have a good consistency level and perform well but Gerrard is the one that makes them tick."

Jan Molby on Steven Gerrard in June 2003

"One of the things Gerard recently reminded me of is that during that first meeting I told him he wouldn't have to worry about finding a world class midfielder.

I told him there was a young player in our youth team who would be world class within two years. We all know how good Steven Gerrard is now!"

Peter Robinson May 2001

"Gerrard is so powerful and strong, he gives the ball so well, he can attack, he can defend and he can score. He is a really key man for England and a big, big loss for them.

I'm a big fan of his. I really like him as a player and I think he can be one of the best players, a truly fantastic player."

Patrick Vieira May 2002

"You could see very quickly he was something special and he had talent. I first saw him at an Academy game where I was supposed to see other players and that's where I spotted him and asked him to come with us. He was too young at the time but I decided to have him here. He was different class.

Houllier on Gerrard in May 2001

"The manager has always said that I would captain Liverpool Football Club one day but it was a bit of a shock yesterday when Gerard told me I was to be captain from now on. I have to say I'm absolutely thrilled. I was captain of my school side and I used to go along to Anfield to watch the team and I always looked up to people like John Barnes who captained the team during the 90s. I used to watch Barnes with the captains armband and dream that one day it would be me captaining the team I love.

- I want to blossom into a world class player, something I'm not yet - and hopefully captaining Liverpool will help me achieve that ambition. -

I'd just like to say that I'm delighted to be captain of Liverpool Football Club and I'm thrilled to be representing the fans on the pitch. Hopefully I can lift a trophy this season to say thanks for all the support from fans everywhere."

Gerrard takes over the captaincy from Sami Hyypia on October 15th 2003

"Steven has leadership qualities which I spotted early in his career. He needed time to mature, and now at 23 I think he is ready. There has been a maturity in his game and his personality. I have decided to move the armband to Steven and he will lead the side tonight and in the future.

But I have considered a number of issues. Firstly, I think Stevie has certain leadership qualities which I spotted very early in his career. When he was young, all he needed was time to mature. Now he is 23 and he is ready. There has been a maturing in his game and his personality."

Houllier announces his decision to make Gerrard captain

"I’ve known him since we were 11 when we started together at the Liverpool academy. I used to be a foot taller than him but he towers over me now. He has suffered some growing pains as a result but he has played over 40 games this season and deservedly been voted PFA Young Player of the Year."

Owen in 2001 on Stevie G

"It means the world for me to play for this club. I would sign for the rest of my career if Liverpool want me to."

Steven Gerrard

"Nobby Stiles once told me that he thought Steven Gerrard was the nearest thing to Duncan Edwards and that is a tremendous compliment for a player. His all-action displays constantly put pressure on the opposition and he must be the best midfielder in the world at present."

Tommy Smith in February 2004

"Gerrard has become the most influential player in England, bar none. To me, Gerrard is Keane; he is now where Keane was when Roy came to us in 1994. I've watched him quite a lot, and everywhere the ball is, he seems to be there. He's got that unbelievable engine, desire, determination. Anyone would take Gerrard.

Not that Vieira lacks anything, but I think that Gerrard does more for his team than Vieira does. Vieira has done that job for Arsenal for two or three years. But you can see Gerrard rising and rising."

Alex Ferguson in May 2004

"The arrival of Morientes does not mean the departure of Steven Gerrard. I have said many times that I do not want to sell Gerrard, it is that simple. Sometimes people talk, talk, talk but really we do not want to sell, and I have talked to Steven and he knows exactly the situation."

Rafa in January 2005

"We are preparing a special weightlifting plan for Gerrard's shoulders because we want him to lift a lot of trophies for Liverpool in the next few years! I am not in favour of selling him and we are building a great team around him because we want him to be the skipper who wins the most titles in Liverpool's history."

Rafa about Stevie G in June 2005

"I renew my deal with Liverpool in four or five years and when I do I would like Stevie to be my next coach, assistant manager and maybe even the next manager after me. He can even have the chief scout position if he wants it."

Rafa on 04.07.2005 about Stevie G

"I just feel the club deserve the next five to ten years of my career and I don't want to give them years to any other club, I want to give them to Liverpool."

Gerrard on 06.07.2005

"I've gone on record about this before and I'll say it again, Steven Gerrard is possibly the finest midfielder player ever to play for Liverpool Football Club.

He is so influential. I'd definitely put him in the same bracket as Graeme Souness. Everyone knows how great a player Graeme was and it just goes to show how highly I rate Gerrard. They are different types of players with different strengths. Stevie can get up and down the pitch, whereas Graeme couldn't! But, seriously, I'd put them on a par in terms of greatness.

Gerrard has virtually carried Liverpool for the past two years and it's so important for the club that he stays. Any club would want him in their side and will be a sad day if does ever decides to leave because as well as being such a great player he's also a true Scouser and a Liverpudlian through and through."

Terry McDermott in March 2005

Did Liverpool get a bit carried away with their Mickey Mouse treble in 2001 and can you remember the last time Liverpool won the title? (from a United fan)

"We won the big one last year for you, didn't we? Is it 5-2 now? I won't be here by the time United have won five! And we've won the league 18 times. So that's 5-2, 18-15. Next."

Gerrard answers readers' questions in 4-4-2 magazine in October 2005

During the penalty shootout, you knew you'd be taking the fifth penalty if Andriy Shevchenko scored. How were you feeling? Were you a bit disappointed not to have scored the final winner?

"I was absolutely s***ting my pants. Terrified. I was very, very nervous, the most nervous I've been on a football pitch. But if someone had offered me a chance to scrub my name off and not take it, I would have told them that I still wanted to take it. I was glad when Dudek saved it though. A few people asked me if I was disappointed not to have scored the winner but I didn't want all the glory and I wouldn't change anything from that night."

Gerrard answers readers' questions in 4-4-2 magazine in October 2005

"When the news came through on the TV, I nearly choked on my cornflakes."

Jamie Carragher, overjoyed at the news of Steven Gerrard's transfer U-turn

As an attacking central midfielder. To be honest, I am playing everywhere at the moment - and as I said, I don't mind. I'm just waiting for the call to go in goal now!

I suppose I could look at thing selfishly and sulk or I can be a team player and try and do a good job for everyone involved. It's a great honour to be involved in the starting eleven for Liverpool and England - and that gives me great confidence."

Gerrard asked in December 2005 what he considers to be his best position

"I slept with the cup in my hotel room. I did not want it out of my sight. When I woke up and someone took it away, I felt I had lost a part of me."

Skipper Steven Gerrard on the significance of the Champions League trophy

"The cup ended up with Stevie G in his room. His girlfriend wasn't here, so he had the cup in his bed instead."

Smicer on Gerrard's treasured possession from Istanbul

"The boss asked me if I wanted to take a penalty, I said I did and he put me on fifth. I thought "Thanks a lot, pal - my a*** was going, I was all over the place!"

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard, who was spared penalty duties thanks to Jerzy Dudek's save from Andriy Shevchenko

When I saw fans burning an old No 17 shirt by the Shankly Gates, it did my head in. Show some respect. Don't you know how this is tearing me apart?... ‘Steven, don‘t go,’ Dad begged. ‘But, dad, look at the TV, fans are burning my shirt at Anfield. The club aren't stopping them, Liverpool don't want me any more.’... I stared at the rolling news through flowing tears. I was suffocated by stress. My energy had gone, lost during all those frustrating trips in and out of Benítez‘ office. My head was banging. I was eating paracetamol like Smarties... It was the lowest point of my career. I broke down. Panic breakdown, complete mess... Could I hand in that Liverpool armband? Could I look the father I adore in the eye again? Could I really put on a Chelsea shirt and face Liverpool in front of the Kop?... No. No. No. I couldn‘t jump over the edge of the cliff. I could see the great possibilities of Chelsea, but my heart wouldn't let me leave Liverpool. Finally, my mind was made up. I‘d walked through the storm. At eleven p.m., I called Struan. ‘Tell Rick I want to sign, ’ I told him. ‘I want to stay. ’ Struan contacted Rick. ‘Is that offer still available?’ ‘Yes‘.‘Stevie will sign it.’ Thank God it was over. My heart stopped racing and I relaxed. I put the paracetamol away. I awoke on the morning of Wednesday 6 July with a smile on my face for the first time in weeks.

Steven Gerrard reveals his anguish as he considered leaving Anfield for Chelsea

"He is the most important player that Liverpool have and could be the most important player England has. In my opinion he is the most complete midfield player in Europe. If you look at attacking midfield players with Zidane and Ronaldinho and if you look at defensive midfield players like Makelele, creative midfield players with the passing of Beckham. He can do it all. For me he is the most complete midfield player in the world."

John Barnes on Steven Gerrard

"There is nothing that this lad cannot do. He can run, he can pass, he can cross and, boy, he can shoot. He's such a clever player, with an instinctive understanding of the game.

When you get to know him, he's bright and humorous and he lives for the game. He's a thoroughly good professional. On the pitch, he provokes chances. He's aggressive, wins the ball, and creates forward movement by working hard and forcing the issue by driving at defenders at speed. He's a hell of a player, one of the best in the world."

Jamie Redknapp on Steven Gerrard in September 2006

"An excellent player, in my opinion, he is a modern player because he is a player who runs, marks, knows how to pass, cross, score goals and he is a leader on the field for Liverpool. So he is a player that I would like to have in my team."

Brazilian genius Kaka on Steven Gerrard in 2007

"To be honest I knew it was going to be great but after spending five minutes looking at the plans I was just completely blown away by it. It's amazing and the best thing about it, I think, is that it's so different to any other. We will have our own identity stamped all over this stadium and that's how it should be. We are Liverpool Football Club, we expect the best and this will be the best. I've played in some special stadiums but this is something special and it's so important that we are not seen to be copy off another club. The fact that a massive Kop stand will be incorporated into the new stadium is great. As a supporter myself, I know what to look for in a stadium and I'm sure all our fans are going to love it. We all know the level of noise 40,000 Liverpudlians can make at Anfield so I can't even begin to describe what 60,000 plus can do inside the new stadium. It's going to be unbelievable and I can't wait to lead the team out there. The prospect of this was one of the major factors in me signing a long-term deal with the club and I just hope I'm still around when the day comes for us to play our first game in it."

Steven Gerrard on the new Anfield plans presented in the summer of 2007 after the USA takeover

"Towards the end of the game, when they started singing it, I was standing next to Steven Gerrard and I was actually singing it along with them. They had a corner and I was standing next to him and I was just singing. He was just looking at me like I was a weirdo."

The Havant and Waterlooville skipper broke out in song, joining the Kop in a rendition of You'll Never Walk Alone, when playing Liverpool at Anfield.

"I know it sounds hollow talking about dreams and prizes when footballers earn all the money we do, but the things I've got at home, the medals and memorabilia, they mean more to me than extra noughts in my bank account. Lifting the Champions League trophy above my head as the captain of my team, it's something that lives with you forever. People have this image of footballers now, driving flash cars, leading incredible lifestyles, having all that glamour. But there are sacrifices too, big ones through all your young life if you want any chance of making it. Behind the glitz I've had to give a hell of a lot of blood and sweat over the years, some tears as well. When you get that trophy above your head, and you get that feeling in your head, that buzz, that sense of being alive, then it is all worth it, believe me."

"I whispered to Robbie that I could picture perfectly the days I stood on the Kop, and literally got carried 20 or 30 yards as the crowd surged forward when he scored a goal. God it was incredible. I would watch the likes of Ian Rush and Aldo, then as I got older John Barnes, Jamie Redknapp and Robbie, and hope and pray and dream like mad that it would be me one day. I never even bothered dreaming that I would ever be captain - that would be too mad - just that I would set foot out on that pitch, just the once. And d'ya know what, even now, I can't put into words what it feels like to be living that dream."

Gerrard on what it meant to him winning the Champions League and to be Liverpool's captain in April 2007

Even after five years with Rafa, I still feel I want to please him, that I want to impress him in every game I play. The great managers are like that. There are a handful operating on a different level and I am lucky enough to play for two of them, Benitez and Fabio Capello.

'It is when you see what they put in, some of the little things they spot, that you realise how hard they work. Rafa will make a point, and you’ll be thinking, "Has this guy not got a life?" because it seems so minor, but it is what sets him apart. 'I can have a good game – tell you what, I’ll be big-headed, say I’ve had a fantastic game – we’ve won 2-1 in the last minute and I’ve scored both.

'I come back into the dressing-room and I’m buzzing, bouncing off the walls, thinking "I feel good today", that is when Rafa comes up and starts talking about a throw-in when they changed the play and I pressed far too late. He’ll say: "If you want, we’ll go out there and I’ll show you". Or you’ll have a run of 10 games when you’re in form and flying and he’ll pop you a DVD of your recent play and it’s broken up into sections good and bad. And you’re thinking, "Hang on, bad? I didn’t do anything wrong". But you’ll watch it and you’re out of position in one match, or you pressed late or you let a man go at a set-piece. You wonder when the guy sleeps.

'At first when he did things like that, I’d be asking, "Has he not watched my last 150 games for Liverpool?" There is a danger that you think he has it in for you because he pulls you so much. 'When he arrived, he would keep saying to me "Left foot, left foot" or I’d shoot and he would say "hit the target" and I’m thinking, "Look, mate, I’m trying to hit the f***ing target". 'I would say to people "I'm 26 – if he doesn’t think my left foot’s working now, it’s never going to work" but then a few weeks later I scored with my left and he came up with a little smile and said "lucky goal today, left foot and it hit the target" and then the penny dropped. 'Finally, I realised it was the way he helped push you on and as a player you either recognised it or fought it and, with these guys, if you fight it there is only one winner.

Gerrard on Rafa in September 2009

Scrapbook
442 - December 2009
442 - December 2009
LFC Official Matchday Magazine interview 2000/01
LFC Official Matchday Magazine interview 2000/01
Our kid! - Matchday Magazine September 2000
Our kid! - Matchday Magazine September 2000
Players of the year - LFC Official Matchday Magazine
Players of the year - LFC Official Matchday Magazine
Spotlight on a 12-year-old Gerrard 6 March 1993
Spotlight on a 12-year-old Gerrard 6 March 1993
The class of 96
The class of 96
The game I remember - 8 December 1998
The game I remember - 8 December 1998
The young pretender - 1998/99
The young pretender - 1998/99
Tough talking! - Matchday Magazine January 2002
Tough talking! - Matchday Magazine January 2002
World Soccer 2005
World Soccer 2005
Other Clubs
Club Season Club rank League apps League goals Total apps Total goals
LA Galaxy 2015-2016 USA 1 13 2 17 2
LA Galaxy 2016-2017 USA 1 21 3 22 3
Total 34 5 39 5