Goodbye, Gerrard!
Steven Gerrard’s illustrious career in England comes to an end
“Cut my veins open and I bleed Liverpool red,” writes Steven Gerrard in his autobiography, Gerrard: My Autobiography.
Steven Gerrard has always had undeniable love for the English port city of Liverpool. As a youngster, Gerrard saw the Liverpool schools as “fantastic playing fields with boring buildings attached.” While middling through a thoroughly mediocre school career, the young Gerrard found his great test on the soccer pitches of Liverpool.
Every now and again, those “tests” on the soccer pitch would deviate from goal-scoring and assist-making to the odd, scrappy fight or two, with the younger Gerrard suffering the “occasional split lip from a punch [he] failed to dodge.” But, as Stevie began making strides with his football skills, Liverpool F.C. came calling. And, Liverpool would certainly not tolerate Gerrard’s outbursts or fighting.
“Standards count at Liverpool. Be tidy. Be on time.”
At the historic football club, Gerrard learned the intricate art of English football and soon began catching the eyes of the other big clubs in England: Manchester United and Arsenal. According to Gerrard, “regular offers [also came] from Crystal Palace, Manchester City, Everton, and [the Tottenham] Spurs.” But, Steven Gerrard spurned them all, for he was a Liverpool man through and through.
After rising through the ranks of the Liverpool youth academy teams, Gerrard was brought up to the first team. On November 29, 1998, Gerrard made the first of his 504 Premier League appearances against the Blackburn Rovers. Liverpool would go on to win the game and Gerrard was buoyed by his golden chance to represent his favorite team.
Wanting Steven to capitalize on his Liverpool debut, Gerrard’s father kept reminding him to not “copy those players who have played 300 games and are starting to relax. Train and play as if it’s your first ever game. Train and play as if it’s the World Cup final.”
“Learn. Never ease off.”
But, ‘the new kid on the block’ did not need to be reminded twice. Gerrard knew what lay before him: A starting position on one of English’s greatest clubs. And, if he became a regular starter for Liverpool, then the English National team would have to come calling.
Playing for England had always been one of Gerrard’s greatest ambitions (along with playing for Liverpool). And, after impressing the National team scouts during the 1999/2000 Premier League season, Gerrard gained the highly coveted call-up to the English team. Training and playing with the legends of world soccer like David Beckham, Paul Scholes, and Gary Neville was an absolute treat for Gerrard and he vowed to keep working harder to cement his spot on the national side as he had done for Liverpool.
Over the next few seasons, Gerrard continued his upwards trend for both club and country. However, the zenith of his club career (up to that point) came during the historic 2004/2005 season, during which Liverpool, led by their young captain, Steven Gerrard, faced the stacked Italian giant, AC Milan in the final of the UEFA Champions League. Gerrard’s Liverpool club was clearly the underdog going into the match since AC Milan offered the talents of the Brazilian superstar, Kaká, and the Italians, Andrea Pirlo and Paolo Maldini.
In a match that is now universally referred to as the ‘Miracle of Istanbul’, Gerrard’s Liverpool team fought back from a 3–0 deficit at halftime to tie the game at 3–3 when the final whistle rang to signal the end of the ninety minutes. During the penalty shootout, Liverpool sealed the comeback by winning 3–2.
After that historic final against AC Milan, Gerrard’s career began to decline. He suffered some nagging injuries and his England appearances were returning fruitless results. However, it was during this time frame that Gerrard, now no longer winning trophies, cemented his place amongst Liverpool’s highest pedestals. He could have certainly left the team for a Barcelona or a Real Madrid or a Chelsea even; however, he chose to stay and he served as the symbol of hope for the Liverpool faithful.
Gerrard’s sacrifice would be redeemed when the 2013/2014 version of the Liverpool team went on an unexpected and historic run in the Premier League. After a close race with Manchester City the whole Premier League season, Liverpool came in second. Gerrard played his role by dishing out 13 assists (an EPL high); however, it was not enough as Gerrard once more failed to seize English club football’s most treasured prize.
In a career lined with many great moments and some catatonic lows, Steven Gerrard has excited for Liverpool. In almost every match, Gerrard has performed with consistency and poise and, as a result, Liverpool has been able to lean on him during the team’s most arduous times.
Now as he sets out to move to Los Angeles to play for the LA Galaxy of the MLS, Gerrard leaves behind a storied and legendary career for Liverpool.
But, it’s entirely possible that this isn’t the final farewell between Gerrard and Liverpool because as Gerrard himself says, “Me and Liverpool Football Club are a love affair that will never, ever end.”
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