Steven Gerrard: Painting the football world red - Yahoo News India

Steven Gerrard: Painting the football world red - Yahoo News India

Author : Priyanka Mehta Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard lifts the Champions League trophy after they beat AC Milan in the 2005 final in Istanbul. Steven Gerrard lifted the Champions League trophy the year before I started watching football. The night at Istanbul has gone into the history books now. And it was phenomenal. Starting out at Liverpool as a kid aged eight, Gerrard immediately caught the attention of legend and then Academy coach Steve Heighway, and made his professional debut in 1998. He came on as a substitute in the dying minutes of the match--and although he had an unremarkable debut, his life changed forever. In a few games, he would be cementing his place in the squad. Gerrard received strong mentoring from then manager G?rard Houllier. The first Merseyside derby he played in--his ninth game--saw him play as right-back. Two exceptional clearances made the young lad stand out, and the national team got interested too. A beacon In the first derby he played, Gerrard also got sent off. He later admitted that as a teenager, he tended to 'cross the line' many times: "I wanted to be a success so much that my temperament boiled over". Fortunately, the coaching staff made sure he channelised his talent more effectively.

In 2003, he was named captain of Liverpool. He was only 23. Captaincy makes many jittery; others anxious. But Gerrard reveled in it. The added responsibility was like a bounce in his stride. The pressure was a spur; he was 'Captain to the Rescue', saving the games and bringing up the players' motivation, on and off the pitch. It is no wonder that over a fifth of his Liverpool goals have been scored between the 76th and 90th minutes, often salvaging matches when the team needs it the most. Over 65% of his 168 goals across competitions have been scored in the second half, showing his responsiveness to pressure. Till date, he remains the only footballer ever to have scored in the final of an FA Cup, a League Cup, a UEFA Cup and the Champions League. A top, top player Gerrard has played in many positions throughout his footballing life. He has played as a right-back, a right-winger, a holding midfielder, a secondary striker--but the one he has shone most in is central midfield. His versatility in adapting to different roles has itself made him stand a class apart. Although he sees himself as primarily a defensive player, he has adapted into the role of goal-scorer in the temporary void left by departing strikers. His lack of pace has been more than made up by his acute vision, accurate passing and strong tackling. Coming back to Istanbul: sadly, watching the final and highlights reels many times over doesn't do justice. It must have been something for those watching it live. 3-0 down, the renewed Liverpool in the second half was a force to be reckoned with. Gerrard scored the first of the three goals, was declared Man of the Match, and lifted the shiny trophy after the team won on penalties.

Steven Gerrard during the UEFA Champions League final in 2005 "Everything to do with that game is something that will live with me for the rest of my life. (It was) the proudest day I've ever had in a football shirt by a mile," he said once. Zinedine Zidane said about him: "Is he the best in the world? He might not get the attention of Messi and Ronaldo but yes, I think he just might be." The one-club player Gerrard will be known as the quintessential one-club player. However, his past might be marred by the events of 2004 and 2005, when he seriously considered humongous offers from Chelsea. The players were aghast, the fans were outraged--and why wouldn't they be? Loyalty is a very important aspect of football, especially at Liverpool, where the fans have always vocalised their solidarity and brickbats. It was a wrenching episode, but eventually, ill feelings towards him gradually abated upon the realisation that he was staying of his own free will, and that he would give 100% to the club. That is, after all, the least one can expect from a leader. The fans do and must matter for every Liverpool player: "That's why I love playing for this football club--we have the best supporters in the world. It's the noise and passion at Anfield that gets you. The support we get all over the world is frightening." And they keep singing for him (cue the tune of Que Sera Sera): Steve Gerrard, Gerrard, He'll pass the ball forty yards. He's big and he's f***ing hard, Steve Gerrard, Gerrard. Today, Gerrard has made over 650 appearances for Liverpool. As captain, he has won all the major honours, but one. The league title has been eluding him. Will he be lucky enough to clinch a Premier League title in his Liverpool career? The chances do seem good. http://in.news.yahoo.com/steven-gerrard-painting-football-world-084928411.html