This weekend’s game against Crystal Palace will mark Steven Gerrard’s last in a Liverpool shirt at Anfield. Despite us having little to play for, it will be a special occasion for all involved as we bid farewell to a legendary figure.
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So as we prepare ourselves for what promises to be an incredibly emotional occasion, we look back at Gerrard’s ten most memorable moments for us. Read through our countdown below…
10) First goal
Despite making his debut in 1998, Gerrard had to wait for over a year to score his first Liverpool goal. It came in December 1999 against Sheffield Wednesday, in typical Gerrard style. A bursting run from the halfway line saw him collect the ball on the edge of the area before slotting it past the keeper. The Reds won the game 4-1.
9) First Merseyside derby
Back in April, Gerrard played in his first Merseyside derby. While he didn’t score, he did make a couple of crucial interventions – clearing off the line twice as the Reds hung on to a 3-2 win over neighbours Everton. Robbie Fowler scored twice and Patrick Berger scored the other for us. Olivier Dacourt and Francis Jeffers netted for the visitors.
8) Being made captain
Gerrard was made captain by Gerard Houllier in 2003, taking over from long-standing Anfield favourite, Sami Hyypia. It was a significant moment for the club as the armband was returned to both an Englishman and a Scouser. The No. 8 has since captained us more than any other player; the undisputed leader on and off the pitch.
7) Hat-trick against Everton
On the ten year anniversary of David Moyes’ arrival at Everton, Gerrard gave him a derby nightmare to remember. Our captain became the first player to score a hat-trick in this fixture since 1982, as he marked his 400th Premier League appearance in style. Jay Spearing and Jordan Henderson played alongside him in midfield.
6) Scoring against Alaves
Gerrard bagged the second of Liverpool’s five goals in one of the most memorable UEFA Cup finals of all time. The Reds led 2-0 and 3-1 before eventually winning the game 5-4 after extra time, completing our treble in the process. Gerrard played the full 120 minutes, while Markus Babbel, Gary McAllister and Robbie Fowler also scored.
5) United goals and kissing the camera
Gerrard soon made a habit of his trademark celebration when Liverpool played Manchester United. It started back in 2009, when he followed up his penalty by running to the corner flag and kissing the television camera. The Reds won the game 4-1 and he’s since repeated the trick on several occasions, including during last season’s victories.
4) The Manchester City team-talk
The Reds had just beaten their Premier League title rivals 3-2 and gone top of the league. But rather than revel in his team’s victory, Gerrard instantly grouped the rest of the team together and gave them a team-talk they would never forgive. “This does not slip,” he cried. “We go Norwich and do exactly the same!”
3) FA Cup Final, 2006
The game that will forever be known as ‘The Gerrard Final’. His 35-yard shot in the dying seconds of stoppage time secured a 3-3 draw with West Ham United and took the match into extra time, with the Reds eventually winning on penalties. Gerrard also scored our second goal of the game and netted in the shootout itself.
2) That goal against Olympiacos
The Reds might never have won a fifth Champions League final. We could have gone out of the competition in December. Needing to win by two clear goals to progress beyond the group stage, the Reds were trailing 1-0 heading into the second-half. Florent Sinama-Pongolle and Neil Mellor put us ahead before Gerrard got the third.
1) Champions League Final, 2005
Very few Liverpool fans will need this story to be retold. With the Reds trailing 3-0 at half-time, it was Gerrard who inspired the comeback in Istanbul. He scored the first and drove the team forward, winning the penalty for the equaliser, which was subsequently converted by Xabi Alonso at the second attempt. Simply incredible!
