I remember watching a game in 2009 and suddenly the thought hitting me; Gerrard will have to retire one day. There will be a time when Liverpool play and hes not wearing the shirt. It scared the shit out of me.
I absolutely adore the man and always will, what a player. I think he has suffered slightly among our fanbase due to all the shit at the club during the hicks/gillet era. I remember that time being full of conspiracy theories; stevie and carra determined to get rafa sacked, was he undermining the boss, should he speak out against the owners etc. It just wasnt a very fun time to follow us, 08/09 aside, and i think people alwas resented us being labeled a one man team. So much so that in an attempt to defend the manager and our other players his input was questioned, stats about our results while he was out began emerging and instead of focusing on his unreal performances in those two cup finals people desperately pointed out that the man of the match for each occasion should have been Hamann and Sissoko respectively. Its daft when you look back at it, especially considering how fun it is supporting us at the moment, but I do believe that was the type of mentality that leads to people still sniping at him now.
As a player I dont think we will ever see another steven gerrard. He had absolutely everything, he really did. Our go to man that everyone in the world would want in their team. Hard as nails, skillful, quick, had an unreal engine, could tackle hard, always fancied him on a one on one or from the penalty spot, always gave 100%, could head the ball, take a freekick, fill in in defense, hit 30 yard screamers...the list goes on and on. The most complete player i have personally been around to witness. He will always be my absolute hero for teaching me as a 12 year old boy watching the european cup final that absolutely anything is possible with sheer belief and determination, and that you should never ever give up. I still get choked up watching anything to do with that night in istanbul. Just finished the sky closing montage with In My Life and welled up. Can anyone remember the one with Heroes playing? Cant seem to find it. Think it would push me over the edge.
Personal memories...well my first liverpool game was against middlesborough a few nights before the chelsea semi final where he smashed in that unreal 30 yarder. My first away watching him score late on vs Villa and thinking i was a hard man as a gangly 14 year old giving the v's to their fans on the coach on the way out. Any time watching him lead us out of the tunnel and knowing the armband was being worn by a worthy leader. Kissing the camera at old trafford. Of course there were lows, i didnt think anything could hurt as much as a lost champions league final but the end of the 13/14 season still stings. I dont think i'll ever get over that one but i also wont forget his sheer will and determination playing a massive part in getting us to compete in the first place. The fucking balls on the bloke with the pressure pens he stuck away that season.
Im rambling on and on and i could do all night. Like many others im sure next time im at the pub il be boring everyone talking about his career. What a guy and i hope he comes back soon. But then hes probably earned a year or two on the golf course.
