Steven Gerrard Bio Send To Friend  

Despite coming within hours of leaving Liverpool - twice - Steve Gerrard remains the talismanic figure which drives the club. An absolute colossus in the centre of the park, Gerrard's tireless running, superb vision on the ball and ability to strike from distance have made him one of the best midfielders in the world. Gerrard has limitless energy, has a great eye for a final pass and is a prolific scorer for a midfielder.

The Liverpool-born academy graduate is already a legend at Anfield but in the summer 2005 he was just hours away from completing a £32m move to Chelsea, before protests by the Reds fans changed his mind. It was the second summer in a row the midfielder had been forced to consider his future, with both Chelsea and Real Madrid circling.

Despite winning the Champions League in 2004-05 and reaching the final in 2006-07 Gerrard's gripe is that Liverpool have failed to mount a challenge on the Premier League title. While England have also failed to push for trophies since his arrival on the scene.

He made his Liverpool debut in 1998 and claimed a midfield spot as his own during 1999-2000, placing then-captain Jamie Redknapp's future in doubt. He has since become the foundation around which managers Gerard Houllier and Rafa Benitez have built the team.

Gerrard made his international debut against Ukraine in May 2000 and travlled to Euro 2000, although he only made one appearance as a substitute. Soon after, he scored his first international goal in the famous 5-1 victory over Germany in September 2001.

That season, Gerrard scooped a quartet of trophies as he picked up winners' medals in the UEFA Cup, Worthington Cup, FA Cup and European Super Cup.

In October 2003, the midfielder was handed the Liverpool captaincy and the responsibility transformed the player's performances from top class to the brink of world class.

He began to make his mark internationally and was a regular starter in Euro 2004, scoring once - against Switzerland - before England were eliminated by Portugal in the quarter-finals on penalties. He participated in his first World Cup in 2006 but, despite scoring twice, was criticised for his failure to dovetail with Frank Lampard in midfield.

His crowning glory came in 2005-06 when he was named the Man of the Match as Liverpool amazingly came from 3-0 down to beat AC Milan in the Champions League final on penalties.

During the 2007-08 season the transfer rumours died down as he signed a contract extension until 2011, reportedly making him the highest paid British player in the league, but despite netting 21 goals Liverpool ended the season without a trophy.

One of the best in the business, he was caught up in controversy when he was involved in a bar brawl around Christmas 2008, but was found not-guilty of affray and avoided any disciplinery action - going on to win the FWA Footballer of the Year at the end of the season and extending his contract until 2013.

Made England captain and vice-captain for a spell under Capello, Gerrard is the first name on the teamsheet for club and country and is seen as one of the best, if not the best, attacking midfielders in the world.