Steven Gerrard - Player of the Week

Gerrard at the double! 

Steven Gerrard scored twice at Wimbledon in the FA Cup to give Liverpool a 2-1 victory and send the Reds into round 4, where they will play Bolton Wanderers. Liverpool were put under a lot of pressure from Wimbledon, who play in League 2 (level 4 of English professional football) but Gerrard came to Liverpool's rescue. The captain put the Reds into an early lead with a brave header but Wimbledon equalised before half-time and there was the possibility of a giant-killing! In the second half, Wimbledon had chances but in the 62nd minute Gerrard scored a fantastic free-kick to win the game for Liverpool. It was Gerrard's second double in only five days, he also scored twice on New Year's Day, against Leicester City in the Premier League.

"Steven was outstanding. He gave a brilliant individual performance."  Brendan Rogers, Liverpool manager.

Is Gerrard leaving Liverpool?

Steven Gerrard has recently announced that this will be his last season with Liverpool. His contract expires in May and it is believed that he will sign for a club in the USA. One of the main reasons he has decided to move abroad is that he doesn't want to play against Liverpool! Gerrard has only ever played for The Reds, and has made nearly 700 appearances for the club and scored nearly 200 goals in a 17-year Premier League career.

"This has been the toughest decision of my life." Steven Gerrard.

What else do we know about Steven Gerrard?

Steven George Gerrard was born in Whiston, a village just outside Liverpool, in 1980. Gerrard joined his boyhood club when he was only 9 years old and has been at Anfield ever since. He made his debut in 1998, in the Premier League against Blackburn Rovers, and scored his first Premier League goal, in 1999, against Sheffield Wednesday. In 2000/01, Gerrard won his first trophies, as Liverpool won the FA Cup, League Cup and UEFA Cup. In 2003, Gerrard became Liverpool captain and he has been captain ever since. Possibly Gerrard's greatest moment was in 2005, when he helped Liverpool win the Champions League against AC Milan. Liverpool were losing 0-3 but came back to win the match on penalties in a match that Liverpool fans call 'The Miracle of Istanbul'.

"Steven can do anything, he is an amazing player. It's going to be very difficult for the team to find another player like him."  Mario Balotelli.

What individual awards has Gerrard won?

Gerrard has won 10 trophies with Liverpool but he has also won many awards as an individual. In 2005, Gerrard was named UEFA Club Player of the Year and he has also been named in UEFA's team of the season three times. He has been named in the PFA's (Professional Footballers Association) team of the year 8 times, more than any Premier League player and has been named Premier League player of the Month a record 6 times. Gerrard also won 114 caps for England, appeared in 3 World Cups and scored 21 goals. Only two players - Peter Shilton (129) and David Beckham (115) played for England more times. 

"Probably the best player this country has ever seen - not only as a player but as a leader and captain." Jordan Henderson, Liverpool teammate.

What has Gerrard won off the pitch?

Steven Gerrard in his role as Liverpool and England captain has had a big impact off the pitch too. In 2011, he started his own charity called the Steven Gerrard Foundation, which aims to help disadvantaged children in Liverpool and abroad and he recently donated half a million pounds to a children's hospital in Liverpool. In 2007, Gerrard was given an MBE by Queen Elizabeth II for services to sport and he has also been awarded an honorary degree by Liverpool University for his services to sport. 

What did you understand?

Did you know......?

• Only Frank Lampard has scored more goals from midfield in Premier League history than Steven Gerrard. 
• Zinidine Zidane once named Gerrard as the best player in the world.
• Gerrard has created more chances for teammates than any other Premier League player.
• No away player has scored more goals at Old Trafford than Gerrard (5) in the Premier League.
• Gerrard has scored the most goals in Merseyside Derbies (9) in Premier League history.