Steven Gerrard: My Liverpool Story (19 page)

In Rafa We Trust

Rafa Benitez pushed me more than any other manager I have had in my career and, at the time he came to Liverpool, I needed that. He didn’t ever give out any credit, but he made me a better, more rounded player who could play in a variety of positions and appreciate what being a team player was all about. At times we didn’t always see eye-to-eye, and I will never forgive him for substituting me against Everton at Goodison Park in 2007. Lucas, who replaced me, earned the penalty that enabled us to win 2–1, but I felt the decision was disrespectful because I was playing well.

On the Spot

I always fancy my chances from the penalty spot. Over the years I think I have a good record. Up to the end of last season, I had taken 34 and scored 27. Five have been saved and twice I have missed the target. The key is to know exactly where you are going to put the ball. If the goalkeeper pulls off a great save then sometimes there is nothing you can do about it other than to say, ‘well done’. The worst thing is changing your mind in your run-up and that has cost me in the past. Nowdays I go for placement rather than power. But if I miss, I’ll be back ready to take the next one.

The Best Fans in Football

Having stood on the Kop as a kid, I know what the supporters think, how they feel and what they expect from someone in a red shirt. They want 100% commitment first of all and if you offer that you find they’ll support you through anything. The first time they sung my name, I was taken aback – they can’t really be singing about me, can they? It remains one of the best experiences I’ve had as a player: the fans chanting my name and being totally behind me.

Best Seat in the House

Being able to put a smile on the faces of these supporters is one of the reasons I play football. It is an amazing feeling to know that you are only ever a couple of seconds away from lighting up the stadium and transforming the mood among 40,000 fans. Supporters can feel alienated in this day and age, but I’ll always try to do as much as I can for them. If celebrating a goal in front of them makes them feel good then that is great.

He’s Giving Me Twisted Blood

There are a handful of players who I have played with or against who are on a different planet from the majority of players in the Premier League. Cristiano Ronaldo is one of them. He is a freak (I mean that as a compliment!); he is unique. He has raised the bar in terms of skill, constantly pushing himself to stay one step ahead of the defenders who gang up on him, trying to stop him. There are not many players that you genuinely worry about facing, but Ronaldo is one of them because he can win a game on his own. He showed that at Manchester United and is now doing it game in and game out at Real Madrid. I love watching him. He takes my breath away.

Precision Placement

Set-pieces have a huge part to play in the modern game and that is why getting the delivery right is so important. There is nothing more frustrating than seeing a corner hit the first defender or fly over the head of everyone in the penalty area. Having said that, you can have great delivery but if you haven’t got the players in the team who are prepared to finish the job off then that is no use either. This is where you need your team-mates to be brave. If you haven’t got players who are prepared to break their nose or their jaw, or get their face mangled, in order to smash a header into the back of the net, then there is no point in putting the ball on a sixpence.

What Will They Ask Me Next?

Dealing with the media and attending press conferences is part of a player’s job. I understand how important the media is in the modern game and I try to be as honest as I can when I am answering questions. Sometimes it has got me into trouble in the past and people have said I am too honest, but that is hardly a fault is it? The manager has a weekly press conference at Melwood in the build-up to games, and the players are asked to stop and talk to the press after matches. I am in the papers and on TV quite a lot so I tend to limit what I do during the season, but it is a responsibility I take seriously.

Losing Never Gets Any Easier

There is a common misconception about my career that it has always been on an upward curve. There have been plenty of highs, but several lows as well, which act as a kick in the stomach and never get any easier to take. I once read Ryan Giggs say that he lingers on the defeats in his career longer than the triumphs and I know what he means. Losing the FIFA Club World Championship to Brazilian side Sao Paulo 1–0 in Yokohama in 2005 was a major blow that often gets overlooked now. How we didn’t win, I don’t know. We had three goals disallowed and it felt as if the officials were against us. We would have made history had we won because no Liverpool team had ever lifted that trophy. When the moment passed by, I was left alone with my thoughts. The only consolation is that not many players get the chance to play in a game like this.

A Huge Honour

I would like to think that over the years I have proved myself to be a team player. Liverpool comes first, my team-mates come first. Individual awards, of course, are nice, the icing on the cake. To be voted PFA Players’ Player of the Year in 2006 was a great honour because it meant I had the respect of not just my team-mates, but players up and down the country. I scored 23 goals that season for Liverpool and felt as good as I have ever felt walking onto a pitch. Give me the Premier League title that season, however, and I would have gladly handed the Player of the Year trophy back.