A Legend of The Game

Yesterday Steven Gerrard announced his retirement from professional football, we all knew this day would come after he left his beloved childhood club of Liverpool for new pastures in the USA to play out the reminder of his career. There was always this hope that many of us had that after his stint in the US, Steven would return to Liverpool in limited capacity to play for the Reds one last time before he bid farewell to the footballing world but as with him, he demands perfection, firstly from himself before others and as he said in his interview with BT Sports, he felt he couldn't give his best all the time on the field and that doesn't sit well with him. He is a perfectionist, we've seen it for ourselves, everything he does, everyone he plays with knows this as well, hence he built such great respect from players world over. 

The tributes that started to pour in for him from current to former players and greats of the game since the announcement speaks volumes about the player he was. One of the worlds greatest midfielders, if not the best. Yes there will be those who will argue this as he did not win a league title in his career but with winning the league, it's down to team work and not one individual, those who know this are the players themselves, and is why they still rated him so highly and voted for him as their choice to make many teams of the year and so on. 

It's not a time to focus on negatives though, its about celebrating what Stevie did for football and what he did for Liverpool Football Club. I count myself as fortunate to witness his career from the time he debuted, till his last game for the club, yes it wasn't the best way to say goodbye but team was in a bit of turmoil at the time. He knew things would change, low and behold, 2 years later and we find ourselves fighting with the best in the land, right back up where we belong. No one will be more prouder about this than Stevie. 

There has been so many highlights in his career, that to select a few would be wrong but ones that do stand out for me personally would be. The goal he scored against Manchester United in the 2000/1 season at Anfield, it left a lot of people with their jaw on the flaw for obvious reason. 

The "oh you beauty! against Olympiakos in 2004/5 Champions League season. I like many sat watching the game, praying for a miracle (which wouldn't be the last time I did so and it delivered). The strike was superb, bottom right corner, giving the keeper no chance, but something that many don't pick up was the lovely cushioned header Neil Mellor provided for Gerrard, regardless he still had to hit it sweetly and boy he did!

THAT match, 3-0 down, starting the second half on the back foot, digging deep to fight for a way back and producing a headed goal not only to ignite the greatest comeback in footballing history but bring back belief that anything is possible. 

The goal that literally killed some people, scoring Liverpool's 3rd in a pulsating FA Cup Final in the dying minutes to send the tie into extra time. It's goal that till this day I don't understand how much force it was hit at to get in from so far out. 

His season with Fernando Torres that saw the pair become one of the most feared in the league, there was nothing they couldn't do. Gerrard brought the best out of Nando and till this day Torres admits that was the best part of his career, playing along side Stevie. 

When Suarez came in, we didn't know what we brought in and while his partnership with Sturridge was making headlines, it was Stevie who played a pivotal behind the scenes role which both will justify to their goal scoring success. 

I don't think Football will ever see a more complete footballer in the near future, while there are current greats, Gerrard brought that unique style that only he can produce. He will be missed, that is for sure, there is mermers of him taking up a role as one of the coaching staff at Liverpool which would be great, but for now we would like to salute the player he was and the legend he has become. 

YNWA Steven Gerrard

The fall of El Nino

The last weekend of the transfer window was a manic one of note. Monday itself needs new vocabulary to describe what happened. Fernando Torres, the golden boy of many and mooted as the best striker in the world when in form, hence he was loved by all and hated by the enemies because he was so good. He came from Madrid to Liverpool as the clubs most expensive signing and won our hearts before even kicking a ball by having the words "We'll Never Walk Alone" inscribed in his Atlethico Madrid captains armband. Whether or not its was a "come and get me" sign to Liverpool was irrelevant as he did make the move that summer. He quickly started breaking all sorts of records for the club and became one of the Premier Leagues more feared strikers. He had world class defenders such as Vidic quivering when they faced him so no doubt he was a prized asset to the club. Numerous transfer windows have come and gone with many clubs and Chelsea in particular making audacious bids for the striker but not only the club stating that the striker was not for sale, Fernando Torres himself stated that he wouldnt play for another English Club.

He said many a time in interviews of his love for Liverpool Football Club, the fans, the stadium and the history. Heck even at the world cup after Spains victory he was pictured with the World Cup and a Liverpool scarf so forgive us die hard supporters for feeling abit ill when he submitted a hand written transfer request after Chelsea's initial bid for him was rejected by the club. As the Club felt them and the player had a mutual understanding that neither of them were going to split. As heart sore as it is to hear your most loved player wanted out from your team, the club did the right thing to hold out for the £50 million.

Now many ask me why do I hate the player I once loved and sang songs about? Simple really. Firstly the lies, if you dont feel so passionately about the club, then why go on record to say a week prior to handing in a transfer request that you look forward to your future at the club? Then theres the timing that pissed everyone off. 3 days before the window closes. The reasons he stated in the request shown that he hasnt thought about this now and has been habouring these feelings for a while so why wait till the end? Fine he wants to win trophies but if he really did love the club he would have told them when the window opened, so it gave us a chance to find a suitable replacement and plan for the future, not give us 3 days of grief fighting for the right price from Chelsea then making hasty decisions in the market! As they say whats done is done, and one thing is for sure Fernando Torres is no longer Liverpool's number 9, he could have left the club in a dignified manner and still let us hold him in high self esteem but he tarnished his image with us and doubt he could ever redeem what he has done.

Liverpool with Kenny Dalglish were quick bring in replacements in the form of Luis Suarez and Newcastle's goal scoring giant Andy Carroll, both combined fetched a total off £58 million but in essence really good investments. People say Carroll was over priced but with the new rules as stated in a previous post, it makes perfect sense. Theres no denying the lad's qualities of goal scoring, holding the ball up and essentially a good target man, the thing that pushed his value up is the fact he is English, so despite him being injured it didnt affect the price. He can only go on to great things from here. Luis Suarez on the other hand, the most hated player from the World Cup but no doubt a deadly finisher, his goal average for Ajax is staggering let alone his assist percentage. With these two upfront we potentially could have the most lethal strike force in the EPL. Its just a matter of time since we see it in action. Then in a few months we could find ourselves saying "Torres Who?"

"Andy Carroll, Liverpools number 9"