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Liverpool football club have seen many ups and downs in the last two decades. They have seen their fierce rivals win league titles while they have failed to secure a single one, they have seen many of their top players like Michael Owen, Xabi Alonso, Fernando Torres and Luis Suarez leave them for other clubs in search of success and even then, amidst all this, they have managed to win numerous trophies including the prestigious Champions League.But one man stayed with Liverpool through the thick and thin, one man stayed with Liverpool even when they were no longer among Europe’s elites, one man stayed with Liverpool by turning down clubs like Chelsea, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich where he could have won even more titles, one man has always carried the club on his back and now he completes eleven years as Liverpool’s captain. He is more than a captain; he is a leader of men. He is none other than Steven George Gerrard.Gerrard has been Liverpool’s saviour on numerous occasions, most recently this season he converted an injury time penalty against Ludogorets to give Liverpool the win and then during the Merseyside derby he scored a brilliant free kick which then out Liverpool ahead. These moments are nothing in front of some of his other performances which have lifted many people off their seats and have left several mouths wide open in awe.Here is a look at the Top 5 moments of Gerrard’s career as Liverpool’s captain where he led the team from the front.
#1 You Beauty! - Liverpool vs Olympiakos (2004)
Gerrard scoring against Olympiacos
Liverpool went into the final group stage game of the 2004-05 Champions League needing to win by a margin of two goals or more to qualify for the knockout stage of the competition.
Things didn't go as planned for Liverpool as Olympiakos scored against the run of play to take the lead at Anfield through a free kick by Rivaldo.
A below par Liverpool side still managed to put two goals into the back of the Olympiakos net and were struggling to find a third to keep them in the competition.
In the 86th minute Neil Mellor headed down a ball into the path of Steven Gerrard who was lurking outside the penalty box. Gerrard drove a first touch low volley into the Olympiakos net which made commentator Andy Gray, who was a former Evertonian, produce a memorable commentary to go with the goal.
#2 The Miracle of Istanbul Liverpool vs AC Milan (2005)
Gerrard with the Champions League Trophy in 2005
Gerrard's goal against Olympiakos had sent Liverpool through to the knockout stages of the Champions League and the side from Merseyside eventually managed to reach the final that season, where they played the mighty AC Milan side featuring players like Shevchenko, Crespo, Maldini, Pirlo, Cafu, Kaka and many more.
Liverpool got off to a really bad start after conceding a goal in the very first minute of the game. Things went from bad to worse for them as Milan scored two more before the half-time break.
All seemed lost for Liverpool who had already lost Harry Kewell to injury in the first half, but eight minutes into the second half, the world witnessed one of the best ever comebacks in sporting history.
It was that man again – Steven Gerrard who started it all. Gerrard made a run into the Milan box and connected with his head onto a cross from John Arne Riise to pull one back for Liverpool.
Liverpool still had a lot of work to do and Gerrard put his arms up in the air in an attempt to motivate his teammates and the fans.
Two minutes later Liverpool scored again through Vladamir Smicer who had come on as a substitute for the injured Kewell.
Three minutes after Smicer's goal Gerrard was fouled inside the penalty box when he was put through on goal resulting in a penalty for Liverpool. Xabi Alonso missed from the spot, but put the rebound in to draw Liverpool level against all odds.
Liverpool eventually went on to win the game on penalties and Steven Gerrard deservedly lifted the Champions League.
#3 The Gerrard Final Liverpool vs West Ham (2006)
Gerrard scoring against West Ham in the final of the FA Cup
A year after Gerrard's heroics against AC Milan, Liverpool were playing West Ham United in the final of the FA Cup and Gerrard was out to prove that his romance with finals are not over.
West Ham took a two goal lead within the first half an hour of the game, leaving Liverpool to chase the game. Liverpool pulled one back before half time through Djibril Cisse.
Liverpool equalized through Steven Gerrard early in the second half only for West Ham to restore the lead few minutes later. Gerrard was struggling with cramps by the time the game had reached injury time in the second half with Liverpool still needing a goal to take the game to extra time.
Cometh the hour, cometh the man. The ball fell to Steven Gerrard after a poor clearance and the Liverpool captain hit a first time shot from 35 yards past a hapless Shaka Hislop.
The game eventually went to penalties and Gerrard scored his from the spot as Liverpool won the game.
#4 The Italian Job Liverpool vs Napoli (2010)
Gerrard celebrates after scoring against Napoli
This game was one of the very few good memories from Liverpool's most forgettable season in the recent past, their season under Roy Hodgson.
Liverpool were playing Italian side Napoli at home in a Europe League encounter back in 2010. The Italians took the lead against Liverpool through Ezequiel Lavezzi and went into the half-time break with the lead intact.
The only player left from the Liverpool side who started the game is Glen Johnson and this is a slight indication of the quality of the team and their performance.
Gerrard came on as a second half substitute as Liverpool searched for an equalizing goal.
In the 75th minute Gerrard latched on to a back pass by former Liverpool man Andrea Dossena after challenging Morgan De Sanctis and put in the back of the net. He then converted from the spot in the 87th minute after Glen Johnson had won Liverpool a penalty and 2 minutes later he finished calmly after getting the ball from a Lucas Leiva tackle. Gerrard completed a 15 minute hat-trick and saved Liverpool's blushes again.
#5 The King of Merseyside Liverpool vs Everton (2012)
My City, My game – Gerrard during the game against Everton
Liverpool's last season under Kenny Dalglish saw Liverpool win the league cup, but they struggled in the league.
They Merseyside Derby was Liverpool's next game in the fixture list and the Reds went into the match with three consecutive league defeats and with just two wins in eleven matches. A good result was essential as both the clubs were set to play in the FA Cup semi-final later on.
The game was special for Gerrard as it was his 400th League game for Liverpool. The captain led from the front as he completed a hat-trick and the first hat-trick in the Merseyside Derby since 1935!
Liverpool also went on to win the FA Cup semi-final against Everton 2-1.
