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When Liverpool announced that Steven Gerrard would be leaving at the end of the season, it was a moment that every Red had been dreading for a very long time. Since his appointment as captain in 2003, Gerrard has put in some unbelievable performances and shown just why he is one of the most influential captains in the modern era.His departure will be a huge void that Brendan Rodgers will have to fill, not just on the pitch, but also in the dressing room as the Reds will be without their inspirational leader. So let us take a step back and look at five of his greatest performances in a Liverpool shirt:
#5 Manchester United\'s nemesis (Liverpool vs Manchester United, March 2001)
Not many players can claim to enjoy playing against Manchester United. But Steven Gerrard is one of those rare players who did. Whether it was kissing the camera after scoring a penalty against United in 2009 or scoring two penalties last season to give his side a 3-0 win, Gerrard has enjoyed plenty of good times against the Red Devils.
In fact, only Aston Villa and Everton have conceded more goals from Gerrard than United's nine. While there are plenty of memorable goals and moments during his career, one stands out above all else.
Liverpool were looking to do the double over the Red Devils for the first time in 22 years and Gerrard gave them the perfect start as he scored the opener against United. When Robbie Fowler set him up from about 30 yards, Gerrard let fly an unstoppable rising pile-driver that went into the back of the net and sent the Reds on their way to their most successful calendar year in their history as they won five trophies in 2001.
However, when you think about it, it all began with a midfield masterclass from Gerrard as the Reds beat United 2-0 at Anfield.
#4 Hat-trick hero in the Merseyside derby (Liverpool vs Everton, March 2012)
Although Merseyside derbies are no longer contests that decide trophies or League titles, they are still fiercely contested clashes. Goals in the derby are cherished by both sets of supporters and irrespective of what happens in the rest of the season, a derby win is the most important. So when Everton came visiting looking for an elusive win at Anfield on the 10th anniversary of their manager David Moyes, the only thing the Reds wanted to do was to ensure that the Scot had a day to forget.
And that is precisely what happened as Steven Gerrard scored a hat-trick to seal a comfortable 3-0 win for the Reds. The way he smartly lifted the ball over Tim Howard to score the first goal, you wouldn't have thought that he hadn't scored in his last seven games for both club and country.
His second was a typical Gerrard shot that went in in front of the Kop end and his third was a simple finish that ensured that he became the first player since Ian Rush to score a hat-trick in the Merseyside derby since 1982 and leapfrog Robbie Fowler as the leading goal scorer in Premier League Merseyside derbies.
#3 The game that sent the Reds on their way (Liverpool vs Olympiakos, December 2004)
Everybody remembers the final of the 2005 Champions League which Liverpool won, but a lot of them also vividly remember how they got there. With just seven points from their opening five games, the Reds were on the brink of elimination from the Champions League and had to beat Olympiakos by two goals in order to go through to the knock-out stages. And when Rivaldo scored with a sublime free kick, it looked as though it was going to be a long night for the Reds.
However, two second-half goals from Sinama Pongolle and Neil Mellor gave the Reds a chance. They still needed one more goal and time was running out. And just when it looked as though they were down and out, up stepped their Captain Fantastic to score from 25 yards and ensure that the side went through.
It was a goal and a performance that sparked wild celebrations from the Kop and one that will go down as one of the greatest European nights at Anfield.
#2 Miracle of Istanbul (Liverpool vs AC Milan, May 2005)
The stage was set and all Liverpool had to do was beat AC Milan and they would have their fifth European Cup. But the Italians came right out of the blocks and at half-time, AC Milan were leading 3-0. Few would have predicted what was to come next.
Yet, Gerrard kept on believing that his side could do the job and it is safe to say that the Reds' second half performance went down in the record books as one of the greatest comebacks of all-time.
Once Gerrard scored with a brilliant header on the 54th minute to reduce the deficit, there was a growing belief inside the ground that the Reds could come back from the dead. After another goal within two minutes, all they needed was one more goal to draw level. And that is precisely what they got when Gerrard won a penalty, which was converted by Xabi Alonso. The comeback was complete.
With no more goals in the rest of the game, it went to penalties, and buoyed by the momentum, it was the Reds who held their nerve and ended up winning the UEFA Champions League. And that was the day that Steven Gerrard's status as a cult hero was established.
#1 The Gerrard Final (Liverpool vs West Ham, May 2006)
Just a year after their greatest comeback, the Reds had to summon their ability to make a comeback once again as they took on West Ham in the 2006 FA Cup Final. The Hammers were leading 2-0 early in the first half and were on course to lift the FA Cup for the first time in over two decades. Unfortunately, nobody seemed to have told Steven Gerrard that as he put in another sensational solo performance in a game that came to be known as "The Gerrard Final."
Steven Gerrard set-up Djibril Cisse with a sublime through ball in the 32nd minute to pull one back before getting on the score sheet himself with a venomous volley to make it 2-2. And when Paul Konchesky scored to give the Hammers the lead and time was running out, it looked as though Alan Pardew's side were going to take home the Cup.
But with just moments to go, Gerrard scored from 35 yards out and beat a hapless Shaka Hislop to send the game into extra-time.
And when he scored in the shootout to give his side the lead, they held onto to win their seventh FA Cup and Gerrard's status as one of the most influential captains of the modern era was set in stone.
