**Steven Gerrard was born in Whiston, Merseyside. He started playing for his local team, Whiston Juniors, where he attracted the attention of Liverpool scouts.**
He joined the Reds’ academy in 1989 but he was not given a youth team training contract and, at the age of 14, he had trials with other clus, including Manchester United.
Gerrard eventually signed his first professional deal with the Reds in November 1997, and within 12 months, he had made his first appearance for the first-team.
Gerrard came on as a substitute against Blackburn Rovers to make his senior debut in November 1998 and, following Paul Ince’s exit at the end of the season, the youngster began to start games on a regular basis.
The midfielder played alongside captain Jamie Redknapp during the 1999/2000 season, although back and groin injuries restricted his game time.
Despite those setbacks, he came into his own during the 2000/01 campaign, scoring 10 times in 50 appearances as Liverpool won a treble of cups (the FA Cup, the League Cup and the UEFA Cup).
The Benitez years and Champions League triumph
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Before the appointment of Rafael Benitez in 2004, Gerrard was heavily linked with a move to Chelsea. He ultimately decided to remain at Anfield and it proved to be the correct decision.
Now captain, the scouser guided his home town club to winning their fifth European Cup, scoring crucial goals against Olympiakos in the group stage and in the final versus AC Milan to secure the Champions League.
Even after winning in Istanbul, there was more speculation about a transfer to Chelsea but Gerrard finally put the rumours to bed by signing a new contract.
His relationship with Benitez was frosty but the Spaniard got the best out him, deploying him in an advanced midfield position. He scored 16 goals in 31 games as the Reds narrowly missed out on the title in 2009.
Later years and Retirement
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The early 2010s were a difficult period for the club but Gerrard stayed loyal. He had one final chance to win the Premier League in 2014.
Now under the management of Brendan Rodgers, the Northern Irishman used Gerrard as a deep-lying playmaker, utilising his outstanding passing range.
Unfortunately, a slip by Gerrard against Chelsea saw the Reds concede and lose 1-0, surrendering their advantage at the top of the table in the process. It proved crucial as the Merseysiders lost the league to Manchester City.
The midfielder stayed for one more season before moving to MLS side LA Galaxy in the summer of 2015. Within 16 months, he had announced his retirement from professional football, ending an illustrious career.
Gerrard’s career achievements
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* He won 9 major honours as a player, including the Champions League, the UEFA Cup, two FA Cups, three League Cups, one Community Shield and one UEFA Super Cup.
* Gerrard was given the PFA Player of the Year award in 2006 and was also named the Football Writers Association Footballer of the Year in 2009.
* He was nominated fpr the PFA Team of the Year on 8 separate occasions (2000/01, 2003/04, 2004/05, 2005/06, 2006/07, 2007/08, 2008/09 and 2013/14)
* Gerrard was inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame in 2021.