Steven Gerrard Biography
Position: Midfielder
Date of Birth: 30/05/1980
Height: 6' 1
Weight: 12st 6lbs
1st team games: 308
1st team goals: 53
International caps: 38
International goals: 6
Former clubs: Trainee
Birth Place: Whiston
Steven Gerrard Biography – Liverpool FC Youth Teams
The average lifetime of a player at a given club is around 4 years, after which he needs to move, either due to entering a stage of self sufficiency at that club, losing the first squad or simply wanting a new challenge or a higher salary.
There are a few exceptions and when it comes to stability and having a conservative nature, the English excel. This is how it was possible for a player like Steven Gerrard to already have so many years under his belt at Liverpool, since he started playing for the youth teams of the Reds in 1989, at 9 years of age.
His childhood years were not the most promising though, as he would rarely play for the Liverpool youth squad, having problems with late growth spurts until he was 14.
Although still considered a very talented player that could become an option for the Liverpool first squad in a few years, Stevie Gerrard was allowed to trial for various other clubs in England.
As he noted in his recent autobiography, this was to force Liverpool into offering him an YTS (Youth Training Scheme) contract. He also had an incident at home that almost stopped him from playing soccer, being close to losing a toe to a garden fork.
Finally, in 1997, at age 17, Steve Gerrard was given a professional contract from Liverpool and saw his dream come true.
Steven Gerrard Biography – Liverpool FC First Team
Although he would not get a chance to play in his first season with the senior squad, it was a good year for Stevie Gerrard in that he started to fit in the team, know his future teammates and get some tactical training. His debut was to come the next year in a match against Blackburn, as a second half substitute for Vegard Heggem.
Funnily enough his first start didn't come in an easier Premiership game, as it would have been expected, but in a tough UFEA Cup match against Spanish team Celta Vigo, in which Steve Gerrard didn’t necessarily shine out, but was a safe option in midfield.
His luck came at the expenses of teammate Jamie Redknapp's, as the latter suffered a long-term injury that will allow Gerrard to start in the following 13 matches for Liverpool and eventually win a first team place.
Even after the experienced Redknapp came back after his injury, manager Gerard Houllier found a place for both Jamie and Steven Gerrard in midfield.
Steven Gerrard Biography – The Reds' Captain
By 2004, Steven Gerrard already became an important player for Liverpool and England's national team, but his club's success was not the kind that the fans expected.
With massive changes in the squad, as well as on the bench, Gerard Houllier being replaced with Rafael Benitez, Steven Gerrard was named captain and the new coach started building the team around the powerful midfielder.
Despite being viewed as a rather defensive midfielder, a string of Steven Gerrard goals convinced everyone that he was the type of complete footballer that could play in any field position his coach would need him.
Awards and Honors
Liverpool
* 2001 European SuperCup winner (Liverpool)
* 2001 UEFA Cup winner (Liverpool)
* 2001 FA Cup winner (Liverpool)
* 2001 League Cup winner (Liverpool)
* 2003 League Cup winner (Liverpool)
* 2005 Champions League winner (Liverpool)
* 2005 League Cup Finals (Liverpool)
* 2006 FA Cup winner (Liverpool)
England
* European Championship Finals 2000,
* European Championship Finals 2004
