Suffering the embarassment of playing in the Europa League for the first time since winning the UEFA Cup, Liverpool went to Romania to face Unirea Urziceni for a place in the last 16. The Reds duly beat the Romanian champions 3-1 but not without an early goal scare by Unirea. Steven Gerrard scored a goalpoacher type goal and became the highest scoring Englishman in Europe since Alan Shearer. Shearer's record of 32 goals in Europe now belongs to Liverpool's great captain, Steven Gerrard who now has 33 goals to date.
Here's a look back at some of the crucial Gerrard goals over his European adventure with Liverpool.
Here's a look back at some of the crucial Gerrard goals over his European adventure with Liverpool.
1. The cry "oh you beauty!" was coined from this truly awesome strike against Olympiakos to go through to the last 16 of the 2004/2005 Champions League. Just when Liverpool needed a goal to come back from the dead, Gerrard delivered as he always does.
2. The miracle of Istanbul...need we say more? That headed goal from Gerrard set Liverpool on the way to an improbable recovery. And it was Gerrard who won the penalty which Alonso scored to force extratime. The rest as they say, is Champions League folklore. Didi Hamann may have stopped the AC Milan midfield but it was Gerrard who provided the drive, inspiration and self-believe to win that night.
3. Gerrard scored the second goal in the 2001 UEFA Cup Final against Alaves in that amazing 5-4 victory of a remarkable treble winning season.
These are other club records held by Gerrard,
- First player to score in five successive European matches
- Equalled the club record of scoring seven Champions League goals in one season
- First player to score in four successive European matches at Anfield
- Most capped Liverpool player
Steven Gerrard, quite simply, is the best midfielder that England has produced. No other player has been near as inspirational as Gerrard has been all throughout his career in Liverpool. Ranked no.2 in the poll 100 players who shook the Kop, he is the best Liverpool captain ever.
Back to the Europa League, Liverpool now face French club Lille in the last 16 and should be able to make it to the semi finals at least.
Europa League Last-16 draw
Back to the Europa League, Liverpool now face French club Lille in the last 16 and should be able to make it to the semi finals at least.
Europa League Last-16 draw
- Juventus v Fulham
- Atlético Madrid v Sporting Lisbon
- Valencia v Werder Bremen
- Hamburg v Anderlecht
- Benfica v Marseille
- Lille v Liverpool
- Panathinaikos v Standard Liege
- Rubin Kazan v Wolfsburg
2 comments:
Despite all the hype Steven Gerrard gets he is NOT the best midfield player in the Premier League. A good player he may be, a great player he is not.
Even a cursory glance at the stats will show you that Frank Lampard is the superior player in every aspect of play - scores more goals, makes more assists, more successful passes, more successful tackles.
He also has more international goals from less appearances. And, despite the 'miracle of Istanbul', and the rather fortunate FA Cup win against West Ham, Frank's won a lot more trophies too.
Yet the English media and public continue to 'big' Gerrard up at every opportunity, and the suckers continue to fall for it.
But nobody carries a team like Gerrard does at Liverpool. For that aspect alone and for making things tick in midfield, he gets my vote as the best midfielder in the Premier League.
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