Steven Gerrard: My Liverpool Story (29 page)

Reaching two Finals and winning one trophy did not mask our league position, but it wasn’t the worst season either. Liverpool is about winning silverware. It was important to return to that standard. What the decision to dismiss Kenny shows is that the Americans are not afraid of making big calls, good or bad. It shows they care about Liverpool. Now we have to see if it works.

“I think Kenny deserved more time, but football is a cut-throat business.”

Slide Rule

This was my first start back after my groin operation and the infection that slowed my rehabilitation. I’d made a few cameos before that, easing my way back in, but I have to thank Kenny for having the faith to pitch me in against Manchester United. It went better than I expected in the main and I scored a free-kick in front of the Kop before United equalised.

The celebration was to show once and for all there were no ill-effects on my groins after the surgery. Being honest, the doctors probably winced when they saw me doing that.

Behold the Joy on Kenny’s Face

It is sad the way Kenny’s reign ended at the end of last season, but it hasn’t changed how I look at him or what I feel for him. I don’t think his departure will change the way too many Liverpool fans regard him either. Whether he is the manager or not, he is still an icon; someone who has given his life for Liverpool. The look on his face sums up perfectly his love for the club. Every time we scored a goal, you saw his celebration: arms in the air, beaming smile. People who have that kind of passion are very hard to find.

Joe Hart Tries to Psyche Me Out . . .

The semi-final of the Carling Cup last season pitted us against Manchester City and twice I found myself up against Joe Hart from the spot. You know the banter is coming. Joe’s saying: ‘I know where you are going to put it, you’re going to miss this, the pressure is too big for you.’ I’m just trying to stay focused and not get taken in by it all. I’m a little bit too long in the tooth to fall for those tactics.

. . . It Doesn’t Work

As I have said, these days I pick my spot and stick to it. If the goalkeeper makes a save I will accept it and step forward the next time Liverpool get a penalty rather than rushing to the back of the queue. Twice in the space of a week, I found the back of the net against Joe and that was the best way to keep him quiet.

You could see during England’s Euro 2012 shoot-out with Italy in the quarter-final that he was trying to psyche the Italians out of it as well. Make no mistake, Joe will be the best goalkeeper in the world one day. And when I say one day, I mean one day soon. He has a great presence and is a great lad.

Signing on the Dotted Line

Liverpool have said to me that when I finally hang up my boots, which hopefully won’t be any time soon, there is an ambassadorial role waiting for me. I’m flattered and time will tell whether I go on to take up the offer. It is an option in the new contract I signed last season. I wanted two more years on top of the year I had left to run. The club offered me another 12 months, which I understand, given my age.

I could have kicked up a fuss, been hard work in the negotiations and chosen to go into the final year of my contract, but I am not that type of player. Here I’m putting pen to paper next to Damien Comolli, who was Director of FootbalI.

I signed a year extension, so my contract now runs out in the summer of 2014. Hopefully, I can prove between now and then that I am worth another one.

A Matter of Life and Death?

Like everyone in football, I was shocked to see what happened to Fabrice Muamba. He has always been a good opponent and I can remember on occasions when we played Bolton, he would man-mark me and make it a tough afternoon. I sent him a signed shirt during his recovery and I’m glad he is making such huge strides on his road to rehabilitation. What happened to him puts everything into perspective.

Close But No Cigar

Leading Liverpool back into a major final after so many years watching everyone else doing it was important for me. The Carling Cup often gets derided, but for Liverpool last season it was a massive competition, especially as we weren’t playing in Europe. Once again we made life difficult for ourselves and, collectively, I felt we tried too hard at times, although Cardiff deserve credit for the way they played. I fared no better and snatched at this shot before seeing it sail over the crossbar. There is something in Liverpool’s DNA that dictates that when we are cornered we come back fighting and usually get over the line.

Blood Runs Thicker

Facing my cousin, Anthony Gerrard, in the final was a great day for my family. I knew it would mean joy for one of us and despair for the other. I missed my penalty in the shoot-out, just like Anthony missed his. Unfortunately for him, his miss was decisive. Football is governed by small details and that day proved it. I was devastated for him because I know how hard he has worked to forge a career for himself.

I said a few words at the time – ‘Just keep your head up’ – but called him the next day to chat in more detail. I scored an own goal in a League Cup Final and watched the trophy slip through our fingers as a result, before channelling my emotions and using the experience to motivate myself. Anthony will do the same. He’s someone who meets challenges head on.

Another Trophy in the Cabinet

As I lifted the Carling Cup aloft, I felt it could be a springboard for the club. I haven’t changed my view even though the rest of the season didn’t pan out as we had expected. For many of the players at the club this was the first time they had tasted winning any silverware. It gives you the belief that you can go on and win more trophies and we came close to doing just that in the FA Cup Final against Chelsea a couple of months later. I’m certain that whole experience will stand us in good stead for the future.