After 17 years Liverpool's iconic leader Steven Gerrard has decided to call time on his illustrious Kop career at the end of the current season.
The number 8 made the announcement following Liverpool's disappointing home draw against struggling Leicester in which the reds were 2-0 to the good thanks to two Gerrard penalties. Despite this contribution, many Liverpool fans voiced their anger towards his overall performance. The general consensus among the criticism was that this kind of poor showing was not a one-off, and Gerrard's decline has shown for a while.
Whether this was a major factor in Gerrard's final decision is as yet unknown but one would suggest this might have been part of the tipping point. To quote a famous line "Die a hero, or live to be the villain". Gerrard's loyalty has been there for all to see and maybe leaving with the fans respect and gratitude is better than staying and playing through blind stubbornness.
Making his debut in 1998 he has gone on to achieve a level of success that many footballers can only dream of. He boasts two FA Cups, three League Cups, a then UEFA Cup and a Champions League winners medal. He has attained silverware in almost every corner in club football, apart from one, an ever elusive premier league title.
He has been close, just not close enough. Last season was the nearest he got but was also the most painful, and unfortunately for him, he was largely to blame. A costly slip against Chelsea at home gifted Jose Mourinho's side the lead eventually going onto win the game 2-0. A devastating blow, but more was to follow in the next game. From 3-0 up and well on their way to a final day hooray for the first time, the reds fell to a late comeback from Crystal Palace including a clinical Dwight Gayle double with finishing that Suarez himself would have been proud of. The writing was on the wall and the Kop's star Uruguayan's emotional breakdown after the final whistle told the world the dream was all but over. Only a miracle on the final day would ensure Gerrard and Co would finally get to put a Premier League trophy in the already well stocked cabinet. Alas, it was not to be.
But it would be very harsh on Gerrard if this was to be how he was seen by the football world on reflection, as a nearly man. Yes, it's probably the one thing he's dreamed of the most especially over the latter years, but he has achieved so much more in football that it could be seen as just a bonus in some ways.
It's not just the trophies he's won, it's his career itself. Gerrard has been a one club man his entire career and has never publicly displayed a desire to leave his boyhood club. When so many world class players move here, there and everywhere in the search of success, money and public adulation, Gerrard has proved that sticking with your beloved does have its rewards. He is adored by Liverpool fans and around the globe the football world has often shown a similar affection.
He is their most reliable servant, scoring the most vital of goals at the most vital of times in the most vital of games. How many times have his iconic long-range screamers saved his side at the death?
It's also important to remember that he has never been part of a fully world-class team. Of course there have been the likes of Fernando Torres, Xabi Alonso, Javier Mascherano and the more recent Luis Suarez, but when you compare that to the well-stocked teams such as Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea that would have a starting eleven brining with world-standard talent, Gerrard's contribution seems just that much greater and important.
The end was apparently nigh when he decided to call time on his England career after another disappointing international campaign. This is another stem of his career where he has fallen short. Although playing his part, Gerrard never could quite get a grip on contributing vital elements to the England team like he did with his club. There was never a last gasp strike from outside the box and would sometimes be compared to his better club performances than that to his country. A never-ending experiment with him and Frank Lampard in the centre of England's midfield proved tiresome and unrewarding. His fellow Englishman is however experiencing a completely different campaign himself this season after making a controversial loan move to title rivals Manchester City and is receiving plaudits from almost everyone that isn't (a bitter) Mourinho or a Chelsea fan.
Gerrard will now play out the rest of the season with Liverpool before embarking on a career in Major League Soccer, whether that will prove a success is different debate entirely but not beyond the realms of possibility.
What ever the future holds for the iconic number 8, it's safe to say he has left a legacy that will be forever remembered and held in mainly high regard.
Source: DSG
