Steven George Gerrard, MBE (pronounced /ˈdʒɛrɑ:d/; born 30 May 1980), is an English footballer who plays for English Premier League club Liverpool and the England national team. He played much of his career in a central midfield role, however since the arrival of Fernando Torres he has been used mainly as a second striker for Liverpool[3] and 2006 as a winger for England.
Gerrard, who has spent his entire career at Anfield, made his debut in 1998 and cemented his place in the first team in the 2000-01 season, succeeding Sami Hyypiä as Liverpool team captain in 2003. His honours include two FA Cup wins, two League Cup wins, a UEFA Cup win and a UEFA Champions League win in 2005. As of 13 May 2009, Gerrard is also the current holder of the Football Writers' Association Footballer of the Year award.
Gerrard made his international debut in 2000, and represented England in the UEFA European Championships in 2000 and 2004 as well as the 2006 FIFA World Cup, where he was the team's top goalscorer with two goals.
Gerrard placed second in the 100 Players Who Shook The Kop, a Liverpool F.C. fan poll
International career
Gerrard made his international debut against Ukraine on 31 May 2000.[45] That summer, he was called up for Euro 2000, making only one appearance as a substitute in a 1–0 win over Germany before England were eliminated in the group stage.[46][47] Gerrard scored his first international goal in a 5–1 victory over Germany in a 2002 World Cup qualifier in September 2001, and while England qualified, Gerrard was forced to pull out of the squad due to his ongoing groin problems.[48]
He was a regular starter in Euro 2004, scoring once - against Switzerland - before England were eliminated by Portugal in the quarter-finals on penalties.[49] He participated in his first World Cup in 2006 and scored a team-leading two goals, both in the group stage, against Trinidad & Tobago and Sweden, though his spot kick was one of three saved by goalkeeper Ricardo as England again bowed out to Portugal in the quarter-finals on penalties.[50]
Gerrard was made vice-captain of the England team by coach Steve McClaren,[51] and while he filled in for John Terry as captain, England suffered back-to-back losses to Russia and Croatia that ended their Euro 2008 qualifying hopes.[52] After new coach Fabio Capello took over the team in early 2008, Gerrard was given a trial run as captain but Capello settled on Terry for the role.[53][54] Gerrard was subsequently replaced as England vice-captain by Rio Ferdinand
No comments:
Post a Comment