Steven Gerrard's Biography

Steven Gerrard was born in Huyton, Liverpool on 30 May 1980.

He played with Liverpool since the start of his career as a trainee on 26 February 1988. Gerrard made his debut for Liverpool in November 1998 as a sub against Blackburn. His full debut came in the UEFA Cup against Celta Vigo.

The midfield ace has been dogged by injury problems but there is no doubting his determination and great ability. Particularly impressive are his vision that enables his accurate long passing, and his shooting accuracy from long range.

Steven Gerrard's skill has attracted praise from some unlikely quarters. In May 2004 Sir Alex Ferguson told the Sunday Times:

"He has become the most influential player in England, bar none. Not that Vieira lacks anything, but Gerrard does more."

Steven Gerrard had won with Liverpool the Worthington Cup (twice), the FA Cup and the UEFA Cup. However, he had made it known that he craved higher honours and Gerrard accomplished that when Liverpool won the Champions League.

When Liverpool beat Chelsea in the semi-finals of the Champions League in 2005, Steven Gerrard said of the forthcoming final:

"It will be the proudest moment of my career when I lead these incredible men out in Istanbul."

But Steven Gerrard was even prouder after Liverpool's incredible victory against AC Milan in the Champions League final.

A regular for England when fit, Steven Gerrard scored his first goal for his country with a typically brilliant shot in the impressive 5-1 win over Germany in September 2001.

Gerrard has regularly captained Liverpool after first being given the opportunity by Gerard Houllier in October 2003.

In November 2005, Steven Gerrard came an impressive third just behind Frank Lampard and Ronaldinho in the European Footballer of the Year - the award known as the Ballon D'Or - voted for by European football journalists selected by French magazine France Football.

Steven Gerrard was named the Professional Footballers' Association Player of the Year in 2006.

It proved to be just the start of a great end-of season for the Liverpool captain.

In May 2006, his then fiancee Alex Curran (the couple married on 16 June 2007) gave birth to Lexie, a sister for Lilly-Ella. Then, within a week, Gerrard pulled off a stupendous performance in the FA Cup Final against West Ham. The highlight was his last minute strike when suffering from cramp to level the scores in the 90 minutes at 3-3. Liverpool, captained by Steve Gerrard went on to win on penalties.

Steven Gerrard was part of England's 2006 World Cup squad, but he was not at his best and he, Frank Lampard and Jamie Carragher missed their penalties in the losing shoot-out against Portugal.

In August 2006, new national head coach Steve McClaren named Steven Gerrard as England's vice-captain.

In the New Year's Honours announced on 30 December 2006, Steven Gerrard was awarded an OBE.

In June 2007, Steven Gerrard signed a new deal with Liverpool to keep him at the club until 2011.

In February 2008, Fabio Capello, making team selections for his first game in charge of England, appointed Steven Gerrard captain for the friendly against Switzerland.

In April 2008, the BBC reported how Steven Gerrard's father, Paul Gerrard said he turned to an underworld fixer to stop a gangster from terrorising his son.

On 1 October 2008, Steven Gerrard scored his 100th goal for Liverpool with a trade-mark strike in front of The Kop against PSV in the Champions League.

In January 2009, Steven Gerrard was arrested after an altercation in the Lounge Inn on Bold Street in Southport.

However, in March 2009, the assault charge was dropped, leaving Gerrard just facing the affray charge.

On 3 April 2009, Steven Gerrard agreed a two-year contract extension with Liverpool, keeping him at the club until 2013.

On the same day, at Liverpool Crown Court, Gerrard pleaded not guilty to affray and on 24 July 2009, he was found not guilty.

On 16 May 2012, Roy Hodgson named Steven Gerrard as England's captain for the Euro 2012 tournament. England lost on penalties to Italy in the quarter-finals.

In July 2013, Steven Gerrard signed a new two-year contract with Liverpool. However, in December 2014, he announced that at the end of the contract he would leave the Club, but stated:

"I won't be playing for a competing club and will not therefore be lining up against Liverpool.

"My decision is completely based on my wish to experience something different in my career and life and I also want to make sure that I have no regrets when my playing career is eventually over."

It was later revealed that Gerrard was joining Los Angeles Galaxy in 2015.

However, on 24 November 2016, Steven Gerrard announced his retirement from playing professional football.

On 20 January 2017, it was announced that Steven Gerrard was to return to Liverpool as a youth coach.

In May 2018, it was announced that Steven Gerrard would take over as manager of Rangers in the summer.

On 11 November 2021, Steven Gerrard left Rangers to take over from Dean Smith as manager of Aston Villa.

On 21 October 2022, he was sacked by Aston Villa.