Steven Gerrard obituary.

Former England and Liverpool captain.

The Liverpool and England captain Steven Gerrard has died at the age of 34, he
was a predominant midfielder in his twenty year playing career both for club
and country. While enduring success as a player, the auspicious prospect of
becoming a football coach was impermanent.
A leader, a man for the big occasion Gerrard was an all round footballer, he was
noteworthy of winning games in alluring fashion and being a dependent driving
force in his acclaimed career. Steven has represented one club for the longevity
of his playing spell and grew to be a compelled hero.
His determination was thus one of the key skills to becoming an Anfield regular.
Through that he became Liverpools top European goal scorer and penalty taker.
Whilst surpassing success at club level he also made the most international caps
with 114 for England.
He has enjoyed major success with a long list of club and individual honors,
starting with winning an FA Cup in 2001 to achieving emphatic victory in the
Champions League in 2005. After becoming captain in 2003, it was evident that
leadership qualities were his focus and his reward was picking up the 2006
Ballon dOr Bronze award. He was also awarded an MBE in the same year
following his match efforts during the Champions League final 19 months prior.
Born in Whiston, Merseyside, Gerrard was a home -bred player. He quickly
progressed in his early years by making it into the Liverpool academy at the
tender age of nine. Before graduating to the first team, then aged fourteen he had
various trials at different clubs including rivals Manchester United. A
professional contract was finally signed in 1997, a year before making his
Liverpool debut under Gerard Houllier.
Although a new prospect was exciting for the fans, Gerrard was swarmed with
injuries at his peak, suffering with groin and nagging back problems. Despite an
intense recovery period he made fifty starts in all competitions the following
season and secured his first taste of success winning the FA Cup, League Cup and
UEFA Super Cup.
Gerrard made 700 appearances for Liverpool in all competitions, and lifted the
Premier League trophy after an agonizing wait on the 25th anniversary of the
Hillsborough tragedy. Steven was personally affected by the tragedy as his
cousin Jon-Paul was sadly killed.
Although Steven never managed to fulfill his coaching career, the Steven Gerrard
foundation will carry on in his memory. The midfielder was heavily charity
orientated, visiting poorly children at Alder Hey hospital, and also raising money
for Children In Need.

As Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers honors the role of keeping the captains
spirit alive, he gave these words.
Everyone knows his history at the club, what a player he has been. I got to see
his talent every day, I loved working with Steven Gerrard, I enjoyed every
minute. I just wish it had continued.
Steven Gerrard his survived by his wife Alex Gerrard and their three children;
Lilly, Lexi and Lourdes.