So then what to say about England's number 4? I better start with telling you I always hated the sight of him. He was a real pain in the arse and hail, rain or shine, you could bank on him having a blinder.
I sit back now and dispassionately analyse why that had to be the way that it was and it's simple really isn't it? It's because OUR game fired him up more than any other. And why wouldn't it? 38 titles between the undisputed top dogs of English football. It can't get any better than that.
Our game always mattered to the Liverpool FAN that he clearly was (Liverpool born, Liverpool nurtured and grown, one-club lad) - probably his lifetime's ambition was realised the minute he first pulled on the shirt and became officially a Liverpool professional employee. Imagine it if you can, getting paid to wear the shirt you loved - fecking magic eh!!
The rivalry between our two clubs is for me almost a thing of beauty (now I'm an auld arse like)
I can appreciate the build-up to our game and even enjoy the entertainment spectacle that it most often was - even when the tide flowed in LFC's favour, which I can admit it occasionally did . . .
Whenever THAT happened, HE would be in the thick of it - the bleedin' nuisance.
How can I dislike the bloke really given his credentials? Working class lad, talented, his lifetime ambition realised with his home town club (in his case the RIGHT one of the two clubs! he had options to join)
It's a Roy of the Rovers story come to life! And FFS don't anyone feckin' start asking "Who's Roy of the Rovers!"
My only regret is that he was born and grew up 38 miles away at the other end of the East Lancs - and as a result , ended up wearing the WRONG red shirt!!
27 years can't pass unmarked - I KNOW it won't be. I feel for the fella on his final home appearance. Not done the research to add up how many appearances / games that totals but his heart will be bursting with so many aspects of emotion.
For sure that emotion will drive the engine-room for one glorious final competitive time and you just know he'll shine. I really hope he does it just this one last time at Anfield.
Tarra Stevie G - as you make your final bow you will be very much missed - and not just by the fans of the club you adored lad.
. He may have been the reason we didn't win that Chelsea game but I think we would have dropped points to a Chelsea team that came to defend regardless of the slip. United and Chelsea fans especially still bring up the slip but I don't think many Pool fans would trade Istanbul for winning the league that year. Giggs has 13 premier league medals and Gerrard has zero, but I would take one steven Gerrard over the whole of class of 92.
