24th November 2016 is a day forever etched into football history. It marks the end of the road for one of the greatest midfielders to have graced the game of football. Steven Gerrard spent 17 years at his boyhood club, Liverpool, amassing 710 appearances and collected 114 international caps with England along the way.

It is impossible to imagine Liverpool over the last one and half decades without Steven Gerrard. The number of matches he won for his team is unbelievable. He was the source of inspiration and energy that drove Liverpool to many successful adventures. Even though he is no longer a part of Liverpool, his greatness lives on forever at the Anfield.

A fantastic player and leader

Gerrard was arguably the most complete midfielder in the modern game. There aren’t many players who can score goals, defend, tackle hard, pass the ball so well, head the ball with power and precision and be deadly from set pieces as well as he could. But the one quality that stands out is the drive and energy, he brought to the game. At his peak, he was unstoppable.

There are countless Steven G moments that Liverpool fans will cherish for the rest of their lives. The stunning goal against Olympiakos in the Champions League which made Andy Gray go crazy and produce one of the greatest pieces of commentary ever. It would surely be on every Liverpool fan’s playlist (In case you missed it, click here to watch). But the miracle of Istanbul will be the one, that will be the revered the most. His lovely headed goal started the most dramatic comeback that football has ever seen. Gerrard’s leadership and commitment during that match will be remembered for years to come.

Fast forward 12 months and the Superman from Merseyside delivered one of the greatest individual performances ever seen in an FA Cup final. Liverpool were trailing by a goal in stoppage time and guess who came to Liverpool’s rescue? Gerrard scored arguably the greatest goal ever seen in a cup final to add to another goal and assist in the game.

An illustrious career

During his years at Liverpool, they always depended on Gerrard to win games. And more often than not, he delivered. His performances especially against Everton and Manchester United showed what playing for Liverpool meant to him. Whenever Liverpool needed a moment of brilliance to turn the game in their favour, he was there to deliver the goods.

Although Steven Gerrard never won the Premier League with Liverpool, you can’t take away his great achievements in the game. He won 10 trophies with Liverpool which include the Champions League, FA Cup and the League Cup. He is, to date, the only footballer ever to have scored a goal in an FA Cup Final, a League Cup Final, a UEFA Cup Final and a UEFA Champions League Final, also being on the winning team on each occasion.

In 2005, Gerrard was named as the UEFA Club Footballer of the Year and won the Ballon d’Or Bronze Award. He has also been named in the PFA Team of the Year a record eight times, the UEFA Team of the Year and FIFA World XI three times, and was named PFA Players’ Player of the Year in 2006 and the FWA Footballer of the Year in 2009. Gerrard also captained England at 3 major tournaments. He was also included in the UEFA Ultimate Team of the Year featuring the best eleven players to have played in the Champions League.

Steven Gerrard, the coach?

Steven Gerrard has been an inspirational player and leader over the last one and a half decades. It only seems like a matter of time before he decides to enter the coaching setup. His influence on the youngsters would be immense. Liverpool fans would definitely want him to join the club in some capacity. It remains to be seen if Klopp takes him on board or not.

Liverpool or not, it would be a massive waste of an influential figure like Gerrard to not be part of training and coaching the players of the coming generation. He recently turned down a chance to take up the management job at MK Dons, which suggests that he maybe interested in returning to the place where he was born, Anfield.

Steven Gerrard lived the dream of many Liverpool fans. He captained the team he grew up supporting and went on to experience great moments in the famous red shirt. No matter how many years pass, the Kopites would always adore and remember Gerrard.

The banner held aloft at his final Anfield game against Crystal Palace sums up the feelings of many Liverpool fans: “The Best There Is. The Best There Was. And The Best There Will Ever Be.”