Liverpool captain
Houllier handed the club captaincy to Gerrard for the 2002 season, perhaps hoping that he could inspire his teammates to improve their performance, but also to compel him to take responsibility for his own indifferent disciplinary record – a tactic which apparently worked as throughout the season, he was booked only twice. His then Liverpool team mate, Michael Owen, expressed relief in his autobiography at Gerrard being named captain as it took some pressure off his own shoulders.

Gerrard was approached by Chelsea to sign for them during the summer of 2004, but he eventually chose to stay at Liverpool. It is known that he was on the brink of signing for the London club but was persuaded to stay because of his family and friends. It was also alleged in the British tabloid press that Gerrard had been the target of death threats from aggrieved Liverpool fans.[6] The arrival of new Liverpool manager Rafael Benítez also played a part in his decision.
Champions League winner
A foot injury sustained against rivals Manchester United on 20 September 2004 ruled Gerrard out of first team football until late November 2004. In the final game of that year's Champions League group stage, Gerrard scored a crucial twenty-five-yard strike against Greek team Olympiakos. Liverpool needed to win by two clear goals to progress to the last sixteen of the competition. They were 1-0 down at half-time, but grabbed two goals, before Gerrard secured their place with their third with a late strike from outside the box. He has since claimed that this was his best, if not his most important, goal for Liverpool to date.[7]

Liverpool went on to reach the 2005 Champions' League final against AC Milan in Istanbul. At half-time Liverpool had been outplayed and were 3-0 down. In the second half, Gerrard headed a goal and kick-started Liverpool's comeback. Minutes later, Vladimír Šmicer scored again for the Reds. Gerrard then won Liverpool a penalty when he was fouled by Gennaro Gattuso in the penalty area. Xabi Alonso's penalty was initially saved, but he scored from the rebound to make it 3-3.

Liverpool went on to win the match via a penalty shootout,in which Gerrard also scored, making Gerrard the second youngest captain ever to lift the European Cup (Didier Deschamps is the youngest). After the match, he gave a hint regarding his future, when he said to the press: "How can I leave after a night like this?"[8] However, by July 2005 contract negotiations broke down between Gerrard and the club. Reports stated that Gerrard was about to leave Liverpool, and Chelsea were again reported to have tabled a British record bid of thirty-two million pounds for the player. Throughout the episode, Liverpool remained insistent that they wanted Gerrard to stay, but on 5 July Gerrard stated publicly that he wished to leave.[9]

To the delight of Liverpool fans, Gerrard changed his mind the next day and pledged his future to the club.[10] He also apologised to the club's supporters and insisted that there were no get-out clauses in the new contract that he would be signing. He also offered to give up his captaincy, but was told by Rafael Benítez that it was not necessary. On the morning of 8 July, Gerrard signed a new four-year deal with Liverpool alongside teammate, Jamie Carragher.



Club Season Premiership FA Cup League Cup Europe Others Total
App Goals App Goals App Goals App Goals App Goals App Goals
Liverpool 2006-07 17 4 0 0 0 0 6 2 1 0 24 6
2005-06 32 10 6 4 1 1 12 7 2 1 53 23
2004-05 30 7 0 0 3 2 10 4 0 0 43 13
2003-04 34 4 3 0 2 0 8 2 0 0 47 6
2002-03 34 5 2 0 6 2 11 0 1 0 54 7
2001-02 28 3 2 0 0 0 15 1 0 0 45 4
2000-01 33 7 4 1 4 0 9 2 0 0 50 10
1999-00 29 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 31 1
1998-99 12 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 13 0
Total 249 39 19 5 16 5 72 18 4 1 360 68