Steven Gerrard: The Inspiration

This week’s Europa Cup match between Liverpool and Napoli produced one of the most influential displays I have seen from a single player in many years.


The first half was dominted by Napoli, with Liverpool chasing shadows for much of the period. It wasn’t really surprising since the attacking portion of the team consisted of Ngog, Shelvey, Spearing, Poulsen, Meireles and Jovanovic: the ‘B’ team at best. The Italian team went 1-nil up after 28 minutes and bossed the entire proceedings.

At half-time Liverpool manager, Roy Hodgson, took off Jovanovic and brought on talismanic skipper Steen Gerrard. His introduction had an immediate effect: he was everywhere, chasing every loose ball; the crowd was lifted and found their voice, and his teammates were inspired and their play drastically improved.

However Liverpool still battled to find the breakthrough. With the clock winding down and only 15 minutes left, Gerrard doggedly chased down a back-pass and bravely managed to scramble the ball past goalkeeper De Sanctis and into the Napoli net. He then went on to score an incredible, emphatic 14-minute hat-trick, the third a delightful chip over De Sanctis.

Liverpool ended 3-1 winners which brought broad smiles from coach Hodgson and new owner John Henry.

Steven Gerrard: what a player, and arguably the most inspirational leader in the Premier League.