Thursday 24 November 2016 20:50, UK
Having played alongside Steven Gerrard for 15 years, Sky Sports' Jamie Carragher runs through his memories of the retired midfielder.
Carragher, who was in the Liverpool side when Gerrard made his debut in 1998, saw his team-mate rise to become one of the world's greatest midfielders, but which moments stand out?
From his first meeting with him as a youth, to Istanbul and beyond, Carragher looks back on Gerrard's career after he announced his retirement from football on Thursday.
First impressions...
I remember meeting him at a junior tournament, where I was a couple years older than Steven, and I think it may have been in Wales. I was maybe U16, and he stood out a mile at his age, you could always tell he was going to be a fantastic player at that age.
He had problems growing-wise, he used to pick up a lot of injuries and that was the only fear you had about him going to play for the first team. But deep down you always knew he would.
He turned out to be one of the best midfield players in world football.
The early years...
I remember his second game for Liverpool in 1998, he was playing in right midfield against Tottenham. I think he was up against David Ginola, and it was quite tough for him and I think he was disappointed about how it went.
But within a few days he started against Celta Vigo, we had a few injuries, and he was man of the match. He played four or five passes in that game where you were thinking: "If a seasoned professional played those passes, you'd still be saying 'wow'."
You knew straight away that he was going to be a top player.
Istanbul, 2005...
At half-time he was head in hands to start with like the rest of us, but of course being skipper he had to rally the team along with the staff. His second-half performance was inspirational, he didn't just lift the players, he lifted the fans inside the stadium. You saw his reaction when he got the first goal back.
That's what I'm sure he'll be remembered for, he carried us to the trophy. He played three different positions that night. It's very fortunate [Andriy] Shevchenko missed because he was on the next pen! But listen, there's no doubt he would have stepped up and put it away as he always did…
Favourite Gerrard moment...
I think the goal in Cardiff in 2006. With the last kick of the game, when we're about to lose an FA Cup final, he did something completely out of the ordinary, shooting from 35, 40 yards. I think if it was anyone else you'd be screaming at them not to shoot, but when it's Stevie something special will happen.
It did that day. We speak about the Istanbul performance, and I think there were a couple of other huge performers that night, but in Cardiff 12 months later, I think there was only one man who wanted to put that away and it was Steven Gerrard.
The future...
He was an inspirational figure on the pitch, we know that, and if he takes that into coaching I'm sure he would be off it too.
I don't know what 'soon' is in terms of his coaching career. Soon could be the start of next season, 18 months down the line, but he'll be getting his badges, his experiences, whether that's at Liverpool, the FA or another club.
I'm sure when he makes that plunge there will be a lot of eyes on him, so he'll want to be as prepared as he can possibly be.
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