Steven Gerrard inducted into Premier League Hall of Fame
By Tom Gott
Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard has joined the illustrious list of former stars in the Premier League Hall of Fame.
Gerrard enjoyed 17 years at the heart of Liverpool's midfield, racking up 120 goals and 92 assists in 504 league appearances for the Reds, joining Jamie Carragher as one of just two players to play 500 games for Liverpool in the competition.
Passionate and committed, Red through-and-through, and a midfielder who perfected the art of the long-range strike
— Premier League (@premierleague) May 20, 2021
? Steven Gerrard is inducted to the #PLHallOfFame pic.twitter.com/cIwUwyrP56
Widely remembered as one of the best midfielders of his generation, Gerrard has now been given the credit he deserves with a spot in the Premier League's Hall of Fame.
Alongside fellow midfielders Frank Lampard and Roy Keane, Gerrard joins Alan Shearer, Thierry Henry, Eric Cantona and Dennis Bergkamp in the Hall of Fame, with one more inductee coming up later on Thursday.
Brought through the youth setup at Liverpool, Gerrard was handed his senior debut in November 1998, and after an undoubtedly shaky start to life in the big leagues, he quickly found himself playing a starring role for the Reds.
Then-manager Gerard Houllier handed Gerrard the captain's armband in 2003, taking over from defender Sami Hyppia as the leader of the team at the age of 23.
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— Liverpool FC (@LFC) May 20, 2021
? Steven Gerrard deservedly takes his place in the #PLHallOfFame ?
So proud of you, Stevie ? pic.twitter.com/QM10M8Tmlp
It was a controversial decision, but one which soon paid off as Gerrard transformed Liverpool into a dominant force in both England and Europe.
One of Gerrard's finest moments came in the famous 2005 Champions League final, in which his Liverpool side clawed their way back from 3-0 down to snatch the trophy away from Italian giants AC Milan.
Gerrard's performance in the second half of that game is widely remembered as one of the greatest the competition has ever seen, and his spot in Anfield folklore was sealed forever.
After rejecting a move to Chelsea in favour of battling for more success with his boyhood side, Gerrard continued to perform at the highest level, becoming a mainstay at the heart of both Liverpool and England's midfield.
He remained with the Reds until 2015, after which he wound down his career with LA Galaxy and turned to management, leading Rangers to glory in the 2020/21 campaign.