Steven Gerrard
Steven Gerrard Bio
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BIRTHPLACE WHISTON (10km FROM LIVERPOOL)
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DATE OF BIRTH 30 MAY 1980
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HEIGHT 186cm
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WEIGHT 79kg
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SHIRT NUMBER 17 (LIVERPOOL)
(ENGLAND)
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POTISION MIDFIELDER
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SIGNED ON 1 AUGUST 1998
Gerrard is one of the brightest prospects in England and made his Liverpool debut in a European tie during the 1998/99 season against Celta Vigo at Anfield.
Progressed from the Liverpool Academy and made thirteen appearances for the Reds during that season with his finest moment undoubtedly being in the Merseyside derby against Everton when he cleared a Danny Cadamarteri shot off the line.
Claimed a midfield spot as his own during 1999/2000, placing captain Jamie Redknapp's future in doubt. Is a very versatile player and filled the right-back slot on a number of occasions during the 2000/01 season.
Highly rated by Gerard Houllier, Kevin Keegan and Alex Ferguson, Gerrard looks to have a bright future as a central midfielder in the mould of Roy Keane.
Gerrard seems to have limitless energy in the engine room of Houllier's side and during the course of the 2000/01 season chipped in with his fair share of goals - usually blistering long-range strikes.
Only negative side of him is his vulnerability to injury, which has prevented him making more of an impact on the international scene.
Made his England debut against Ukraine on May 31, 2000 and on the same day was named in Kevin Keegan's Euro 2000 squad. He was one of the few successes of the dire campaign, when he came on as a substitute to hold the midfield against Germany.
Fought against injury to be fit for England's 2-1 World Cup qualifying victory against Finland in March. Gerrard put in a robust performance in the centre of midfield where he was later asked to man-mark Liverpool teammate and the Finns' dangerman Jari Litmanen.
Has become a regular in England's competitive matches and scored England's second goal in the historic 5-1 demolition of Germany in September 2001.
His injury problems have failed to go away, however, and he was forced to give up his place in England's squad for the 2002 World Cup in order to have surgery. That would allow him to be fit for the start of the 2002/03 campaign.
Gerrard, who picked up winners' medals in the UEFA Cup, Worthington Cup, FA Cup and European Super Cup in 2001, had played 138 games, scoring 15 goals, by this time.

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