“You always
remember your first. But no one ever talks about their last. The last time you
lace up your boots. The last time you walk out the tunnel. The last time you
celebrate with your fans. I’ve always given everything. Every season. Every
game. Every minute. I’ll do that one last time.”
It’s a day that everyone knew was coming. But no one quite
knew how to prepare for it. Of course there was the traditional celebration
planned - the guard of honour, enormous banners, colossal posters, strategic
synchronization of placards, etc. But nothing could give justice when it came
to commemorating the career of a staunch superstar.
Nothing could come even remotely close.
After 17 years, 708 games, 185 goals and 10 trophies,
Steven Gerrard was set to make his 354th and final Anfield appearance. Tears
would flow. Emotions would flare. And of course, a crucial link between
Liverpool and its past would be severed. A link so priceless that even the Koh-I-Noor
diamond seemed insignificant in front of it.
As the players lined up in the tunnel before the match,
one couldn’t help but notice that there wasn’t a speck of emotion on Gerrard’s
face. The intensity in his eyes looked the same as any other week. Those eyes
locked tightly on the wall in front and the mind tearing apart the game plan
for the match. Whether it was an inconsequential Premier League match or the
second leg of the Champions League semifinal, the vigour in those eyes never
diminished.
Only today was the last time ever.
Today was Gerrard’s day. It was a day when the whole
world would acknowledge his immense contributions to the club where he grew up
to be a legend. But that surely did not mean that a compromise was in store
when it came to beating Crystal Palace. Work came first. The club came first.
As always!
Both teams, sans Gerrard, made their way out to the
field. Good ol’ Stevie stayed behind. Not because he wanted to, but because he
was told to. He takes this time to click some final photos with his daughters
in front of the Liverpool badge. Perhaps the last time at Anfield the girls
would see their Dad in the full red suit of armour.
So red that it was hard to tell whether the colour was
from the dye or from his heart bleeding.
Day in and day out Gerrard has bled the kind of red that
epitomizes Liverpool Football Club and all that it stands for. You cut his
veins and you won’t find the conventional red. You’ll find Liverpool red. The
kind of red that radiates the essence of love and endearment towards the fans,
the club and the game itself!
The announcer finally says those two magical words that send
the crowd in frenzy. “Steven Gerrard!”
Gerrard walks down the steps amidst roars of applause and while walking out
touches the “This is Anfield” sign - a momentous gesture that means the world
to him. Something he does every time he walks out. Something that has been ingrained
in him like a flashy black tattoo on white skin!
Only today was the last time ever.
For close to two decades Gerrard has been a wizard living
among less-blessed mortals. True that his final season in the Premier League
hasn’t been one to remember him by, but
the Kop knows that he needs to be “judged” for the blood he’s shed for 17 years
rather than just a couple of unfortunate seasons.
There have been numerous instances when it was Gerrard’s
sheer tenacity to not accept defeat that lifted the Reds from the abyss of annihilation
to the pinnacles of prestige. Olympiakos, Istanbul, West Ham to name a few! But
instances like the infamous slip that cost Liverpool the Premier League title
and the red card after just 38 seconds against Manchester United nonetheless
have really dented his image.
Meanwhile, Gerrard walks out to the Anfield turf amid a
guard of honour. Only last week was he giving one to champions Chelsea at
Stamford Bridge. It must feel awkward to him to change sides in just a week’s
time. His youngest daughter, in his arms, covers her ears with both hands to shield
herself from the deafening roar that engulfs the stadium. A roar so loud that
it would even give the mighty Super Bowl the blushes!
The fans always have something or the other to cheer about
when it comes to Steven Gerrard. They always appreciate the precision that he
demonstrates with his passing. They always applaud the aggression that he
exhibits when playing rivals. They go ballistic when he scores those incredible
screamers. And they always have found a suitable reason to make their captain
courageous feel special.
Only today was the last time ever.
Gerrard’s life can be looked upon as a constant struggle
to overcome obstacles and being prepared for whatever strange bounces life
threw his way. He might not have been an emperor at Anfield, but during his
time there he truly proved that he was without shadow of a doubt worthy of
being called one.
He belongs to a rare clan of footballers who have proved
that, despite the impediments, they have what it takes to get the job done. He
has proved that not only does he thrive at every challenge thrown his way but
that those challenges made him better than if he had never faced any adversity
at all.
As the game progressed, nearly after 30 minutes of play, Adam
Lallana’s eyes scanned the whole stadium. He knew what he was looking for; it’s
just that he couldn’t find it. The ex-Southampton winger had just scored
Liverpool’s opening goal and was now looking for Gerrard to celebrate it with.
Probably doing his bit to honour a legend from whom he draws inspiration. Gerrard
couldn’t be more jubilant.
For years Anfield has seen the influx and exodus of
footballers who have played with Gerrard and have celebrated goals together. They
know that he is never shy to celebrate a goal. He’s never under the pressure to
think about the consequences of an erratic celebration. The camera-kiss at Old
Trafford created quite a stir, but who cares. He’s always the first to
celebrate with his teammates at Anfield.
Only today was the last time ever.
Gerrard might not be the greatest ever Red to have graced
the footballing fraternity. But there truly was no one more passionate than
him. He could have abandoned us for another team just for the sake of laurels
and glory. But just like a true gentleman who never deserts her lady, Stevie
chose otherwise.
When it came to hunger towards playing the game, there
was no one better than him. When it came to undying dedication towards the
club, there was no one better than him. Steven Gerrard was the heart of the
team. He was the glue that held everything together. Things made sense when he
was on the field. A match was never over until it was over when he was on the
field. No one counted us out when he was on the field and no one, no matter how
big, dared to write us off when he was on the field.
Things at Anfield will never be the same because Gerrard will
never walk that tunnel again. Things abroad will never be the same because
Gerrard will never deliver us from doom again. Things in the dressing room will
never be the same because Gerrard will never give a pep talk again. Things at
Melwood will never be the same because Gerrard will never train there again.
And lastly, but most importantly, it’s sad to come to terms with the fact that things at Liverpool Football Club will never be ‘Red’ going further because Steven Gerrard will never bleed his heart out for us again!
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