The joke went viral on Monday – Steven Gerrard’s heat map during the game against old rivals Manchester United went from the touchline to the middle of the pitch and stopped there. Why? Because he was only on the field for 48 seconds! As a half-time substitute for Adam Lallana, who was largely anonymous in the first half, Gerrard played arguably the most disappointing game of his whole career after being sent off for stamping on United midfielder Ander Herrera.
Gerrard apologized to his teammates and fans afterwards, who were stunned by the incident, but it won’t go down well with the Kopites. You can almost imagine how difficult it will be to recall this game in his next autobiography. Sadly, this will certainly be his last North West Derby as Liverpool’s captain is heading to the USA’s Major League at the end of the season.
Gerrard is without doubt the most iconic figure in Liverpool during the Premier League era and a loyal successor to Kenny Dalglish, but in his entire career he has never been honored as “the King of Anfield” – even when he lifted the Champions League trophy back in 2005. One’s impression of Gerrard has always been of a boy who would do crazy things in the most heated circumstances. During his career, Gerrard has been sent off seven times while representing Liverpool – twice in the Merseyside derby, twice against Manchester United and once in the final minute of a crucial season-ending match against Chelsea in 2003, with Champions League qualification at stake, and the chance slipped away.
We cannot deny his glorious contribution to Liverpool since his debut against Blackburn in 1998/99, but Gerrard’s last two seasons at Liverpool have been disappointing, with his slip last year costing them the title and now the red card that may ends Liverpool’s top four dream. With several key players injured or suspended, the Reds’ top four hopes don’t look good at all with a five point gap to close on United once again.
