Trash Chronicles

Like every other member of the England national team, Steven Gerrard came into 2008-09 well rested after a summer spent watching his Spanish club-mates romp to victory in the European Championship. Fresh from another individually impressive yet ultimately trophyless season with Liverpool, the skipper backed up with a marvellous showing – although there were a few hiccups along the way.

The Reds kicked off their Premier League campaign in less-than-convincing fashion. However, it didn’t take Gerrard long to find his feet, as he scored a last-gasp winner in their comeback victory over Middlesbrough in August. Unfortunately, he was then forced to undergo groin surgery and wouldn’t return until the September 16 Champions League clash against Marseille, in which he scored twice – including a goal-of-the-tournament contender – to seal a 2-1 victory.

The following weekend should have marked a milestone for the Whiston-born superstar. In the midst of a frustrating home game against promoted Stoke City, he scored what would have been his 100th goal for his boyhood club – only for a dubious offside call to halt the celebrations. He would have to wait until the 3-1 CL win over PSV Eindhoven in October to officially notch his ton.

He was knocking them in on the international stage, too. Although he was forced out of the first three World Cup qualifiers with a groin problem, Gerrard lined up against Belarus and opened the scoring as England recorded 3-1 win to keep their perfect run going.

While Fabio Capello was using him on the left wing, ‘Stevie G’ spent the early part of Liverpool’s season playing predominantly in central midfield – partly to allow Javier Mascherano some much-needed rest, but also due to the arrival of big-money signing Robbie Keane. But it wasn’t until the gritty Argentine reached something like full fitness and the Irish striker fell out of favour that Gerrard hit top gear further forward.

Perhaps the Scouse superstar’s most devastating display of the season came in the Reds’ last game of 2008. He ran rampant, scoring twice and wreaking general havoc as his side slaughtered Newcastle United 5-1 at St. James’ Park – a result that cemented Liverpool's place at the top of the table at the turn of the year.


Milestone | Stevie celebrates a century of Reds goals

That high point was followed by a nadir just hours later, as Gerrard was arrested after he and his friends allegedly assaulted a DJ in a Southport pub. But although the looming court case and possibility of jail-time threatened to distract him, ‘Captain Fantastic’ went about his football with unwavering focus.

Nevertheless, the Anfield club’s form took a dive following the February international break – in which Gerrard was again conspicuous by his injury-induced absence – as they were ousted from the FA Cup and fell at Middlesbrough in only their second league loss of 2008-09. But their season was far from over, contrary to what the pundits said at the time.

It was in the Champions League that Rafa Benitez’s men rediscovered their form, Gerrard scoring twice in the second leg as he led his side to a 5-0 aggregate mauling of Real Madrid in the knockout phase. With the skipper and Fernando Torres finally able to play together for an extended stretch, the pair tore through the back-end of the season in spectacular fashion as the Reds romped into title contention.

Liverpool would fall agonisingly short in their bid to bring the Premier League crown to Merseyside for the first time, but Gerrard would not end the season entirely trophyless. In recognition of a campaign that saw him notch up 24 goals for his club, he was named the FWA Footballer of the Year – making him the first ‘Pool player to take the title since John Barnes in 1988.