Liverpool’s success down the years may have been built on a unique blend of team spirit and teamwork but Steven Gerrard might just have a case if he ever claimed to have had the most influential personal effect on any Reds team past or present.



The Reds captain received another accolade this week with his inclusion in the UEFA team of the year and it's yet another endorsement of the mark he has made on European football after leading the Reds to the miracle of Istanbul.

In a week were his omission from the New Year's Honours List has made the headlines, this latest accolade from Europe's football hierarchy (along with Luis Garcia) might be a suitable consolation for the club and the players.

His development since making his debut as a raw 18-year-old substitute in 1998 against Blackburn Rovers might have surprised a few but no one from within the walls of Anfield.

The status he now holds within the game is enormous and certainly couldn't have been achieved without the help and guidance of all the Anfield staff but one man might come in for special thanks - Gerard Houillier.

It was Houillier who gave Steve his first break and who, perhaps more importantly, unearthed the breakthrough in finding a solution to the
hamstring and back injuries that threatened to blight the home grown prodigy.

One of the first successes of the modern Anfield Academy had to be treated with care in his early days. It was only a visit to Paris to have his wisdom teeth removed on Gerard's advice that saw the problems miraculously disappear and his progress since then has been phenomenal.

Quite rightly praised for the part he played in the Istanbul comeback, perhaps the biggest part he played in that success was actually achieved the season before when he almost single-handedly won us the coveted 4th place ensuring a place in the competition. His performance in Houllier's final Premiership game in charge against Newcastle United was, for me, one of his greatest efforts.

Scouse-bred with an inherent competitive edge, his naturalability has been interestingly nurtured under the guidance of two top European coaches. I have little doubt that the mix, influence and experience of Houllier and Benitez has produced a hybrid with outstanding qualities.

Under Houllier, I remember Stevie was introduced as a right full-back at a time when Vegard Heggem was struggling with injuries before really emerging in 1999/2000 as a midfield player. With that determined and driving style, it wasn't long before he impressed enough to break into Kevin Keegan's England set-up and by the time of the treble season, he was beginning to weigh in with a fair goal return.

Back then though, Stevie could be frustrating with his over-willingness to try and hit too many 50-yard wonder passes. They're great when they come off but too often he appeared obsessed with trying to pick out Michael Owen. There were also question marks over his temperament and the challenge on Everton's Gary Naysmith back in 2003 remains probably his biggest indiscretion.

Since then his maturity has been immense. The captaincy has given him a responsibility he thrives on and the fine-tuning of his game under Benitez has all but created the perfect midfield player.

That is why his commitment to the club in the summer was such a defining moment. Emotion was running high and the relief felt by his final decision was felt by every Liverpool supporter around the world.

Benitez has harnessed Gerrard's energy and it is now channeled more purposefully. Where once Steve was trying to do the job of almost every other player, I sense now he has clearly defined zones and his impact has been far more dramatic and his ability maximised. With the team continuing to progress and strengthen, it has allowed Stevie to concentrate more on his own game whether that is in the centre of midfield or out wide. In either position, that energy remains one of his greatest attributes and he reminds me so much of a rampaging Emlyn Hughes at his best.

Last week my old mate Ian Rush stated his admiration for Stevie, which probably got many discussing where the current captain ranks with the greats of the past. It is always difficult to compare past with the present but despite that it's fun to try.

When reflecting Liverpool's glorious past - and we have more than most - many might consider Kenny Dalglish to have been the most influential, but I go with the theory Kenny was more like the icing on the cake. Throughout his time, I feel we were lucky to have had a good number of outstanding individuals and to single him out above the likes of Hughes, Graeme Souness or John Barnes would only undermine the parts they played for the Reds.

I have my favourite all-time Liverpool eleven and it probably differs from every other Liverpool fan out there, but it's unique to me and assembled for my special reasons - including players I played with and others who inspired me as a kid. Stevie is a great current favourite and I have marveled at his abilities and goals but the best I could offer him at the moment is only a place in my
squad!

Amazingly he's still only in his mid-twenties and I think he has yet to make his greatest impact on this emerging Liverpool team under a manager who has a clear vision where he wants to take the club. Along with the club challenges he faces, he also has a huge part to play in the England team, particularly in Germany this summer. While many pin the English hopes on Wayne Rooney, I think Gerrard is as vital to their chances of success, perhaps even more so. His performance in the friendly against Argentina in November more than highlighted the influence he has in Eriksson's team and his value to the nation's hopes.

His status as an Anfield legend is guaranteed but is probably best kept under wraps until he hangs up his boots. It's then we'll all enjoy recalling his exploits of high drama and hopefully all those trophies he lifted as Liverpool captain.

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