Stevie's gr-8-est games

Steven Gerrard's appearance in Saturday's visit to Blackburn Rovers saw him notch up a landmark 500th appearance for the club. Here's our pick of his eight most defining matches in a red shirt.

PFA Player of the Year... check.
 
Football Writers' Player of the Year... check.
 
Champions League winner, UEFA Cup winner, FA Cup winner, League Cup winner... check....
 
If the teenage Steven Gerrard had dreamed up a definitive list of honours and accolades to achieve in his Liverpool career, then his personal trophy haul would already go some way to matching it.
 
Last year he celebrated a decade in the Reds' first-team and came within a whisker of landing that elusive Barclays Premier League title.
 
In fact, it wouldn't seem right if a season passed by without another Gerrard milestone and 09-10 is no different.
 
His appearance in Saturday's clash at Ewood Park saw the 29-year-old become only the 13th player to feature 500 times for Liverpool Football Club.
 
To celebrate our inspirational midfielder's induction into this elite group of players we've picked out eight of his finest performances in a red shirt.
 
Whittling down Stevie's best displays was always going to be difficult; to put it simply there have been so many man of the match performances down the years, you could argue a case for any number of breathtaking moments.
 
But here at .tv we love a challenge and after some deliberation we came up with a list we feel represents the full spectrum of Stevie's Reds career to-date.

1) EVERTON (H) April 1999 
 
It was a Merseyside derby that had almost everything. 
 
A first minute goal, a penalty, bizarre goal celebrations and the intervention of a young pretender that had overjoyed Kopites convinced the Reds did indeed have a very special talent on their hands.
 
The hustle and bustle of derby day can so often pass a teenager by, but Steven Gerrard was determined to make an impression when he replaced Vegard Heggem on 71 minutes. 
 
The best of the action had already transpired, but as Liverpool saw their lead reduced to a 3-2 scoreline, Gerrard came to the fore; twice clearing off the line to deny the Blues. 
 
In the innocence of his youth he could not disguise his delight, briefly losing himself in the moment and punching the air in triumph.
 
The pride and passion of his contribution had been more than exposed by a cheeky Scouse grin, an image supporters would grow more than accustomed to seeing in the years ahead.

2) SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY (H) December 1999

Stevie's increasing impact on Gerard Houllier's new-look Liverpool had not gone unnoticed.

The youngster's competitive edge and quality in possession had singled him out as one to watch - all that was missing was that first goal.

Cue the type of strike that would go on to be something of a trademark for him in the years that would follow.

Bursting through the middle he seized on possession before dropping a shoulder and coolly despatching a low shot into the bottom corner.

3) ARSENAL (H), December 2000

Having already established himself as one of the best central midfielders in the country, Gerrard staked his claim for the position of top dog with another commanding display against Arsene Wenger's men.

The all-action starlet had outshone Keane in Liverpool's impressive 1-0 win at Old Trafford just days earlier, and set about putting the France international in his place when the Gunners arrived at Anfield.

It took Gerrard just 11 minutes to have a major say in the outcome, latching onto Vieira's headed clearance and hitting a 25-yard drive that arrowed into the bottom left-hand corner at the Kop end.

The youngster then showed the other side of his game, helping to shackle the invention of the Arsenal midfield as Houllier's men conceded possession to their opponents before ruthlessly putting them to the sword on the counter attack.

With his job done, Gerrard received a huge ovation when he was replaced by Gary McAllister on 76 minutes. The Reds were already three goals to the good on a day they would lay downer a marker of their rising stock with a 4-0 rout of the Londoners.

4) MANCHESTER UNITED (H), March 2001

A stunning goal, a sublime assist and a major say in Liverpool's first league double over Manchester United in 22 years - not a bad day's work for Stevie G.

The chance to humble the champions in front of a baying Anfield crowd was one the Reds took to with relish, and within 15 minutes they were ahead courtesy of a Stevie special.

The midfielder capitalised on a loose ball just past the centre circle and drove infield from the right before unleashing a magnificent 30-yard strike past Fabien Barthez.

It was an incredible goal that was right out of the top drawer - but Gerrard wasn't finished there. He capped a superb display by providing a sumptuous assist for Robbie Fowler to wrap up a comfortable 2-0 triumph five minutes before the interval.

5) OLYMPIACOS (H), December 2004

The clock is ticking and your club's future in the Champions League hangs by a thread. Your side needs one more goal to secure a place in the knockout stage and all eyes within the ground are pleading at you in expectation.

The ball is worked out wide to Jamie Carragher on the left. He sends over a cross that you urge Neil Mellor to set in your direction....

Every Liverpool fan worth his salt knows the rest. One of Anfield's most famous European goals arrows into the Kop end net to send L4 into raptures and the Reds on their way to a date with destiny in Istanbul.

6) AC MILAN (n), May 2005

What can you say about Istanbul that hasn't already been said?

It's the stuff of legend, a clash that saw David conquer Goliath in the most extraordinary of circumstances.

For the Reds to overturn a 3-0 half-time deficit against the Italian aristocrats of AC Milan they needed their skipper to be at his inspirational best.

Fortunately enough - as is so often the case when it matters most - Stevie was ready to rise to the occasion.

A superb headed goal, a run that won the penalty that led to our equaliser and a heroic display at right-back in extra-time - it was another outstanding performance from our number eight.

On the anniversary of his 10th year in Liverpool's first team, Stevie summed up the miracle of Istanbul when he named it number one in Liverpoolfc.tv's countdown of his top five matches.

"There's no other game I could select than the 2005 Champions League final," he said.

"To be three goals down and come back to lift the trophy was amazing. I've seen the highlights many times since on the television and it's always brilliant to watch."

7) WEST HAM (n), May 2006

From one incredible 3-3 to another...we continue our Kop eight Stevie G performances with the penultimate match, one that has gone down in history as 'The Steven Gerrard final'.

Twelve months after they were crowned Champions of Europe, the Reds were in another showpiece final. This time it was a Millennium Stadium clash with West Ham and this time they were the favourites.

The Reds were expected to canter to victory against Alan Pardew's Hammers - but someone forgot to hand them the script.

Rafael Benitez's men were again forced to come from behind, this time fighting back from 2-0 down only to see Paul Konchesky mis-hit a cross over Pepe Reina and into the net.

Liverpool looked dead and buried. A Marathon season had taken its toll on the players and as injury-time approached they looked incapable of summoning the energy for one last surge forward.

Stevie was visibly shattered. He had run his socks off but was determined not to end the match as a loser.

Once more the ball would fall to him 30 yards from goal. Few players are capable of striking it so cleanly and even fewer on such a grand stage, at such a vital moment.

Gerrard just so happens to be one of those elite men who can, and in truly sensational fashion thumped the ball beyond Shaka Hislop to breathe new life into the Reds' hopes.

Extra-time came and went before the skipper overcame the pain of cramp to step up and set Liverpool on their way to another trophy with an expertly executed kick in the shoot-out.

8) MAN UNITED 4-1 (a), March 2009

Eight goals for, one against and two of the best teams in Europe humbled in the most comprehensive of manners.

It had all started with a brace and a starring role in a 4-0 demolition of Real Madrid; but the grand finale would prove even sweeter for the Reds captain.

United were well clear at the top of the table and looked on course for the three points when Cristiano Ronaldo fired home a 23rd minute penalty.

Kopites could have been forgiven for expecting another trip along the M62 to end in disappointment, but what transpired in the remainder of the match would go down in folklore.

Fernando Torres frightened the life out of Nemanja Vidic to pull the Reds level before Gerrard showed nerves of steel to step up and convert from the spot after he had been brought crashing to the ground by Patrice Evra.

As celebrations go, his was right up there as a moment to savour; a delighted charge to the visiting support before sealing the moment with a kiss to the camera.

It was an iconic moment and with Liverpool assuming complete control, Gerrard enjoyed one more significant contribution before Rafael Benitez had the luxury of replacing him on 90 minutes.

A typically surging run saw him capitalise on an error by the forlorn figure of Vidic, and as the United defender pulled him to the ground, there was only one outcome.

A red card and a free-kick to Liverpool 25 yards from goal, but it meant the hosts were still in with a shout after it looked odds-on Stevie would make it three.

However, Fabio Aurelio ensured justice prevailed with a sublime curler before substitute Andrea Dossena's stunning stoppage time lob rubbed salt in the Red Devils' wounds.