Steven Gerrard — Midfielder of the Decade
Continuing our look back at the last decade at Anfield, Liverpoolfc.tv can now reveal the duo you deemed the Reds’ most outstanding central midfielders of the past 10 years.
Again, thousands of votes were cast in what was arguably the category that left fans with most to consider, such has been the volume of high calibre midfielders that have donned the red jersey since the turn of the century.
In the end, however, there was one man who stood head and shoulders above his fellow contenders.
Steven Gerrard amassed a sensational 84 per cent of the total vote to leave the rest of the eight-man shortlist trailing in his wake.
Fans selected Xabi Alonso as his partner, with the midfielder collecting 10 per cent.
Dietmar Hamann (three per cent), Gary McAllister (one per cent) and Javier Mascherano (one per cent) completed the top five.
Danny Murphy, Lucas Leiva and Momo Sissoko made up the rest of the shortlist.
Gerrard began the Noughties having just broken into Gerard Houllier’s first-team set up - and in 2000-01 he continued to demonstrate the abilities that would later make him one of the finest players in world football.
Huyton’s own midfield star struck 10 goals as Liverpool completed an unprecedented cup treble, claiming the League, FA and UEFA Cups.
Gerrard was handed a starting berth on each of those showpiece occasions and he continued to prosper in 2001-02 as the Reds clinched a second place finish in the Premier League.
In 2002-03, the Scouser scored the opening goal in the League Cup final triumph over Manchester United in Cardiff and his mature performances prompted Houllier to hand the youngster the captains’ armband.
Rafa Benitez’s arrival in the summer of 2004 saw the Spaniard draft compatriot Alonso into the Reds’ ranks - and the midfielder quickly struck up an understanding with Gerrard as Liverpool marched to the Champions League final in Istanbul.
Both players were on target in the dramatic fightback against AC Milan at the Ataturk Stadium as the European Cup returned to Anfield for a fifth time.
The duo both enjoying goalscoring success in 2005-06 with Alonso netting the first of two goals from his own half with an incredible 60 yard strike against Luton Town in the FA Cup third round.
Gerrard, meanwhile, plundered 23 goals in all competitions - two of which came in a dramatic FA Cup final triumph over West Ham United in Cardiff including a quite unbelievable 35 yard volley in stoppage-time to level the scoreline at 3-3 and force extra-time.
The skipper netted in the successful penalty shootout as Benitez’s troops collected more silverware.
Alonso then found the back of the Kop end net from inside his own half against Newcastle United in September of the same year.
Liverpool reached the Champions League final in 2007, but they were unable to repeat their Istanbul heroics against Milan in Athens.
Last season, the duo were instrumental in helping the Reds mount their strongest title tilt since 1990.
Gerrard bagged 24 goals in all competitions - a personal best - including unforgettable strikes against Real Madrid and Manchester United.
Meanwhile, Alonso claimed the only goal of the game against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge as Liverpool ended the Blues’ 86 match unbeaten home run.
The Spain international departed Anfield for Real Madrid in the summer having made 210 appearances for the Reds, scoring 19 goals.
Gerrard recently made his 500th run out for the Reds and is regarded by many to be one of the very finest to have ever represented the club.
