Our number 8 in 30 facts
On the day Steven Gerrard penned a new Anfield deal, we bring you an at-a-glance guide to our inspirational captain.
1. Born Steven George Gerrard in Whiston on May 30, 1980, he started out with his local team, Whiston Juniors and was noticed by Liverpool's scouts at eight years of age.
2. He joined the Liverpool youth system in 1988 and on November 5, 1997 he signed his first professional contract with the club.
3. Injury to Veggard Heggem meant Gerrard made his debut as a substitute on November 29th, 1998 against Blackburn.
4. He followed that up with an appearance in the UEFA Cup against Celta Vigo, taking the place of Jamie Redknapp.
5. He scored his first senior goal on December 5 1999 during a 4-1 victory over Sheffield Wednesday.
6. In April 2001 he was named PFA Young Player of the Year.
7. Gerrard replaced Sami Hyypiä as Liverpool captain on October 15 2003 before signing a new four-year deal with the club.
8. Upon his appointment as skipper, Gerrard said: "I used to watch Barnes with the captain's armband and dream that one day it would be me captaining the team I love."
9. On December 8, 2004 Gerrard scored a stunning late goal as Liverpool came from behind to beat Olympiakos and qualify from their Champions League group. Gerrard told The Times in 2009 that this goal was his "most important", if not his "best".
10. In 2005, Gerrard came third in the voting for Ballon d'Or, given to the top player in Europe.
11. He was named Man of the Match in the 2005 Champions League final and later received the UEFA Club Footballer of the Year award
12. In April 2006, Gerrard became the first Liverpool player since John Barnes in 1988 to be voted the PFA Player of the Year.
13. When Gerrard scored twice in the 2006 FA Cup final against West Ham he became the only player to have scored in the FA Cup, League Cup, UEFA Cup and Champions League finals.
14. Gerrard scored against Arsenal on October 28 2007 as he played his 400th game for Liverpool.
15. He made his 100th appearance in European club competition for Liverpool on 10 March 2009 against Real Madrid and scored twice in a 4-0 win.
16. Three days later, Zinedine Zidane hailed Gerrard as the "World's best player". He said: "Is he the best in the world? He might not get the attention of Lionel Messi and Ronaldo but yes, I think he just might be."
17. On 22 March 2009, Gerrard scored his first ever hat-trick in the Premier League as Liverpool thrashed Aston Villa 5-0.
18. In 2010, The Guardian named Gerrard to their World XI team, which compiled the greatest footballers of all-time onto one squad.
19. Gerrard came second only to Kenny Dalglish in the 100 Players Who Shook the Kop, a Liverpool F.C. fan poll.
20. He made his International debut on 31 May 2000 vs. Ukraine.
21. And Gerrard scored his first international goal in the famous 5-1 victory over Germany in a 2002 World Cup qualifier in September 2001.
22. He was England's top scorer at the 2006 World Cup scoring twice in the group stage, against Trinidad & Tobago and Sweden.
23. And when England left for the 2010 World Cup, Gerrard was the most experienced player in the squad with 80 caps.
24. He has been nominated for the both the Ballon d'Or award and FIFA World Player of the Year on six occasions throughout his career.
25. Gerrard has made 564 appearances for Liverpool, the tenth highest in the club's history. Alan Hansen played 620 whilst Kenny Dalglish played 515.
26. And he has scored 144 goals. This puts him ninth on Liverpool's all-time goalscorers list, seven goals behind Harry Chambers.
27. On 13 May 2009, Gerrard was named as the 2009 Football Writers' Association Footballer of the Year, becoming the first Liverpool player to win the award in nineteen years.
28. After scoring the only goal in a Champions League away tie against Olympique de Marseille on 11 December, he became the first Liverpool player since John Aldridge in 1989 to score in seven consecutive games in all competitions.
29. Councillors of Knowsley voted to make Gerrard a Freeman of the Borough on 13 December 2007, and two weeks later, he was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire by The Queen in The Queen's New Year Honours List, for services to sport.
30. He received an honorary fellowship from Liverpool John Moores University on 26 July 2008 as recognition for his contribution to sport.