Gerrard: I know what Cup means to Kopites
Steven Gerrard spoke of the strong personal bond both he and Liverpool supporters share with the FA Cup after striking a brace to sink AFC Wimbledon in the third round of the competition.
Gerrard, who won the coveted trophy in 2001 and 2006, stepped up to the plate once again on Monday night as he weighed in with two crucial strikes to settle the clash at Kingsmeadow.
The skipper opened the scoring when he charged through the opposition ranks to meet Javier Manquillo's pinpoint cross and power a header into the back of the net for 1-0.
Adebayo Akinfenwa then levelled proceedings in the 36th minute, pouncing during a frantic goalmouth scramble to prod home an equaliser and send the local supporters into rapture.
However, Gerrard had the final say as, with one trademark swing of his right boot, the midfielder sent a 20-yard free-kick up, over the wall and beyond James Shea to clinch the decisive strike.
Afterwards, the captain, who announced on Friday that he will leave the club in the summer, explained why prolonging Liverpool's stay in the competition was so important to him on the night.
"If I wasn't here playing for this team, I would probably be in the stands watching it, so I know what it means to every single supporter," Gerrard told BBC Sport following the final whistle.
"That's why I always try to give my best. I know that's not possible in every single game. But whether I'm playing AC Milan in the Champions League or Wimbledon, I'll always give it my best.
"I always enjoy the FA Cup. I grew up loving the competition. This will be my last time playing in it, so I'll try to make the most of it and try to go all the way."
While Liverpool controlled the opening exchanges of the game and struck ahead through Gerrard's header, the home side fought back into the tie and, after building pressure, hauled themselves level through Akinfenwa.
After the interval, Neal Ardley's side upped their intensity and for long spells they forced the visitors back towards their own goal as the near 5,000-capacity crowd roared their approval.
"We expected them to give us a game," said Gerrard. "That's the beauty of the FA Cup. It doesn't matter where you are in what league or how you are doing, form seems to go out of the window. It becomes a leveller.
"Fair play to them, I think their manager can be really proud of them. They were honest throughout the team and they gave us a real test."
Liverpool will now host Bolton Wanderers in the fourth round of the competition - and Gerrard has set his sights on a clinical performance in the next stage as he aims to take the Reds as far as possible in the tournament.
"We've got to take each game as it comes," said the 34-year-old. "I'm told we have Bolton at home in the next round and that will be another difficult test.
"I know Neil Lennon quite well and I know he'll set up his team [to be] very difficult to beat. We take each game as it comes."