STEVIE: I WANT TO OUTDO ISTANBUL

NEWS STORY
STEVIE: I WANT TO OUTDO ISTANBUL Jimmy Rice 25 November 2008

For Kopites of a certain generation, the miracle of Istanbul is our finest hour - a night which could never be bettered. Three down at half-time against an AC Milan side containing Kaka and Paolo Maldini. There was simply no way back.

Until, that is, Steven Gerrard inspired the greatest comeback football had ever seen. Six of the most bizarre minutes in sporting history brought the Reds level before Jerzy Dudek's penalty heroics secured our fifth European Cup. For the players involved, just as for the fans watching from the stands or at home, it was the greatest night of their footballing lives - something they'd be asked about everywhere they went for the rest of their days. No one more so than Gerrard, whose glittering career will always be best remembered for what he did on May 25, 2005. Or so some might believe.

For now, three and a half years later, the Huyton-born midfielder has spoken of his determination to retire having equalled - or even bettered - the seemingly impossible achievement of Istanbul. "I've got a drive and a hunger to match Istanbul, if not beat it," said Gerrard, who is poised to return from injury for Wednesday's penultimate Champions League group game with Marseille.

"Obviously Istanbul was mine and the club's finest hour for a long time. But I don't just want to milk that final. I think I'd have regrets if I didn't win anything else."

Gerrard's list of honours includes two FA Cup triumphs, two League Cup successes and a UEFA Cup winners' medal. All that's missing is the Premier League, but with Liverpool currently joint top of the table, many are predicting the hole in Gerrard's medal collection could soon be filled. "I can understand why people are saying it," added the club captain. "We've gone 2-0 down a couple of times, we haven't given up, and we've managed to turn games around. So they're saying we've got title credentials.

"It's nice, but it raises expectations. It's important to stay humble. We know we're a good team, we know we're getting closer to a title challenge – we can say that. But we've got to prove we can stay in the race till the end."

Liverpool will qualify for the last 16 of the Champions League should they avoid defeat to Marseille, who lie third in the French Ligue 1 following Sunday's 2-2 draw with Lille. "Liverpool belong in Europe," Gerrard said. "Yes, you have to earn the right to be in it, but our history, the number of cups we've won in Europe, it's our stage, it's where we want to be.

"We see how successful the club have been. Players before our generation delivered, and fans expect the same of us today."