Gerrard sets sights on title

At 500 not out there remain plenty of targets on Steven Gerrard’s radar.

The Liverpool captain made the landmark appearance at Blackburn on Saturday and, although a goalless draw meant Liverpool failed to celebrate the occasion in style, should Gerrard go on to realise what he set out to achieve in the game, he will retire a happy man.

At 29, that is some years away yet and time enough, he hopes, to land the only trophy that has eluded him during a professional career in which he has won almost everything there is to win at club level.

"It would mean everything to win the Premier League with Liverpool," he admits.

"It's frustrating not to have it already and I've come close on a couple of occasions.

"It's frustrating to be where we are in the league now because this was meant to be the year where we were going to be right up there all the way through.

"It is important for us to try and get back up to the top of the table.

"I will continue to fight for the Premier League from now until I stop playing. Hopefully I can add it to my collection because it would round a fantastic career off."

After getting his hands on two FA Cups, two League Cups. the UEFA Cup and, of course, the Champions League itself, the talismanic midfielder's ambition has not been dulled.

"As captain, the most memorable moments have always got to be when I've lifted the trophies; the FA Cup and obviously the European Cup.

"If I had to pick a best moment so far, it would be the Champions League in 2005.

"It's a difficult feeling to describe when you win wearing that red shirt, especially being a local boy and a Liverpool fan. Every time I get on the bus after a victory I feel on top of the world.

"I've still got many more ambitions and dreams that I want to fulfil before I finish.

"I have been around for 11 years and I'm getting towards 30 now, so I'm running out of time and I want to make the most of the next four or five years."

As he reflects on the thrills and spills of his first 500 games for Liverpool it's no great surprise that Gerrard singles out two where his influence was most telling.

"Some of the games I've played really well in have turned out perfectly for me.

"The second half in Istanbul worked a treat, scoring so early, making the run for the penalty and also making some important challenges at the other end too.

"That was a special game, as was the 2006 FA Cup final.

"They're the games that stand out for the supporters, but I would like to think there have been quite a few other games where I've helped the team get the victory.

"But I don't like when certain players are singled out. To win a football match you need all players involved."

His manager broke rank last week to heap praise on Gerrard. It was something of a rarity from Rafael Benitez who typically applies an all men are equal philosophy to his players.

On the even of Gerrard's 500th game for Liverpool, Benitez outlined his skipper's exceptional match-winning qualities stating he is a player who 'can win a game for you with one special moment.'

The Spaniard also highlighted Gerrard's growing maturity throughout their five years working together, something the player recognises in himself.

Gerrard said: "I think I have matured as a player.

"I don't go into stupid tackles any more or make silly decisions.

"Obviously I still make mistakes, every player does because we're human, but I would like to think I've limited the amount. Getting the captains' armband at such a young age has helped me mature into a good professional off the pitch too.

"I try to learn from my mistakes to make me a better person and player."

It was Gerard Houllier who allowed Gerrard to fulfil his childhood dream of leading Liverpool out when the Frenchman handed him the armband in October 2003.

Gerrard replaced Sami Hyypia as club captain in what he describes as a 'life changing moment'.

"To get told you are going to be captain of Liverpool at such a young age was a massive change for me," he said.

"I knew people would start looking at me differently on and off the pitch, and that has certainly happened. My performances were scrutinised even more, but becoming captain is what I had always wanted and dreamt of.

"I have to take the good and bad of being a captain, but I wouldn't change it for anything.

"Getting the armband was a career changing moment and a life changing moment too."

Gerrard is now just 15 games behind his boyhood hero Kenny Dalglish on the club's list of all-time appearances.

For some time now, people have spoken of the pair in the same breath as two of Liverpool's greatest ever players.

With his career still in full swing however, Gerrard is reluctant to accept such high praise just yet and suggests judgement should be reserved until he finally hangs up his boots.

"I don't think I am a Liverpool legend," he insists.

"You can only call players legends when they've finished and you look back on their careers and they've been successful or a top player throughout.

"A lot of people give the legendary status out too early for my liking.

"I don't see myself as a legend. I see the likes of Dalglish, Hansen and Rush as legends. They have been there and done it.

"Hopefully one day I can look back on what I've achieved and can say I'm a part of the legends at this club, but I certainly wouldn't put myself in that bracket now."

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