You'll have plenty to celebrate when you subscribe to the Liverpool FC newsletter Sign me up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

When Gerard Houllier named Steven Gerrard as Liverpool FC captain in October 2003, not even the Frenchman would have foreseen what would follow.

A rough diamond with a hammer of a right foot, the captaincy of his boyhood club smoothed everything. It transformed him from a promising young player into a physical embodiment of the club.

He was given the armband on October 15, ahead of the Uefa Cup home tie against Slovenian side Olimpija Ljubljana. On being named captain, Gerrard said: "I was captain of my school side and I used to go along to Anfield to watch the team. I used to watch Barnes with the captain's armband and dream that one day it would be me captaining the team I love.”

Eleven years later, he took to Instagram to speak of his pride in what he has achieved. He posted: “11 years ago today I became the captain of my boyhood team one of the proudest days of my career. It's a huge honour to captain this great club.”

To mark 11 years as Reds captain, here are 11 moments to epitomise his reign. Is he the greatest Liverpool captain of all time?

WATCH: Liverpool ECHO sports editor John Thompson on Steven Gerrard

Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will start in 8 Cancel Play now

Leading by example at Old Trafford

His first season as captain had come in a difficult season for the Reds. Locked in a battle to finish fourth with Aston Villa and Newcastle, Gerrard led his side into Old Trafford with four games to play.

Having missed a penalty in the previous game against Fulham. the midfielder atoned for his error with a magnificent performance in Manchester, being named man of the match and winning the 61st minute penalty which Danny Murphy converted.

It kept Liverpool in fourth, where they would stay for the rest of the season.

You beauty

The commentary cry of Andy Gray is well-known after Gerrard lashed home the decisive goal at Anfield, but what is largely forgotten is how despondent the ground had been 40 minutes before.

Scoring three against Olympiakos in 45 minutes seemed unlikely, with Rivaldo's late first half goal seeming like a crucial blow.

But Gerrard, along with other assorted cast members, re-wrote the script. It was Gerrard who should have scored with volley in the second half, with the scores 1-1, only for it to be ruled out by the referee.

But eventually, Gerrard had his moment.

Istanbul

Gerrard will forever be remembered for Istanbul. It was his header to give the Reds hope; it was his arms flapping towards the crowd, telling them to never stop believing.

Of all the things he did that night – the goal, winning the penalty, playing at right back – it was his demeanour afterwards that showed just how much winning the Champions League meant to him.

Voice cracked with emotion and fatigue, he looked as every Liverpool fan felt. An image as iconic as Emlyn Hughes in 1977.

Bursting bubbles

Having scored the first equalising goal at the Millennium Stadium against West Ham – a brilliant half-volley to make it 2-2 – it appeared his efforts would be in vain.

But not wanting to lose the FA Cup, and not wanting Paul Konchesky to be known as the man who destroyed the Reds' cup dreams,

With cramp seizing control of his leg after 91 minutes of running, he gave one last push, firing his right leg towards the bouncing ball and sending the game into extra time.

He would score a penalty in the eventual shoot-out. He would be captain fantastic for Liverpool – once again.

Keeping his nerve against Chelsea

As influential as ever in Liverpool's run to the Champions League final in 2007, he needed to show resolve and strength from the spot when it mattered most.

Unable to be separated after two games and 210 minutes, Liverpool and Chelsea required penalties to decide who would play in Greece. Logic would dictate, after 2005, that this would be Chelsea's turn – but Gerrard doesn't work with logic.

The Reds were leading 2-1 on pens – Arjen Robben the only player to miss – when Gerrard stepped up. The most high-pressured penalty of all, especially having just seen Frank Lampard score.

Gerrard scored. Geremi, clearly buckling under the pressure, missed. Dirk Kuyt sent the Reds to Athens.



Reacting to adversity

His captaincy hasn't been completely all-action performances, goals and trophy lifts – as was discovered in October 2007 when he was hauled off with 20 minutes remaining in the Merseyside derby.

Goodison Park erupted when Rafael Benitez decided to replace him with Lucas Leiva, making his first appearance in the Premier League. Having originally looked perplexed at the decision, Gerrard ran off, giving words of encouragement to team-mates.

He could have moaned or been bitter at the decision in one of the games that means the most to him. But he celebrated as Lucas won the penalty which, eventually, led to Liverpool's 2-1 win over Everton.

He then responded by scoring in nine of the next 11 games.

Swinging the title pendulum

The 2008/09 season is viewed with disappointment because of how it eventually ended, but nobody can deny the excitement Gerrard caused when playing behind Fernando Torres – one of the main reasons behind the Reds tilt towards the title.

His best moment of that season came against Manchester United, the league leaders, in March 2009. Having fallen behind to Cristiano Ronaldo's penalty, Gerrard began to exert his influence over proceedings, helping out in midfield but also providing support to Torres.

After Torres had equalised for the Reds, Gerrard burst into the box on the stroke of half time – another instance of him taking the game by its neck – and earned a penalty after a tackle by Patrice Evra. He stepped up, scored, and kissed the camera for good measure.

What followed will never be forgotten by Reds, with Gerrard central to it all and the 4-1 win bearing the insignia of Stevie G.

A hat trick to remember

Liverpool went into the Merseyside derby in March 2012 with atrocious league form – and a cup semi-final against the Blues to come.

With three consecutive league defeats, and just two wins in 11 league games, Kenny Dalglish's side went to Anfield worrying this was the year Everton's long, winless run was to come to an end.

No such worry from Gerrard. He put in a brilliant performance from central midfield and scored a hat trick on his 400th appearance for the club, ensuring David Moyes' 10th anniversary would not be a happy one.

It was the first treble in a derby at Anfield since Fred Howe in 1935. More crucially, it proved a vital confidence boost ahead of the Wembley showdown – which Liverpool would win 2-1.

Silencing Old Trafford

The murmurs had been growing ever since the Reds' 5-1 demolition of Arsenal, but they went into Old Trafford in March 2014 shouting it loud and proud – they were going to win the league.

Though Moyes' Manchester United were a different prospect to the sides Alex Ferguson sent out, it still represented a massive test of Liverpool's title credentials.

They passed with flying colours and Gerrard was magnificent, scoring two penalties – and even missing a third. He was beginning to cause havoc from set pieces and dictate play in the midfield with his long-range passing.

We go again

Forget – if you can – how Liverpool's pursuit of the Premier League title ended in May. Instead, remember the ride they took their supporters on throughout.

Much like his post-match interview in Istanbul, it was more what happened after the game than anything before it which signalled what a captain Gerrard had become.

The 3-2 win over Manchester City put them within touching distance of the title, and it came on one of the most emotional weeks in the club's history – the 25th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster.

After the full time whistle, Gerrard gathered his players into a huddle and gave a pep talk, including those now immortal three words.

Back in the old routine

The final minute. The Champions League. An opportunity to save Liverpool's skin.

Gerrard's penalty against Ludogorets Razgrad in the final minute of the game demonstrated, more than anything, that after 11 years – he's still got it.

