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Steven Gerrard, a player whose name will be sung forever in Liverpool, was honored at a special event in London on Monday. Gerard Houllier presented Gerrard with the Legend of Football Award for 2017, a prize he now shares with other mammoths of the game such as Kenny Dalglish and Pele.
The event is a fundraiser for the music therapy charity Nordoff Robbins.
Gerrard reflected on his career saying, “I’ve lived the dream. My dream was to play for Liverpool and be the captain.”
Several of Gerrard’s former teammates were in attendance to support their friend and pay tribute to his excellent career. Among them were Xabi Alonso, Jamie Carragher, Sami Hyypia and Gary McAllister.
Afterwards, Alonso said, “We had so many experiences together, so many highs and a few lows as well,” said Alonso. “He deserves this kind of award, he’s a true legend of the game – that’s why he is so praised and we appreciate him so much.”
It should come as no surprise to Liverpool fans which moment in his career Gerrard has pinpointed as his best.
“Istanbul – I’m going to be saying that until the day I go,” he answered.
“It was such a special night and a night I never thought I’d be involved in. When I grew up I had a dream of playing for Liverpool, I didn’t have a dream to win trophies and certainly didn’t have a dream to win the biggest one of all.
“So to be a Champions League winner at my boyhood club and be the captain of the team and lift the cup above my head, I’ll never get tired of talking about that. That will always be the best moment of my life.”
About his future, Gerrard admits that he hopes to one manage a club at the highest level.
“Hopefully one day I’ll manage and coach at the top and be able to add to a lot of the highs I had in the game. That’s the reason I’m doing it. That’s what I grew up wanting to be – be around football and be around the highs.
“The lows are worth going through to achieve the highs. I’m in a good place, I’m happy. I’m really delighted to be at the Academy helping these young kids.”