W
e’re back at Anfield today for the first time
since clinching the Premier League title.
That’s not a bad way to start my column, is it?
But we, as a team, also have a clear message: we might have
achieved the target we set out for ourselves last summer, but
as the gaffer has made it clear, we consider our season far
from over.
Quite the opposite, actually. There’s as much to play for as
there ever has been.
I think it has been a defining characteristic of our team in
the past three seasons – and maybe beyond – that we treat
every game we play like it is the most important of our lives. I
can promise you, on behalf of all the boys, we aren’t going to
stop that now.
And when you play the quality of opponents we do, it’s
the only approach you can take. Aston Villa are a brilliant
side who gave us arguably one of our toughest challenges
all season at their place. Even 99 per cent effort and
concentration will mean we’ll get beat. So, we have to be on
it. We have to be at 100 per cent.
All that said, given what’s happened since I last wrote this
column, it’s impossible not to acknowledge it, even though
come kick-off it won’t be in any of our minds.
I’m sure when the moment came, when we were
mathematically confirmed champions, everyone who is
connected to this club immediately thought of someone else
close to them. For me, it was my wife and children and my
mum and dad.
That might be the reason I was seen with let’s say ‘red eyes’
in the TV interviews straight after... But I saw on social media,
and in videos, it was the case for many people: players, ex-
players and most of all supporters.
When something significant like that happens – and you’re
lucky enough to be part of it – you do think of those who’ve
helped you get there. The people who made it happen.
I could fill the entire programme listing people I am grateful
to and, by the way, none more so than all my current team-
mates, the gaffer, his direct staff and the unreal club staff,
who we don’t get to see as much of. But there are three
people whose contribution to me personally here at Liverpool
I want to highlight and thank.
Firstly, Sir Kenny Dalglish. One of the things that set me off
on the night we won it was seeing Kenny on TV immediately
after and how emotional he was. Along with Damien Comolli,
to whom I will also be forever grateful, Kenny is the reason I
got the opportunity to play for this amazing club.I can still remember, clear as day, the first conversation we
had and the first meeting we had. I still remember those first
training sessions.
Sir Kenny taught me how special this club is and that when
you are privileged to represent it on the pitch, you carry a
great responsibility. I loved every minute of playing for Sir
Kenny and he taught me more than I can explain in words.
The gaffer said that Kenny is our ‘soul’ and that is such a
great description. To know he is in the stands supporting us –
home and away – drives us on as a team. When he is on our
plane coming back from away-games every player wants to
shake his hand.
I can never repay what he did for me, but I hope the joy
we have bought him on the pitch, in the last few seasons
especially, has gone some way to show the gratitude he
deserves.
Secondly, is Brendan Rodgers. I think on the outside
Brendan probably isn’t given the credit he deserves for the
role he played in our journey as a club. But I know on the
inside, from people who know and understand, it’s hugely
appreciated. You only have to listen to our gaffer now speak.
When Jürgen says one of the biggest things that attracted
him to come to Liverpool in the first place was because it
was an outstanding team, in great shape, you realise how
important Brendan was.
He made me captain and it was a brave choice. I was young
still and I’m sure he could have picked other candidates who
were more experienced. Whatever he saw in me that made
him think I was worthy of that honour I don’t know, but I
couldn’t be more thankful.
Again, Brendan is a person who invested a lot of time and
energy into me as a professional and I learned so much from
him and his staff at the time.
Thirdly, is Steven Gerrard. It’s impossible to sum up the
importance of Stevie to the modern Liverpool and what we
are achieving together now. If you speak to every player in our
dressing-room – from the oldest to the youngest – they’ll all
tell you that following in the footsteps of Steven Gerrard was
a massive factor in wanting to sign for this club. It was for me,
and I was lucky to play alongside him for club and country.
Looking back now, as a player, you cannot get any better
education than being in the same team as Stevie. Everything
about him was inspirational.
Again, turning to the gaffer’s words, this Liverpool was “built
on Stevie’s legs” and Stevie’s shoulders. He is the benchmark
for any player coming to this club today. The way he handledON BEHALF OF THE CURRENT TEAM I THANK ALL
OF THE LEGENDS WHO BUILT THIS CLUB FOR GIVING
US A PLATFORM TO CREATE MORE MEMORIES
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