Gerrard reveals all

Liverpool FC captain Steven Gerrard marked his 100th appearance in UEFA club competition by scoring twice as the Reds defeated Real Madrid CF 4-0 on 10 March to reach the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals. The England midfield player took time out after that victory, and before Liverpool were paired with Chelsea FC in the draw for the last eight, to share his thoughts on that triumph, European nights at Anfield and his love affair with club football's premier prize. Having agreed terms on a new two-year contract on Friday, he also reveals his depth of emotion for the club he supported as a boy.

How does the Madrid victory rank alongside all the big European nights at Anfield?

Steven Gerrard: It ranks right alongside the best ones. I have been lucky enough to play in some big games at Anfield, especially in the Champions League, but the Real Madrid victory is certainly up there. We've got fantastic supporters who raise their performance on European nights. They bring their flags and make an awful lot of noise which gives the Liverpool players a big lift and a big help on the night.

Were you aware that you were playing in your 100th European match?

Gerrard: Yes, of course. It was a special night for me, personally. A lot of people were texting me on my mobile phone before the game, reminding me, but I already knew. I was very happy to reach that milestone and it makes me feel really proud to achieve that.

Liverpool were crowned European champions in Rome in both 1977 and 1984. Does it add extra significance ahead of this year's final at the Stadio Olimpico?

Gerrard: I'd say so. Obviously that's the history of the football club, and the idea for us players today is to add to that history – we want to be the team that goes to Rome and does it again. We remember those magical nights, so if we were to go and do that again, it would be really special.

You were born and raised in the city. What does Liverpool FC mean to you?

Gerrard: It means everything to me. I've supported the club ever since I started watching football. A lot of my family are Liverpool supporters, a lot of my friends, and I still live in the city. So when we do win and get good results, and win trophies, it's nice to be part of it and enjoy it with the supporters.

What was the first game you went to at Anfield?

Gerrard: I was a young boy playing for Liverpool, I think I was eight years of age. Steve Heighway was in charge of all the young players, and he treated us to three tickets, so me, my dad and brother went to the game. We were playing Coventry City and won 3-0. Jan Molby scored three penalties, so it was a strange night.

Who was your favourite player when you were a boy?

Gerrard: After going to that first game, Jan was certainly one of my favourite players. When I started going regularly to watch Liverpool, the likes of Jamie Redknapp, Robbie Fowler and John Barnes were my heroes.

When people talk about great European Cup finals, 2005 when you came from 3-0 down to beat AC Milan will always be up there.

Gerrard: I'm going to be biased and say that the 2005 final was the best final ever. I don't think there's one that turned out the way that game did - 3-0 down, then 3-3, and then a penalty shoot-out. It was fantastic entertainment for the neutral, but to play in it was an unbelievable experience.

What does the UEFA Champions League mean to you?

Gerrard: I think you've seen by my reaction when I lifted the cup in 2005 how much the trophy means to myself, to my team-mates and to the Liverpool supporters. That was the best night of my football life so far. So I want to go and match that and experience that feeling again.

How do you feel when people say you're the best midfielder in the world?

Gerrard: It's very flattering. It makes me smile when people talk well about my game and how I'm performing, but I don't agree with being the best midfielder in the world. There's a lot of fantastic midfield players out there, and it's very nice to be talked about in the same breath as them.

One of your best qualities seems to be that you never give up.

Gerrard: That's the way I've been brought up at this football club. From a very young age you're taught never to give up until the final whistle, no matter what the score is, and to keep fighting all the way till the end. And that's how I like to play the game. So many football matches have been turned around in the last couple of minutes, so it's important not to give up – and that's a message you've got to give young players.

What are your ambitions for the future with Liverpool and England?

Gerrard: I've still got many more dreams and ambitions to achieve with Liverpool. Obviously the Premier League; that's the only medal that is missing from my collection. It would be nice to lift a second European Cup, so there are still many, many things I want to achieve with the club. And obviously for England it would be nice to go to a tournament and be successful. To go one better than a quarter-final, to get into the last four, or maybe a final; that would be a fantastic achievement.

Do you see yourself as a manager in the future? Will you remain in football?

Gerrard: I have thought about it quite a few times: I'm 28 now and am certainly getting older. It would be nice to stay involved in the game. I'm not sure at what level, whether that's as a manager, a coach or whether I'll go into the media. I'm not too sure, but it would be nice to stay involved because football is so important to me.