Gerrard opens up on Istanbul and the 'slip'

Steven Gerrard has discussed some of the most memorable events of his career in his first major interview after announcing his retirement.

The former Liverpool player confirmed he is hanging up his boots after an 18-month stint with LA Galaxy in the MLS.

The former England captain experienced wild highs at Anfield such as the miraculous comeback to beat AC Milan in the Champions League final in Istanbul, while also felt deep lows such as when his slip in the crucial game against Chelsea tipped the balance away from Liverpool in their quest to win the Premier League in 2013-14 season.

“The Champions League in Istanbul in 2005 is the highlight, getting that fifth Champions League for Liverpool and keeping that trophy forever,” he told BT Sport.

“It was a dream just to be involved in the ride and the journey, but to get the trophy at the end of it, and the game – probably the best Champions League final ever – was a miracle really.

“The nice thing for me was that I contributed big in the game, being the captain the pressure was on me to deliver and looking back now I’m pleased with how it went.

“But at the same time, there have been some brutal lows that took a lot out of me.

“Obviously the Chelsea game, that is one that will haunt me for a long time.

“The complete opposite of the feelings of the Champions League where you are on this incredible high, when you go back to the Chelsea game and that being a pivotal moment.

“It felt like a disaster happened in my life, that’s how bad it was.

“I get quite a lot of stick about not winning the Premier League.

“I look back at the opportunities I had to go to the strongest teams in the league, and I could be sat here now with four or five Premier League medals, or could have gone abroad to the big teams and chased that glory.

“But it’s also satisfying that I stayed here and was loyal to the people who were most important to me, I didn’t chase cash, chase the glory.

“Of course I am sitting here with that one big regret that I didn’t win the Premier League, but I am proud of my loyalty."

Photo - Gettyimages/Clive Brunskill

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