“Thanks for the tears and tackling” – NRK

Sometimes it pops up players it is impossible not to like, even though they play opponents. Players who have some other characteristic that makes you have to respect them and be grateful that they are a part of football. As Steven Gerrard.

I used many years to “hate” Liverpool. As AC Milan supporter makes it still hurts to think about the day in Istanbul when Steven Gerrard and Liverpool turned 3-0 to 3-3, and won the Champions League on penalties. The deplorable defeat gave me an intense reluctance red from Anfield. But I could never dislike Steven Gerrard. Because Steven Gerrard is the one in Italian football would call a “bandiera”.

Bandiera is Italian for “flag”, and Bandiera’s club flag. The concept refers to players who by virtue of long and faithful service becomes a symbol of the club. A club legend. In Italy, the bandieraer as Del Piero, Totti and Maldini. Players who had all or most of his career in the same club, and played with his heart on his uniform every game.

Players Steven Gerrard. An English Bandiera.

MORE ABOUT GERRARD: – Will always be among the greatest

Gives hope to supporters

In today’s purchase -and-sale football there is something beautiful nostalgic over the club loyal legends. Because they give us a hope that football still is about more than money and fame. That there are players who are also fans. That actually love their team. Steven Gerrard is one of those players. And when all is said and done, it is such players that creates a bond between fans and the team.

While superstars and scorer coming and going, gives players Steven Gerrard supporters continuity, loyalty and a sense of team soul endures. And there are such loyal players who are respected even by his fiercest opponents.

ALSO READ: – I was skeptical Gerrard

Gerrard has had a fantastic career. He has at times been one of the world’s best midfielders and he has won almost everything. When he is old, he can retrieve an impressive medal collection, including the Champions League, UEFA Cup and tons of individual prices. But there is one thing missing. Series Championship.

I was hoping intensely Liverpool to win the league last season. Solely because it is football professionally wrong and unfair that Steven Gerrard has never won the Premier League. There are few players who deserves a Premier League gold more than him. Unfortunately it does not look like it’s going to happen. Gerrard gives up after this season, and this year’s Liverpool is miles away from being champions. I can not see myself Gerrard takes an Lampard and goes to another English top club. It makes me sad to think that Stevie G will probably never get any gold medal from the Premier League.

Scapegoat but most brilliantly

Additional sad it is because he himself helped to throw away opportunity last season. Sometimes football bloody unfair. For what is left of many of last year’s season is Stevie G as slipping while Demba Ba surging past and scores for Chelsea. Stevie G who realize that it is not this year either. Who meet with lewd song from rival supporters, who sings that he “slipped on his f * king ass.” Stevie G as scapegoat.

But he deserves to be remembered for so much more. He is a true English bandiera, and deserves to be remembered as the brilliant footballer he has been.

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Thanks for the tears and tackles

Dear Steven Gerrard. I do not know what you do after the summer. If you like other selves soccer stars try in the USA, or whether one or another major European club snap you up to give you one last chance at a new round of the Champions League. Wherever the road goes on, I want to thank you.

I want to thank you for everything you have given us football fans. For free-kicks. The gorgeous passes. Efforts. For tears banana. For tackling. For the love you showed for Liverpool, which lets us believe that footballers really are just like us fans. That you really love made you play for as high as what we do.

You have been a true ambassador for Liverpool. You have made them harder to hate. Thanks for the effort, Stevie G. You will be missed, even by us who are not cheering for Liverpool.