Liverpool finally look like a Premier League force.
Their stunning start to the season has propelled them into
contention after several years as domestic also-rans. Captain
Amazing Steven Gerrard is, of course, the heartbeat of their surge,
as they go toe-to-toe with Chelsea.
However, it could all have been so different. The England
international may have reached these heights years ago had he
managed to force his way to Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea bid £20 million for him in 2004 and then £32m in 2005, at
which point Gerrard handed in a transfer request, leading to
outrage on Merseyside.
The botched Gareth Barry move from Aston Villa to the Reds had
similar undercurrents. Martin O'Neill thinks Barry is best to stay
put and Gerrard certainly believes he was right to stay at
Anfield.
"It's only as you get older though that you realise how important
playing for Liverpool is," he admitted. "You cannot grasp that when
you are setting out, so maybe that is why I look at things a bit
differently.
"Looking back, I'm pleased how I have reacted. From the bad tackles
and sending offs, to all the talk of a Chelsea move, which I regret
getting involved in, and the own goal in the cup final.
"Without the setbacks, I don't think I'd have achieved as much as I
have." Now, he'll want to come full circle by pipping the
Blues to the Premier League title.