Legendary midfielder never won the league with his boyhood club – but now he could help them do it as manager of another team.
"We'll give everything we've got to get points for Aston Villa. If that helps Liverpool, fantastic," says Gerrard ahead of Man City clash.
Steven Gerrard's phone has been red-hot ahead of the finale to the English Premier League and many of the calls and messages will likely have come from people connected to his former club.
One of the greatest midfielders in his generation, Gerrard never got to win the league for Liverpool in 17 years there as a player and team captain. It was the biggest regret in his career, denying him what he has called "the icing on the cake".
On Sunday, though, he could help win the title for Liverpool – as a manager of another team.
Gerrard's Aston Villa stand between Manchester City and another league title, their sixth in 11 seasons. All City need to do is win at their Etihad Stadium home.
Yet if Gerrard can inspire a win or even a draw for Villa, the title could then go to Liverpool – provided his boyhood club, the team he’ll forever hold dear to his heart, beat Wolverhampton in a match taking place simultaneously at Anfield.
It's the dominant narrative heading into Sunday and Gerrard cannot deny it.
"I totally understand and respect the external noise and the questions that have been coming my way for some time," he said. "They're involved in a title race and I spent a lot of time there."
So how does Gerrard assess the situation?
"We'll go out at the weekend," he said, "and give it everything we've got to try and get points for Aston Villa and our supporters.
"If that inevitably helps Liverpool, fantastic, but my priority is to try and get points for Aston Villa."
CHRISTOPAULK2
0
nobody talks about Wolves and that's the destiny...
Pacekopruy
0
The management of Aston Villa will prepare the 10m than the 3 points.
Ufotson
1
We are with you #villians
Lecbnrsuy
0
Gerrard's hands are tied on this game Money talks Grealish deal is the winner
seyciostyz
0
...careful Gerrard! Think of the consequences at MC if you beat them! Fans are crazy and you better have a quick exit strategy if you are adamant in trying to beat MC. Everton story says it all. Safety for yourself and the players is better than doing the Reds a favour! You gain nothing at the end because now you are not a Red player anymore!
Sarcastic comment. It sounds like you are the one planning to do something to Steven Gerrard if he wins. Maybe the greater Metropolitan Police must keep a watch on you
seyciostyz
1
No pressure on you Gerrard. Just do what you can with what you have. We don't want you to have a mental break down. Liverpool remains Liverpool. You're the future of Liverpool.
zebaelmy
0
...careful Gerrard! Think of the consequences at MC if you beat them! Fans are crazy and you better have a quick exit strategy if you are adamant in trying to beat MC. Everton story says it all. Safety for yourself and the players is better than doing the Reds a favour! You gain nothing at the end because now you are not a Red player anymore!
Lecbnrsuy
0
How much will Aston Villa get from the Grealish sale if City win? City have won it already its hard to pin point a case of match fixing but this is classic one
Lecbnrsuy
0
Gerrard has no say in this game Grealish contract with City has a say
beydlnprz
3
Wolves will do wonders today
nuhdiorstu
2
Once, Gerrard's slip cost us the title.. now he will make Guardiola slip, you know the rest!
fellyp
2
Gerrard will always be our greatest captain and he's a professional one. Right now he focus on Astonvilla n hopefully next journey will focus where he belong.
nokciknu
1
His players will help him slip again
nokciknu
1
MC will thrash AV.
Yaadknty
2
if you like dey romance words for us , Manchester City must surely win
Nokdnory
2
even if you put him (Gerrard) in the studium we still win it,
Jeubekmopt
2
what I know is that Steven Gerald will concede more than 3goal tommorow...Liverpool jus affirm premier league gone very many months ago
limbdklruy
3
zebaelmy
0
...be more practical, Aston Villa will get $15 million for the club if MC wins because of Glealish clause! Your loyalty as a manager is towards Aston Villa now and it will be stupid and a great profit loss if Gerrard insists upon the players to win at all cost. Pretty sure that the players will be smarter and practical to think for the club first. After all they in a safe position and nothing to play for. Surely 15 million is not a small sum to be ignored...😅
zebaelmy
0
Manager loves the Reds...not sure his players share the same feelings... perhaps they would prefer MC to win rather than Liverpool...🤣🤣🤣
AbdulZaks008
0
So Coutinho and Gerrard just back To EPL this season for something special against their former team in Final fixture👀
seun05
1
can he stop mancity?
Jusbdlmrty
4
Ashton Villa will enter the lion's den when it is most furious after having to share its spoils with West Ham. Sorry, Steven Villa will be crushed to bones at the Etihad.City all the way
disbcdilmo
0
tomorrow will be day Stevie G will garadee the league to Liverpool for his boyhood because in terms of 17years he at Liverpool he never won any league title
komadety
0
Villa is not defensive as Atletico and city still score so the can park bus truck container city is going to score as destiny lies in their hands heaven bless them
behaclnpyz
0
Let each team be mindful of winning their game. I support Gerald.... Him and his boys will try by all means to get 3 points
komadety
0
he will definitely slip again Pep is so right with his statement
Fakelmns
4
Mr Gerrard Will be first person who cost his club for epl trophy as player and coach[Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh]
Juwbelmnsy
3
just get the point for your team and nothing more.. even if is 1 point, get it for your team not for City or Liverpool
zahcdeiy
1
As a Liverpool fan we are dreaming for this to happen
mexicodegreat
1
Simple.. So Steven Gerrard needs the money to boast his squad for next season
zokkmorst
0
Slippy Gerrard will slip again
Musatunkara
4
I can see Liverpool are putting pressure on their own legend, but if city win not his fault at all
charitywale
2
🚨DID YOU KNOW: There is a clause which states that Aston Villa is supposed to receive £15 Million bonus fee if Jack Grealish win the Premier League with Manchester City. 👀 And Liverpool fans are counting on Aston Villa. 😂🔥
Clerakutzio
1
Liverpool counting on Stevie but to loose their own game.
citbcdimn
1
as a Liverpool fan let forget day dreaming city have won the trophy we can only of champions league,
Nizikrstuz
2
City are winning...only God can help Liverpool
bamcekmrsz
2
As if he will kick the ball😏Stop nonsense AF. City will win it period.