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Steven Gerrard says he felt like a kid again in LA Galaxy debut Steven Gerrard says he felt like a kid again in LA Galaxy debut
(about 3 hours later)
Steven Gerrard says he “felt like a kid again” after inspiring LA Galaxy to a 5-2 comeback win over local rivals San Jose Earthquakes in his MLS debut. A goal and a man of the match performance from the 35-year-old helped his new side overturn a two-goal first half to run out worthy winners in the California Clásico. Steven Gerrard says he “felt like a kid again” after inspiring LA Galaxy to a 5-2 comeback win over California rivals San Jose Earthquakes on his Major League Soccer debut. A goal and a man of the match performance from the 35-year-old former Liverpool captain helped his new side overturn a two-goal first half deficit to run out worthy winners.
Gerrard, who was still wearing Liverpool shinpads, played 87 minutes behind lone striker Robbie Keane and provided an assist for two of the Irishman’s three goals on the night, while scoring the equalising goal to make it 2-2. Gerrard, still wearing Liverpool shinpads, played 87 minutes behind the lone striker, Robbie Keane, and provided an assist for one of the Irishman’s three goals on the night, while scoring the equaliser to make it 2-2.
Related: Steven Gerrard inspires LA Galaxy comeback on debut against San Jose Substituted three minutes from time, Gerrard remained on the field longer than expected. During this new, and possibly final era of his career, every minute counts. “Bruce [Arena] was shouting: ‘How are you doing?’ from about 60 minutes. I was pretending I couldn’t hear him and just kept looking away,” Gerrard said. “I felt like a kid out there again, I don’t want to come off, I want to play as much football as I can.
Withdrawn three minutes from time, Gerrard remained on the field longer than expected. During this new, and probably final era of his career, every minute counts. “One of the reasons why I came to this team was to start all the games. I was determined not to become a squad player. I still feel like I’ve got energy, I still love the game, I’m enjoying training and I’m settling in pretty well. So far so good, but I need to keep working and keep focused.”
“Bruce [Galaxy boss Arena] was shouting ‘how are you doing?’ from about 60 minutes. I was pretending I couldn’t hear him and just kept looking away,” Gerrard said. “I felt like a kid out there again, I don’t want to come off, I want to play as much football as I can. Gerrard’s energy was evident, through the jubilant celebration of his 37th-minute goal and a marauding second-half performance, which saw him grow in stature as the game wore on.
“One of the reasons why I came to this team was to start all the games. I was determined not to become a squad player. I still feel like I’ve got energy, I still love the game, I’m enjoying training and I’m settling in pretty well. So far so good, but I need to keep working and keep focussed.”
Gerrard’s energy was evident, through the jubilant celebration of 37th minute goal and a marauding second half performance, which saw him grow in stature as the game wore on.
Very familiar celebration and very familiar shinpads from Steven Gerrard. There are some things you can't change... pic.twitter.com/7zOlQ3GrR8Very familiar celebration and very familiar shinpads from Steven Gerrard. There are some things you can't change... pic.twitter.com/7zOlQ3GrR8
The major benefactor from his rapid acclimation was former his Anfield team-mate Keane, who converted two penalties and prodded home Gerrard’s second half free-kick, despite falling ill on Friday afternoon. The major benefactor from his rapid acclimatisation was his former Anfield team-mate Keane, who converted two penalties and prodded home Gerrard’s second-half free-kick, despite falling ill on Friday afternoon. “We had that chemistry in Liverpool,” said the former England captain. “When you’re playing with good players it’s easy to connect. Robbie’s a very intelligent player and he’s done it here for many years. For me it’s quite easy to connect because I know where he’s going to be, we’ve got a great understanding and I’m sure it’s only going to get stronger.”
“We had that chemistry in Liverpool,” said the former England captain. “When you’re playing with good players it’s easy to connect. Robbie’s a very intelligent player and he’s done it here for many years. A veteran of 33 Merseyside derbies, it was apt that Gerrard’s MLS baptism came in a derby match – albeit between two teams separated by a five-hour drive rather than a five-minute walk. “I love playing in derbies and I wish I could play in them every week. I used to love them against Everton and Manchester United back home,” he added.
“For me it’s quite easy to connect because I know where he’s going to be, we’ve got a great understanding and I’m sure it’s only going to get stronger.” “I’ve been looking forward to this game for a long time. When I met Bruce and Chris back in the winter, they said this was the No1 game to get myself ready for. I’ll look forward to these battles moving forward, but I’ll be up for every single game I’m selected for.”
A veteran of 33 Merseyside Derbies, it was perhaps apt Gerrard’s baptism into Major League Soccer came in a local clash – albeit between two teams separated by a five hour drive rather than a five minutes walk. Gerrard has forged a legacy by picking his teams up off the canvas and driving them to unlikely victories. However, it was somewhat surprising to see this particular skillset called into action so early in his MLS career.
“I love playing in derbies and I wish I could play in them every week. I used to love them against Everton and Manchester United back home,” he added. Since arriving in Los Angeles, Gerrard has seemed a different man. Happy, unburdened and free. As he appeared on the big screen in the tunnel before kick off, the Galaxy faithful let out a roar. The new No8 allowed a slight grin to creep over his face, struggling to contain his excitement. The smile, so noticeably absent during a miserable final season at his boyhood club, was back.
“I’ve been looking forward to this game for a long time. When I met Bruce and Chris back in the winter, they said this was the number one game to get myself ready for. I’ll look forward to these battles moving forward, but I’ll be up for every single game I’m selected for.” Once the ceremonial anthems and fireworks were out of the way, it was a rather quiet start. Lined up behind Keane, Gerrard was well marshalled and forced to drop deep to pick up the ball. Then a torrid three-minute spell midway through the first half saw the home side surrender two goals, with poor defending gifting both goals to the journeyman striker Quincy Amarikwa.
Between the goals, two watching Galaxy legends David Beckham and Landon Donovan appeared on the big screen, garnering probably the biggest cheer of the night – at least until that point.
Things were not going well, but this was Gerrard’s well-trodden territory. Sensing the need, heimmediately began driving his team forward with renewed vigour. On the half-hour mark, Gerrard caught an elbow in the penalty box, allowing Keane to pull one back from the spot.
Gerrard’s first big Hollywood moment arrived on 37 minutes when as he tucked away a neat finish from 12 yards after the Earthquakes failed to clear Baggio Husidic’s cross. He wheeled away, celebrating his goal with the joy of a man liberated by his new surroundings, thrusting his fist towards the Galaxy faithful, who responded in kind.
Then, a trademark crunching tackle five minutes before the break dislodged the boot and probably the pride of the San Jose centre-back Víctor Bernárdez.
In the second half Gerrard found much more freedom, bombing forward with a familiar gallop and linking up more effectively with his team-mates.
For the large contingent of Liverpool fans, who had unfurled banners and sang his name outside the stadium before kick-off, this was an unshackled version of Gerrard they had not seen in quite some time. For Galaxy fans, many of whom were meeting their new star player for the first time, this was a taste of what to expect.
In the first half Gerrard had deferred on set-pieces, but as the game went on his influence increased. With his first free-kick on 64 minutes he served up LA’s third goal as Keane prodded his low centre home for his second of the night. His second effort, a few minutes later curled against the crossbar from 25 yards.
Keane sealed the win, and his hat-trick, with his second penalty on 80 minutes, before the talented Sebastian Lletget wrapped things up just before the end. This is LA, and they sure do love a comeback story in this town.
Related: Steven Gerrard inspires LA Galaxy comeback on debut against San Jose