Steven Gerrard - Liverpool

Known as Stevie-G and as the heart-beat of Liverpool FC, Gerrard has been a one-man rescue act for Liverpool for a whole generation. A star in the famous turnaround at Istanbul 2005, where Liverpool came back from 3-0 down in the first half to equalize and win against AC Milan in the Champions League final, Gerrards career is littered with such match winning performances.

In the 2007 FA Cup final, Liverpool was losing the game against with seconds to go when a rocket from Gerrard's foot brought them back on level. Liverpool went on to win that game as well.

Gerrard has spent his whole life at Liverpool, despite interests in recent years from Chelsea and Real Madrid. A commitment that can not be overestimated. At a time when Liverpool have always had to play second fiddle to Manchester United, the hated rivals, Gerrard has spent a lifetime trying to correct the balance. It's fair to say that Steven Gerrard could play for any team in the world.

Interestingly enough, he started his career as a defender - a wing back. It was manager Gerard Houllier who converted him to the marauding midfielder the world knows today. Most easily identified by his all action style of leadership on the pitch, Gerrard can be found almost anywhere on the pitch in a game.

In recent seasons, his partnership with Torres has been the axis of Liverpool's form and success. He has over 500 appearances for Liverpool with over 120 goals. But dig a little deeper and you'll find that a very signficant proportion of those goals are critical ones - goals that won, saved or changed matches.

Gerrard is married to Alex Curran, a fashion journalist. He was awarded the OBE (Order of The British Empire) by the Queen in 2007.