[lfc-news] From depths of despair to the dizzy heights up on cloud nine - Echo

Liverpool Echo, 7 July 2005
From depths of despair to the dizzy heights up on cloud nine
By Chris Bascombe, Liverpool Echo

IT WAS a comeback as inspired as the second half in Istanbul.

Liverpool were effectively 3-0 down with only their pride left to
restore as their rivals steamrolled over the club and its captain.

Then, just like his opening goal in Turkey, Steven Gerrard made the
crucial intervention required to turn the club's humiliation into a triumph.

A phone call from the unfairly maligned agent Struan Marshall to Rick
Parry shortly after 10.30pm on Tuesday night was as dramatic as Jerzy
Dudek's penalty save from Andriy Shevchenko.

The secret remained intact until the dramatic announcement at 9am yesterday.

Even the Liverpool players, enjoying breakfast at the Melwood canteen,
spat out their cornflakes in shock as the news flashed across their
television screen.

There are those who'll cynically cry 'here we go again' following
Gerrard's latest u-turn.

What's to prevent comments such as those pre-Olympiakos during the
middle of the season? Or another period of soul searching next June?

However, while the similarities to last summer are undeniable, there are
also crucial differences which will prevent a repeat in the seasons to come.

Unlike last summer, Gerrard is backing his commitment with a new contract.

This time, there will be no clause which allows him to rethink his
position at the end of the season if the Reds fail to qualify for the
Champions League.

His comments in the ECHO yesterday have effectively tied him to Anfield
for the rest of his playing career - a point echoed by chairman David
Moores and underlined by the captain last night when he said Liverpool
'deserved the next 10 years of his career'.

"He's here for life, " Moores said. "This will never happen again."

Had Gerrard signed on June 29, it would have been an easy decision for
him. By yesterday, agreeing a contract with Liverpool took courage.

He knows he'll be accused of indecision and will need to win back the
hearts of a minority of supporters. Far better for everyone he can begin
that process of rehabilitation in a red shirt.

His conciliatory tone, accepting part of the blame, apologising to the
club and offering to relinquish the captaincy, also reveals the depth of
his sincerity.

Contrary to the hype, this was never about money to Gerrard. It was a
matter of principle. Once the club proved how much they valued him,
Chelsea's bid was back in the balance.

"I said to the manager I would like to speak with the players on my own
because I know some of them have been frustrated with what's gone on,
just like the fans have," he said..

"It would have broken my heart to have lost the captaincy but I thought
it was right to make the offer."

Far from wanting rid of Gerrard, as the player himself had thought,
Benitez was thrilled to be told his captain was staying.

He swiftly rejected the offer to give up the armband.

"Steven is our captain and I want him to stay as captain. We are all
delighted because we all wanted him to stay," Benitez said..

"Whenever we have talked, we have always known he wanted to stay and we
understood the situation.

"Now, we have a clear idea about the future. It is important that we
received this good news and it has come as a boost for everyone at the club.

"I am sure now that Steve will be more focused on his club and on the
games because his contract is sorted out.

"My relationship with Steve is fine; it always has been. I am sure that
now, if it is possible, our relationship will be even better."

Some fans still need convincing, bizarrely claiming it's a sad day for
the club when they go 'grovelling' to secure the services of one player.

Such cynics should ask themselves what ' s the difference between
Liverpool going out on a limb to convince Gerrard to stay than doing the
same when signing the likes of Morientes or Figo?

This is the reality of modern football. The greatest players have the
power and the clubs must show their muscle to sign or keep the most
prized assets.

Parry and Rafa Benitez did what they had to do. If they hadn't, surely
the prospect of dealing with Chelsea's Peter Kenyon and allowing a
player to leave against his judgment would have been a far more serious,
more symbolic act of self-mutilation?

When Gerrard pens his four-year deal tomorrow, Liverpool will
effectively be signing one of the best midfielders in the world on a
free transfer.

Regardless of how fraught the negotiations were, that's something to
celebrate.

As the unforgettable night in Istanbul proved, when you've sunk to the
depths of despair and believe all hope is lost, you ' re more
appreciative of the view when you're sitting on cloud nine.

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