Steven Gerrard: The Moments That Made Them

Summary

The Rest Is Football: Steven Gerrard – The Moments That Made Them

Episode Date: January 21, 2026
Hosts: Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer, Micah Richards

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Overview

In this special “Premier League Greats” episode, Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer, and Micah Richards reflect on the career of Steven Gerrard, one of Liverpool's most iconic and influential midfielders. Through a mix of stories, debate, and typical banter, the hosts explore Gerrard’s defining moments – magic goals, agonizing slips, leadership as captain, and the unfulfilled dream of a Premier League title. The discussion captures how Gerrard’s loyalty, versatility, and willpower shaped not just Liverpool but English football itself.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Is Steven Gerrard the Premier League’s Best Midfielder?

• Early Consensus:

  • Shearer: "He's the best all round, all round. Defending, attacking, passing, scoring goals, crosses, pass, everything you can do. He was a complete midfielder, without doubt." (03:26)
  • All agree that the "never won the Premier League" argument undervalues his greatness, given Liverpool’s teams at that time. (03:42)

• Gerrard vs Scholes vs Lampard:

  • Lineker: "Scholes was a passer, wasn't he? Probably the greatest passer of the football in that era." (04:13)
  • Shearer: “But Lampard as well...but it's different. Different.” (04:18)
  • Micah: "It's almost impossible" to settle the debate; each had unique qualities. (04:25-04:28)

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2. Gerrard's Playing Style & Influence

• Described as having "the engine, up and down, goals when his team needed it. Important goals." (04:35)
• Leadership qualities highlighted by all. (05:06)
• Lineker comments on Gerrard’s football intellect and punditry, and wonders if he’ll give management another shot after spells at Rangers and Aston Villa. (05:08)

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3. Speculation & Loyalty: The Chelsea Transfer Saga

• The hosts revisit 2005, when Gerrard was strongly linked to Chelsea under Mourinho.

• They contrast club loyalty with the allure of trophies:

  • Micah explains the "extra pressure" of being a local boy and captain. (07:29)
  • Shearer shares his near-move to Manchester United before choosing Newcastle, displaying the tricky balance between heart and ambition. (08:00)

• On Gerrard staying:

  • Shearer: “I’m glad he didn’t leave, though… There’s never going to be another Steven Gerrard at Liverpool. That’s how good he is. That’s the impact he has.” (10:11-10:13)

• Notable Rumor: Fans purportedly intervened to keep Gerrard from leaving ("Imagine someone turning up at your house saying, you're not going anywhere, man." – Shearer, 11:03)

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4. Defining Moments on the Pitch

Istanbul 2005 – Champions League Final

• Hosts unanimously agree Gerrard “was the one that drove that comeback.” (11:13)
• Shearer: “He pulled them back into it... We talk about leadership. He’s just got a different aura around him.” (11:27)
• Anecdote: Shearer once borrowed Gerrard’s boots at England training:
  • “I was unbelievable in that training session. You know what? I want to get footage of it.” (12:43)

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Old Trafford Penalty & the Badge Kiss

• Liverpool vs Manchester United: Penalty scored at Old Trafford, followed by Gerrard kissing the camera and badge, creating one of the era’s most iconic photos. (13:29-13:32)
• Micah: “When you say ‘it’s just a penalty’ – it’s just a penalty at Old Trafford against your biggest rivals!” (13:06)

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Merseyside Derby Hat-Trick

• Gerrard’s hat-trick against Everton is seen as the ultimate “local boy” achievement.
• Micah: “For the local lad to do that is bloody amazing.” (21:31)
• Lineker draws parallels to his own days at Everton and scoring in derbies; “It's like an ordinary goal times about five, probably.” (20:34)

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The Slip (vs. Chelsea, 2014)

• Played back in vivid detail; acknowledged as a cruel, defining moment that possibly cost Liverpool the league.
• Host: “Of all the players for it to happen...” (21:47)
• Micah: “You can imagine the hurt and the pain...” (22:01)
• Shearer references the double blow—local hero, local heartbreak. (22:14)
• Controversy about the keeper's role, but the consensus is that fate just conspired against Gerrard. (22:45-23:14)

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5. Farewell & The LA Galaxy Stint

• Emotional send-off at Anfield noted:
  • “Captain deserved it,” says Micah. (23:58)
• Remark on Gerrard's continued leadership and how he stood up during “sticky moments.”

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6. Leadership & Comparing Greats

• The perennial “Scholes vs Lampard vs Gerrard” question returns:
  • Hosts again say the three were so different it’s unfair to pick one; “They were both great players. They were great at what they did and they were both great at different things and could produce special moments when you needed them.” (24:24)
• Discussion of England’s midfield conundrum in the 2000s, tactical rigidity, and the missed opportunity to fit all three into the same team. (25:37)
• Modern parallel with Bellingham, Rodgers, Foden, Palmer—“a good problem to have.” (26:01-26:14)

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7. Iconic Last-Minute FA Cup Final Goal

• Lineker recalls seeing Gerrard’s 30-yard equalizer vs. West Ham in the 2006 FA Cup Final:
  • “He got cramped, he was down with cramp. And then he somehow gets up and hits that thunderous goal from 30 yards... to equalise in the last minute.” (26:29)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Alan Shearer on Gerrard’s all-around quality:
  "He was a complete midfielder, without doubt." (03:26)

• Gary Lineker on the endless midfield debate:
  "That's why I always think this argument is a little bit... almost impossible." (04:22-04:27)

• Micah Richards on the weight of hometown expectations:
  "...because you're a local boy and it's your team, your area and everyone looks to you to be the difference." (07:29)

• On Gerrard’s leadership in Istanbul:
  "He pulled them back into it… leadership, he's just got a different aura." – Alan Shearer (11:35)

• On the 2014 slip:
  "...the local boy making an error which then turns into an error that costs the league." – Micah Richards (22:01)

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• 03:06 – Gerrard as complete midfielder; comparing to Scholes and Lampard
• 05:53 – Chelsea transfer saga
• 11:13 – Istanbul Champions League comeback
• 13:06 – Old Trafford penalty and badge-kissing celebration
• 19:06 – Merseyside derby hat-trick
• 21:47 – The Slip against Chelsea
• 23:58 – Anfield farewell and LA Galaxy move
• 24:24 – Comparing Gerrard, Scholes, Lampard
• 26:29 – 2006 FA Cup Final: Last-minute thunderbolt vs. West Ham

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Tone and Chemistry

• The hosts’ friendly, ribbing dynamic makes for engaging storytelling and debate. The tone is nostalgic but honest, with the three continually circling back to both Gerrard’s majestic highs and searing lows, framing his career as uniquely rich in drama, character, and local resonance.

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Conclusion

All three agree that, regardless of personal rankings, Steven Gerrard is unequivocally one of the greatest players not just of the Premier League era, but in English football history. His legacy is cemented by big-game brilliance, loyalty to his club, never-say-die leadership, and the ability to shoulder the pressures and pain of being a true hometown hero.

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End of Summary – “The Rest Is Football: Steven Gerrard – The Moments That Made Them”

Transcript

[Gary Lineker]

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[Host / Moderator]

Hello and welcome to the Rest is Football with Alan Shearer, Micah Richards and me, Gary Lineker. We've got another episode of Premier League Greats the moments that made them well, this week's Episode is about someone that you two have probably played against, possibly with Alain.

[Gary Lineker]

Not sure.

[Host / Moderator]

Come to it in a minute. But a certain. Well, one of the great midfielders of the Premier League era. Some people would say the best of the Premier League era. We can have that debate once again, a Liverpool legend, a certain Steven Gerrard, Stevie G. He's the best.

[Micah Richards]

Do you think so?

[Alan Shearer]

He's the best.

[Host / Moderator]

You've always said that.

[Alan Shearer]

He's the best all round, all round. Defending, attacking, passing, scoring goals, crosses, pass, everything you can do. He was a complete midfielder, without doubt. And all these people who say, oh, he's never won a Premier League, but look at some of the teams he played in.

[Host / Moderator]

Yeah, that wasn't the greatest Liverpool era, was it?

[Alan Shearer]

No, he won the Champions League. Dragged him through that. He's just phenomenal. He's unbelievable playing against him and playing with him. Played with him for England as well in training. He was the best by far. There's always levels and he was just above Real Ferdinand and jt. You could see they was different level. But as a midfielder, I never played with Scholes, so I don't know. And everyone talks about Scholes.

[Host / Moderator]

Scholes was a passer, wasn't he? Probably the greatest passer of the football in that era.

[Alan Shearer]

But Lampard as well.

[Host / Moderator]

But Lampard will get more goals.

[Alan Shearer]

It's different. Different.

[Gary Lineker]

They're all different.

[Host / Moderator]

And that's why I always think this argument is a little bit.

[Micah Richards]

It's almost impossible.

[Host / Moderator]

Almost impossible.

[Micah Richards]

When you talk about passing, by the way, in scores, Gerrard was unbelievable at passing. I mean, the way he used to move it and ping it.

[Host / Moderator]

You crossed over slightly, didn't he?

[Micah Richards]

Crossed over slightly with England, Yeah. He was in year 2000. Made his debut just before Euro 2000. But that was obviously a tournament that we didn't do very well in, so it probably wasn't a great start to his England career. But I couldn't go up against the argument that you think he's the best because he could do almost everything a midfielder needs. The engine, up and down, goals when his team needed it. Important goals. Mentioned the Champions League, FA Cup Final.

[Alan Shearer]

Yes. Leader.

[Host / Moderator]

Leader, though, really nice guy as well. I've worked with him quite a lot for BT Sport when I did the Champions League and he was a pundit during that quite a lot. And he really knows the game as well. He's quite. I mean, obviously he went into management, didn't he? I wonder if he'll try and bounce back. I suspect he might want to have another pop at it because he did particularly well at Rangers, didn't he? Didn't quite. I thought he was a bit unlocked at the villa. They went quite early. I think it was his first really sticky spell and he was out. But we're here to focus more on his playing career. I think we'll start early on really in 2005. Because he'd had a lot of speculation, hadn't he, about whether he was going to leave for Chelsea. I think Mourinho wanted to sign him.

[Dave]

Gerrard. Gerrard. Oh, what about that? That was really special from the Liverpool captain.

[Micah Richards]

That, Micah, is a volley.

[Alan Shearer]

Hold on.

[Host / Moderator]

That's a volley.

[Alan Shearer]

Are you starting this nonsense again? It's just bounced up for me.

[Micah Richards]

Go back on that H. Great volley.

[Dave]

That is not a volley, that's a half volley. It's bounced.

[Host / Moderator]

No, a half volley is when the ball's going up off the ground again.

[Alan Shearer]

What do you think That's a volley?

[Micah Richards]

I don't think.

[Host / Moderator]

I know it is a volley.

[Alan Shearer]

But how is that a volley though? Because.

[Host / Moderator]

Is bounced in the air.

[Alan Shearer]

But the technique is superb.

[Host / Moderator]

Well, let's put it this way, it's a hell of a bloody goal.

[Micah Richards]

That's one of the best volleys I've ever seen.

[Host / Moderator]

It's more than half. You can't call that half anything, can you?

[Micah Richards]

No way. That's a half volley. That is a great volley.

[Host / Moderator]

Are you a technique? Are you a volley half empty or a volley half full?

[Alan Shearer]

It's ridiculous.

[Host / Moderator]

It is. But it was interesting around that period, wasn't it? And I mean you were at Newcastle. It's slightly different because you had the chance to go perhaps to Manchester United before you went to Newcastle. You weren't already there. So it is slightly different. But there's that pull of your boyhood club against possibly winning more, which would have been the case, I suspect for Stevie, because he would have been in a very, very good Chelsea side under Mourinho. Whereas at that time at Liverpool it was not their best period. Latterly they were probably a stronger side when they just missed out on the title. But is there heartstrings over the head?

[Micah Richards]

No, there's definitely heart. But I think what also comes with that is extra pressure. The expectation of you because you're a local boy and it's your team, your area and everyone looks to you to be the difference. You know, when you go into the big games, it's you or you're the captain, you're the local boy. You have to do something to get us. And that comes with an extra pressure. But I don't think.

[Alan Shearer]

I mean, how close were you to going though, without trying to upset the Newcastle fans?

[Micah Richards]

You know, close to Man United. Oh, yeah. Before it was going to be either Newcastle or Man United. And I'd made the decision, really. Everything was. House was chosen. That was that far from choosing Keegan. Kevin asked for one last chat, ironically, in Manchester. Manchester Airport and said, could I have another half an hour with you? And. And I did. I just thought, what am I doing? I need. I just got to go back home. Go back to Newcastle where I left 10 years earlier. And so that. Yeah, it was really, really close. Yeah.

[Alan Shearer]

So it was Keegan who. Just that. That little chair.

[Micah Richards]

Yeah, just that little nudge of thinking.

[Host / Moderator]

Did you have the balls to call Sir Alex?

[Micah Richards]

I did. I thought it was the right thing to do.

[Alan Shearer]

Yeah.

[Micah Richards]

Was to ring. To ring Sir Alex. And so I rang him and there was no answer. So I thought, I have to speak to him. I rang him again, there was no answer. So I thought a third time. I have to.

[Host / Moderator]

Did he already know by this stage that you.

[Micah Richards]

I think he changed your mind. He must have had.

[Host / Moderator]

Otherwise he'd been answering.

[Micah Richards]

Otherwise he would have answered the phone. Yeah.

[Alan Shearer]

Yeah. But did you ring him properly? He like one. You like one bell someone. And put it down. Just.

[Dave]

I knew he was on.

[Micah Richards]

No, I rang him and I let it ring and ring and ring and there's no answer. I rang him again. I let it ring and ring and ring. No answer. So I thought the third time. And then it went on to answer for. And I thought, I have to leave a message. And it was like. And I thought, can you call me back?

[Alan Shearer]

There was no.

[Micah Richards]

Sorry, I just left a message and said, this is the situation. I thought it was the right thing. I'd speak to you. So if you would like to ring me back. And guess what?

[Host / Moderator]

He never did.

[Micah Richards]

He never ragged me back.

[Host / Moderator]

Well, Steven Jarrods was slightly different. Obviously there was a lot of talk about going. And obviously, I think, you know, football fans never really see the whole situation, do they? And I think it became very difficult to leave. And in the end, even though it looked like it was almost done, probably slightly different your circumstances, but similar in some ways. In the end, he didn't leave.

[Alan Shearer]

I'm glad he didn't leave, though.

[Host / Moderator]

17 years he ended up.

[Alan Shearer]

Yeah, but he might have won more at Chelsea at that time or Real Madrid, but it's absolute legend of the football club. And there were so many good players in Chelsea side. One of Many. But there's never going to be another Steven Gerrard at Liverpool. That's how good he is. That's the impact he has.

[Micah Richards]

I think when you go through that particular football club, Liverpool, and you look at the greats that have played there, and whenever you go through the lists, you will always get Steven Gerrard mentioned, I think that sort of tells you how good he is to be associated with the greats of that great club. Then you have to be something very special. And I think there's no doubt that he was.

[Alan Shearer]

There's rumours that the fans didn't allow him to leave, weren't there?

[Host / Moderator]

Well, that was always the rumour, whether there's any truth in that or no.

[Alan Shearer]

Imagine someone turning up at your house saying, you're not going anywhere, man.

[Dave]

All right, no problem.

[Host / Moderator]

That'll be fine.

[Gary Lineker]

No problem.

[Host / Moderator]

I'll stay there. I'll stay there. And he did stay, obviously. And because he stayed that season or the next season, of course, they went and won the Champions League. And that Istanbul night, I mean, he was the one that drove that comeback as well.

[Alan Shearer]

Definitely.

[Host / Moderator]

I mean, he really was. I mean, how they won that game is hard to explain even to this day, because Milan was so good. But he pulled them back into it.

[Alan Shearer]

Remember some of the players in that Milan side as well.

[Host / Moderator]

I know.

[Alan Shearer]

Oh, my God. Three nil down at halftime. And then he just. We talk about leadership. He's just got a different aura around him, you know, just when he's in the dressing room and whatnot, you're looking up to him. And I told a story about me borrowing his boots. Didn't. He's so selfless. But once he gets on that whack on the pitch, he's just.

[Micah Richards]

You borrowed his boots.

[Alan Shearer]

Yeah, I borrowed his boots, didn't I?

[Micah Richards]

Did you start pinging the ball? 40 and 50 yards across.

[Alan Shearer]

Unbelievable in training.

[Host / Moderator]

Get up.

[Dave]

I told you this story. No, I know you're lying.

[Alan Shearer]

I've told you this before.

[Host / Moderator]

It's just proof, really, that it was boots.

[Alan Shearer]

It was all in the boots, wasn't it? Yeah.

[Micah Richards]

Was it those Adidas? Predators. Predators, was it?

[Advertisement Voice 2]

Yeah.

[Alan Shearer]

There was eight and I think it was eight and a half as well. I was nine and a half.

[Dave]

I told you the story.

[Alan Shearer]

The kit man, remember?

[Micah Richards]

Yeah.

[Alan Shearer]

He left my boots. Well, he put two left in. He. And then I had to knock on.

[Host / Moderator]

He'd watch you play a lot, so.

[Alan Shearer]

That'S what he did.

[Dave]

And then I knocked on his and.

[Alan Shearer]

I was like, steve, sorry, mate. In my first England camp as well. Can I borrow your boots?

[Host / Moderator]

Your first England camp, you didn't have your boots.

[Alan Shearer]

I was unbelievable in that training session. You know what? I want to get footage of it.

[Dave]

I was unbelievable.

[Host / Moderator]

I want to see it. You want to see it. And it takes us on to our next moment. Just going on a bit. And it's just a penalty, actually. We've chosen in a victory for Liverpool at Old Trafford. But it was really about the era, wasn't it? This was Liverpool United's era, wasn't it?

[Micah Richards]

You know when you say it's just a penalty, I mean it's just a penalty at Old Trafford against your biggest rivals.

[Host / Moderator]

He won the penalty as well.

[Micah Richards]

And the vast majority of the ground are praying for you to miss it.

[Host / Moderator]

Definitely.

[Micah Richards]

Then you're under huge pressure.

[Alan Shearer]

Sticks it away. Look at him. Little turn. You know where he's going.

[Host / Moderator]

Now this is the famous one, which is why we've chosen it.

[Gary Lineker]

Obviously.

[Host / Moderator]

He kisses the camera.

[Micah Richards]

Yeah.

[Host / Moderator]

Kisses the badge.

[Micah Richards]

Yeah.

[Host / Moderator]

Guesses the camera. What iconic shot, that, wasn't it?

[Micah Richards]

You know that rivalry. Micah, you've obviously played for City. The rivalry, I guess, is bigger Man United Liverpool than it is Man United, Man City.

[Alan Shearer]

Yeah. Historically, because they would argue they're the two biggest clubs in England and they was always battling out, wouldn't they? But then Man City come to the scene. I would still say Liverpool, Man United, they'd say it's the biggest game. But when we won the league in 2011, 2012, do you remember the whole thing with Fergie, noisy neighbours and all that sort of thing. And we was just coming to our own then. And when we won the league, it was just.

[Host / Moderator]

I think it's one of the great strengths of the English league. I'll say English league, because I do believe football existed before the Premier League took place. But we've always had different times, different.

[Gary Lineker]

Right.

[Host / Moderator]

It's always the rivalries. But in terms of the domination of football clubs, there's. If you go to Spain, for example, it's nearly always, yeah, the two big boys, Real Madrid and Barcelona, you get occasional teams that will Atletica. But there's still not a massive rivalry over that period. Even in Italy, you know, Juve or the two Milan sides. But then if you go to the English league over different areas, you can go back to a time when it was Leeds Arsenal, things like that. Then it was Liverpool Arsenal and then over at different times, different. The era of Chelsea and Liverpool. Chelsea, Manchester United.

[Gary Lineker]

Arsenal.

[Host / Moderator]

Manchester United. That great period. And now we probably go, what. What would it be at the moment Liverpool, Manchester City in so in recent years. So I think that's one of the great strengths of our league is that even though there might be teams dominant in certain periods of a couple of clubs, but overall it does does seem to change from time to time.

[Alan Shearer]

Looks like it's changing now Man City, Arsenal, doesn't it?

[Host / Moderator]

Exactly. It could well be because we've gone through the Man City Liverpool period and now it does look like it might be might be Arsenal Man City.

[Alan Shearer]

Yeah.

[Host / Moderator]

Or Arsenal Man City and Liverpool and who knows, maybe want a. And you know, Chelsea could come back. You don't know. Whereas a lot of leagues it's always the same. You go to France, it's PSG and Times, it's one of the others, maybe occasionally like Monaco, Marseille.

[Micah Richards]

But that's the standard that you were chasing when City came onto the yeah, came onto the noisy neighbours, as Sir Alex said, is that that was the push to try and catch those, wasn't it?

[Host / Moderator]

Man United.

[Alan Shearer]

Man United were the best team in terms of not just on the field, off the field as well. They knew exactly what they needed to do, always had the best players, obviously had the greatest manager in the Premier League till pep came and they was the bar. They set the bar for everyone and it was always difficult because throughout the youth they was the best and then they go and win the title. So when we won the league in 2012, we just couldn't believe it. That's why we dropped off the season after they won it in in 2013, didn't they? And they didn't even have an amazing squad. It was just Fergie getting them over the line.

[Gary Lineker]

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[Host / Moderator]

I mean talking of rivalries, the Merseyside derby is always. I mean I know Liverpool have had the best of it for quite some time now, certainly since Stevie's day. And he scored a hat trick, didn't he? And a.

[Dave]

A Merseyside derby thwarted by the goalkeeper and Gerald scores.

[Host / Moderator]

I mean I was fortunate to play in three Merseyside Derbies and my one season at Everton.

[Micah Richards]

And what was the results?

[Host / Moderator]

11 lost two. Unfortunately one was the FA Cup Final. Scored in all three though. Alan.

[Alan Shearer]

Did you.

[Micah Richards]

You did your job then. So it wasn't my fault.

[Host / Moderator]

Wasn't my fault. I mean to score a hat trick in a Merseyside derby.

[Dave]

Quite tasty and still Suarez and Gerrard this time in front of the club doubles Liverpool's derby lead.

[Alan Shearer]

What was the atmosphere like back then? Was it similar to now?

[Host / Moderator]

Well, yeah, I mean even better I would say.

[Alan Shearer]

Would you say even better back then.

[Host / Moderator]

There'S tend to be more people in the grounds and stuff. You know in those days there was standing back then and all that so it was unbelievable atmosphere in the ground. So probably more fans.

[Alan Shearer]

What was the. What was it like though scoring in the derby? What was the feeling?

[Host / Moderator]

Well, I think Steven Gerrard knows quite.

[Dave]

Well Searching with Gerrard who can run at this now and lay it on for Suarez and Suarez for Gerrard. Hat trick in front of the club on derby night.

[Host / Moderator]

It's so special. So special because it's the game that means the most. Did you not score in Manchester Derby? Did you?

[Alan Shearer]

No, just assists.

[Host / Moderator]

You scored against.

[Alan Shearer]

Did my job.

[Host / Moderator]

Just assists.

[Alan Shearer]

Well, that's good.

[Host / Moderator]

Yeah, but it's. I don't know, it's like an ordinary goal. Times about five, probably.

[Alan Shearer]

And what's it like on afterwards? I know we.

[Host / Moderator]

Well, it depends whether you win or lose, doesn't it?

[Alan Shearer]

Yeah. The one that he won, he said.

[Host / Moderator]

The one I win at Anfield. Oh, that was amazing. Yeah, that was amazing.

[Micah Richards]

Can you imagine the feeling, though, for him, Gerard, then, scoring a hat trick? You're a kid growing up and you've seen all these greats playing in these derbies and then the local boy goes and then scores it. I think that probably the rivals.

[Host / Moderator]

I mean, it means even more if you're a local boy. I mean, you know that finish.

[Alan Shearer]

Definitely.

[Micah Richards]

I mean, definitely. Yeah. Because all you. Everyone who he's been. You've been brought up with and all the kids he used to knock around with at school and play on all those parks could only dream of playing in the derby, let alone scoring a hat trick in a derby.

[Alan Shearer]

So have you scored Hatrick in the derby?

[Micah Richards]

Not against Sunderland. I've scored against them and missed against them. Before you mention it, your score was there. My last ever touch of a football was against Sunderland.

[Alan Shearer]

I watched that the other night when I was watching them clips for some reason.

[Micah Richards]

But for the local lad to do that is bloody amazing.

[Host / Moderator]

As when talking about Steven Gerrard and his life in the Premier League, One of the moments, I mean, we have to pick is the slip.

[Dave]

Oh, and Gerald has slipped and timber Bar is through here for Chelsea. It's Bar. He scores in front of the cup. Catastrophe for the Liverpool skipper.

[Host / Moderator]

I mean, of all the players, for it to happen. I mean, that can happen to anyone at any point, that kind of slip.

[Micah Richards]

Yeah, but it lasts longer because we've spoke about all the positives of the local boy scoring a hat trick. Then you've got the other side of it, the horrible side of it. As in the local boy making an error which then turns into an error that costs the league. It's like. So you can imagine the hurt and the pain.

[Alan Shearer]

I was devastating.

[Host / Moderator]

There are two things. One, the slight missed control, then the slip. And then at the end, the ball going in and he's the one who goes and picks it out the net to take it to the kickoff.

[Alan Shearer]

The goalkeeper's got to help him out though. The ball goes through his legs.

[Dave]

Come out. Go back on that.

[Alan Shearer]

H, please let me just see that again. Go back, go back, go back, go back. Go back a bit, please. H than this. Look, he's obviously made a slip now.

[Dave]

Goalkeeper, come out. Help him. He's just stand there. Fucking starfish. Where's he supposed to go?

[Alan Shearer]

Keeper.

[Dave]

Oh my God. Come and help him out. He's allowed him to get set, get his touch.

[Micah Richards]

Who was the keeper?

[Dave]

Oh my God, was it Mininet?

[Micah Richards]

Oh.

[Alan Shearer]

Look at him. I was gutted for him then.

[Host / Moderator]

I was as well for him.

[Alan Shearer]

Devastated for him.

[Dave]

Yeah.

[Alan Shearer]

Could happen to anyone but him.

[Micah Richards]

Yeah.

[Alan Shearer]

Just cuz that was his moment. That was a time to win the Premier League.

[Host / Moderator]

Yeah.

[Alan Shearer]

And he just.

[Dave]

Goalkeeper. Why is he still there? Come out.

[Micah Richards]

I don't think you're an expert. Goalkeeper.

[Dave]

Look, his tongue's touched.

[Host / Moderator]

I think his position is all right. He's slightly unlucky. It's gone through his legs. No, the hurt and the pain that would have been. It ended up being pretty iconic moment. And then he had an emotional farewell at Anfield. I mean they lost the game and it really didn't. It wasn't about that, was it? Before he's transferred to LA Galaxy, had a little bit of a sabbatical in. In la. Family came out with him obviously.

[Alan Shearer]

Great send off on it.

[Host / Moderator]

Yeah.

[Dave]

Look at that.

[Micah Richards]

Captain deserved it.

[Host / Moderator]

A real leader as well. I mean, do you think you know that side of him as well?

[Micah Richards]

Well, you look up. I think when you see a leader you want sticky moments for a team. You need someone to stand up and that's. That's what he did when Liverpool needed him, didn't he? That Champions League and FA cup and all that. So amazing player you played with him on.

[Alan Shearer]

Skol. Sorry, just who was better?

[Micah Richards]

Not better.

[Dave]

Not better.

[Alan Shearer]

I don't want to say better.

[Gary Lineker]

Different.

[Micah Richards]

Yeah, so different. I mean, I mean they were both great players. They were great at what they did and they were both great at different things and could produce special moments when you, when you needed them as well, you know. But I don't know, that's too hard.

[Alan Shearer]

To say, isn't it?

[Micah Richards]

It is, yeah. They were both great players. I can.

[Host / Moderator]

It's the same as we. I mean we started it, we might as well finish it with this. But with. With which one and which two would you play and all this sort of stuff. But in those days you remember that with England they used to play the 442 and they used to stick one of them out on the left and it never really worked. And I think there might be a similar conundrum for. For Tuchel now in the thing, you can't fit everyone in, but if you put end up putting, however good they are, if you put a square peg in a round hole, it doesn't tend to work. So I think Tuchel gets that and he's almost said that. But I think what you could have done in those days is to adapt a system. I mean, it was Sven, really, wasn't it, at that point was a stickler for the old fashioned 4, 4, 2. And in that case, you can't play those three players. No, really change the system. Imagine in a 4, 3, 3. Now, you could easily play those two, couldn't you?

[Dave]

You could play.

[Host / Moderator]

I mean, imagine Scholes as a honing player and Lampard and Gerrard as two, eight. I mean, really. I mean, I used to do my Eddie and they used to say, well, they can't, they can't. Yes, you can. If you change your system slightly. But nowadays with different systems, you can do that. Obviously, with England at present, there's probably a little bit. It's going to be difficult. Yeah, but what a problem to have. I mean, is it, though?

[Alan Shearer]

Is it a problem? Is it a good problem to have?

[Host / Moderator]

Yes, it's better than having no talent. Mike, I trust you. You can't win with.

[Alan Shearer]

No, we play Bellingham, Rogers, Foden, they all want to play the same position.

[Micah Richards]

Palmer.

[Dave]

Palmer.

[Alan Shearer]

This will be difficult.

[Host / Moderator]

I think he's strong enough to go. This is what we're doing and that's it. You buy it, you don't buy it. And I think that it's about trying to win it.

[Alan Shearer]

Yeah, but even if they don't win, he should have put in, you know.

[Host / Moderator]

But everyone will do that and that's how it is. But if you're winning, it's fine. That's all you got to do is win. Steven Gerrard did a lot of winning as well. He didn't win the league with Liverpool, but I remember it also just going back quickly. I was in Cardiff when the West Ham final. That goal. Yeah, that goal. He scored there. He got cramped, he was down with cramp. And then he somehow gets up and hits that thunderous goal from 30 yards or something to get them into extra time. I mean, to equalise in the last minute. And then they got through and they won a penalty shootout. That was another one of his many victories. I think we can all agree, whether we say he's the greatest midfield player in Premier League. History, or you can have a difference of opinion. One thing we can say categorically, he was one of the best, correct? Not just midfield players, any player. Any kind of player. Okay, that's it for this special episode. Goodbye from me.

[Alan Shearer]

Goodbye from me.

[Micah Richards]

Goodbye from me.

[Dave]

It.