Miracle in Istanbul: Steven Gerrard went from career high to ‘head like a box of frogs’

When Steven Gerrard reflected on the 2005 Champions League final, he He called it the best night of his life., outsider

But just two months later, he announced he was leaving Liverpool – early Dramatically changed his mind overnight.

During a Netflix documentary about the Reds’ success in Istanbul, Gerrard admitted he was in a “bad place” mentally with his head like a “box of frogs”.

And he says criticism of then manager Rafael Benitez contributed to his potential exit from his boyhood club.

In May 2005, Gerrard led Liverpool to perhaps the most famous victory in their storied history as they came from 3–0 down at half-time to win on penalties against AC Milan and win the club’s fifth European Cup.

It was a moment fans hoped would see Gerrard commit his future to Liverpool amid interest from Spanish giants Real Madrid and Premier League champions Chelsea, who were managed by Jose Mourinho at the time.

Six weeks later, Gerrard announced that he was leaving. He was not then.

“Mourinho was on the phone – the best manager in the world at the time, offering stupid contracts, which would naturally make your head spin. Chelsea were spending fortunes, he was guaranteed success there,” he said.

“I can’t park my relationship with Liverpool. When they came, I didn’t know which way to go. Mentally, I was in a bad place. My head was like a box of frogs.”

Benitez’s behavior didn’t help.

“I felt like he didn’t value me, he didn’t trust me, he didn’t want me,” says Gerard, 45.

“I’ve always been clear that I want to be a Liverpool player and only a Liverpool player, but with that doubt and that coldness and being part of a team where you don’t believe you can compete at the top, that’s when your head spins.”

Gerrard’s former team-mate Jamie Carragher thinks Gerrard “probably needed a hand on his shoulder”.

“Rafa Benitez was never going to do it,” said the Sky Sports pundit. “He’s very emotional.”

Throughout the documentary, former players describe how Benitez’s criticism and obsession with granular tactical details sometimes became irritating.

Gerard, in particular, felt this.

“My game was…passion, passion, desire, commitment, for the badge, for the (liver) bird, for the family,” he says. “It was in me and I felt that he really wanted to rebuild me.

“Nothing will satisfy him.”

Benitez, 66, defended his view.

“When I joined Liverpool, there was a culture based on emotion,” he says. “Football requires more than that. If you’re really passionate, you’re not going to find success.”

Time has been a healer – and Gerrard is now able to appreciate the Spaniard’s approach.

“I look back at Rafa and think he’s the best coach I’ve ever worked with,” he said.