Having taken full advantage last term of Jamie Redknapp's enforced absence from the side through injury, Gerrard is set to play a key role in the engine room of Gérard Houllier's ever improving side.

Another product of the Liverpool Academy who has made incredible progress since making his debut against Spanish side Celta Vigo in November 1998. Versatile enough to have played at right back, Gerrard's performances in both defence and midfield brought him to the attention of England boss Kevin Keegan and a call up to the national squad for Euro 2000.

His showing against Germany - and club colleague Dietmar Hamann - in the competition merely confirmed to a worldwide audience the youngster's huge potential for the future. Tough tackling and with great passing vision, Gerrard made 31 appearances for the Reds last season scoring his first goal for the club with a typically determined charge through the Sheffield Wednesday defence.