Football: Steven Gerrard's five greatest games

Faced with the prospect of a humiliating defeat after falling 3-0 behind against an inspired AC Milan, Liverpool overcame almost insurmountable odds to win their first European Cup for 21 years thanks to Gerrard, whose never-say-die efforts in the Ataturk Stadium ensured he would forever be regarded as an Anfield icon. In the signature moment of Gerrard's glittering career, the midfielder, who admitted he was certain Liverpool would lose at half-time, helped orchestrate a comeback for the ages, reducing the deficit with a header before winning the penalty that led to Xabi Alonso's equaliser as Rafael Benitez's side scored three times in five incredible minutes. The Reds completed their astonishing triumph in a penalty shoot-out, leaving Gerrard to experience "the best moment of my life" as he lifted the trophy.

Just 12 months after his heroics in Istanbul, Gerrard added to his growing legend by single-handedly winning another piece of silverware in a final destined to be remembered for his majestic contribution. Trailing 2-0 after a woeful start at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium, Liverpool were dragged back into the match on the strength of Gerrard's talent and tenacity. He set up Djibril Cisse to reduce the deficit before equalising himself, only for the Hammers to regain the lead. The Reds were seconds away from a painful defeat when Gerrard struck again with a blistering 25-yard drive to force extra-time, with Liverpool going on to win in a penalty shoot-out that inevitably featured a successful spot-kick from the captain.

When Rivaldo gave the Greeks a shock lead at Anfield in a decisive group stage clash, it appeared Benitez's team were destined for a lacklustre exit. But Gerrard rose to the occasion with an unmatchable fervour that inspired an epic fightback. Goals from Florent Sinama Pongolle and Neil Mellor put Liverpool within a solitary strike of progressing to the knockout stages, setting the stage for Gerrard to fire home with a sweetly-struck shot from just outside the penalty area in the 86th minute. It was a moment destined to go into Anfield folklore as Liverpool went on to become European champions for a fifth time that season.

Entering the twilight of his career, Gerrard was struggling to silence the critics who claimed he was past his best. But the sight of Merseyside rivals Everton typically brought the best out of the boyhood Liverpool fan and that was the case again at Anfield as he scored a hat-trick in a 3-0 win that was just reward for a virtuoso performance. It was also the first hat-trick in a Merseyside derby since Ian Rush scored four in the Reds' 5-0 win at Goodison Park in 1982, and the first at Anfield since Fred Howe achieved the feat for Liverpool in 1935.