Gerrard spearheading Liverpool momentum (ESPN article)

by Dave Usher for ESPN

As Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard channeled his "inner Yossi Benayoun" with a dramatic last-gasp winner versus Fulham at Craven Cottage, even the most sceptical, pragmatic, disbelieving of Kopites must have thought -- even if just for the faintest of moments -- that "maybe, just maybe, this could be our year."

Late Gerrard goals have led to silverware before, of course. Liverpool were in danger of being eliminated from the Champions League at the group stage back in December 2004 until Neil Mellor's cushioned header was spectacularly lashed into the Kop net by Gerrard. The Reds famously went on to win the competition that season, but without that late goal from Gerrard against Olympiakos months earlier, it would not have been possible.

The following season, Liverpool were trailing 3-2 to West Ham United in the FA Cup final at the Millennium Stadium. With almost the last kick of normal time, Gerrard struck an unerring half-volley into the bottom corner from 35 yards out and Liverpool went on to triumph after a penalty shootout. He may be entering the twilight years of his career, but it seems that Gerrard is still capable of nipping off into the nearest phone box, donning his Superman costume and saving the day for Liverpool.

Gerrard is Anfield's own man of steel. Time and again he has delivered when under the utmost pressure, and if Liverpool were to somehow upset the odds and finish top of the pile this season, his nerveless conversion of that stoppage-time penalty kick at Fulham may well be looked back on as being the pivotal moment -- the Olympiakos moment, if you like.

We're a long way off knowing just how important Gerrard's spot kick will be, of course, but it sure felt pretty important when he lined up to take it. I could barely bring myself to watch; it felt like the entire season was on the line even though, in reality, it obviously wasn't as there's an awful lot of football still to be played.

By converting that high-pressure kick, Gerrard ensured the growing momentum being built up by the Reds was not halted in its tracks. Having made such an emphatic statement against top-of-the-table Arsenal at the weekend, the last thing Liverpool wanted was to fail to beat bottom club Fulham a few days later. Psychologically, that would have been a big blow, not just to Liverpool's outside chances of winning the title, but also to their hopes of a top-four spot. With Spurs trouncing hapless Newcastle at St James' Park, the gap would have been closed to just a single point had Gerrard not buried that penalty. If he was feeling pressure, he certainly didn't show it.

Read the full article here.