Liverpool FC Forum

[joaruna]

hi,i come from belgium...and i like Liverpool because it's my favourite team!and i speak a little English,and i would like to have your msn adress to share my passion with someone like me ! thx

[Ciggy]

Goeden avond welkom aan de forum jaruna
ga naar de introductie forum en maak en post, dit gaat alleen over Steven Gerrard

[LFC #1]

isn't that Dutch Lynds?

I thought Belgians spoke Flemish?

[112-1077774096]

ahhhh bless him, stevie is a big softy, this is from the sunday mirror


 

THE fiancee of England soccer star Steven Gerrard has spoken for the first time about their love.

Alex Curran says the tough-tackling Liverpool midfielder is a hopeless romantic, who loves being a hands-on dad. And she reveals the truth about her friendship with fellow England hero Wayne Rooney's bride-to-be Coleen McLoughlin.

Posing for our exclusive photoshoot Alex, 22, looks elegant and sexy. She and Steven have been together since 2002 and they became engaged a year ago, just days after their daughter Lilly-Ella was born.

Alex recalls: "When we got back from hospital, Steven told me he had a surprise - he had tucked an engagement ring in the folds of the baby's blanket and I found the box. I opened it to see this amazing diamond engagement ring. It's a beautiful ring with a rock in the middle and heart-shaped diamonds on each side, but what I love about it the most is that he designed it himself."

As we talk, the amazing diamond ring sparkles on her finger. But Alex says being a footballer's fiancee isn't all diamonds and glamorous parties.

"My life is nothing like the Footballers' Wives on TV. It's not all celebrity parties and trendy clubs. I spend my days looking after my daughter and tidying the house, cooking and ironing. People expect me to have an army of helpers and nannies but it's just me - although my mum and Steven's mum are a massive support."

Alex, from the Norris Green area of Liverpool, and Steven met in nightclub Reds in the city three years ago. She says: "Steven got my mobile number from a friend and came round to my mum's house to see me. We sat on the couch together not saying very much. To be honest, I couldn't wait for him to go - I was so embarrassed.

"I didn't really consider what it would be like being a footballer's girlfriend. I just knew I liked Steven. He seemed really down to earth.

"Despite it being a bit awkward, I knew he was 'The One'. I knew it then and there. He seemed a lovely person and I just knew I wanted to be with him."

On their first date a day later, at a local restaurant, Alex sat nervously sipping wine. She adds: "Steven was dead cocky. He's very confident and funny. I was drinking wine to try to steady my nerves but by the end of the evening we were dancing in a bar together.

"We got a taxi home and he dropped me off at my mum's house and gave me a goodnight kiss."

From that moment on, the couple have been inseparable. Seven months later, they moved into a beautiful home together near Crosby, Merseyside.

Alex says: "When he was looking to move house, he announced to me 'Well, you know you are moving in too'. He never really asked. I think he was too embarrassed but we ended up moving in together to the new home."

The pair discovered Alex was pregnant after her 21st birthday party. They had just returned from a family holiday in Portugal.

"Steven couldn't wait to tell everyone. It's what we wanted but we were both surprised how quickly it happened. He called his mum straight away. Everyone was over the moon. I was only six weeks gone but we were bursting to tell all our close family and friends."

The soccer star was also by her side during the six-hour labour at their local hospital.

"He said I kept asking him for cream cakes during the labour. I was starving! We didn't go private and I didn't want a caesarean section. When Lilly-Ella was born Steven cut the cord. He had a lump in his throat and it was an amazing moment. She was tiny with lots of hair. She had little pouting lips. She was only 7lb 1oz - I was 11lb when I was born!

"I was convinced it was going to be a boy. We had picked the name Georgie. We didn't have a girl's name chosen but Steven said he liked Lilly and I liked Ella and that's how we picked it. Steven's a very hands-on dad. From the beginning he was changing nappies and taking Lilly-Ella out for walks in her pram.

"We try not to spoil her too much. She's not dressed head-to-toe in designer babywear. She's just had her first birthday and is crawling everywhere - she'd just ruin the clothes.

"For her birthday, we had a tea party for 35 children at our home. It was mad.

"We bought her a little silver Mercedes which she'll be able to drive soon - she's too small to reach the pedals at the moment.

"We are hoping to have a little brother or sister for Lilly in a year or so but at the moment she keeps me pretty busy. I think Steven would be happy with about five more but I think I'd like three."

In recent weeks, Alex has found herself pictured alongside Wayne Rooney's girlfriend Coleen McLoughlin with claims of rivalry between them in the style stakes.

Former nail technician Alex rolls her eyes. "It's rubbish to say that we don't get on. Actually, we are friends. Coleen's a lovely girl. I became quite close to her when we went away on England trips together.

"It must be tough for her to get so much criticism. But all this stuff about a rivalry between us is rubbish.

"In fact, we both laugh about it when we see each other." Alex insists her clothes style is not copied from Coleen's.

"Yes we dress a bit alike - we are from the same area and around the same age with similar lives. We're bound to go to the same shops and even occasionally end up buying thesame things."

She adds: "I wear designer clothes but I also wear High Street stuff too. Sometimes you can't beat a top from TopShop or H&M."

Steven from Huyton, Merseyside, made his Liverpool debut in 1998 and has 32 England caps under his belt.

"He'd love to be captain of England one day," says Alex. "He's captain of Liverpool and he takes that responsibility very seriously - he knows he's a role model to lots of kids."

Alex does enjoy rubbing shoulders with other footballers' wives at England matches.

"At the Euro 2004 championships in Portugal all the wives and girlfriends had a great time. There was no bitchiness or rivalry.

"Victoria Beckham was brilliant fun. We all stayed at the same place. All the children were playing together in the pool and there was a great atmosphere"

"Sven Goran Eriksson's girlfriend Nancy Dell'Olio organised everyone. We would go out shopping or to eat together and spend the days reading magazines by the pool. Alex says watching matches together can be a nail-biting experience.

"Some of the girls were panicky whenever their boyfriends made a small mistake. I do get nervous watching Steven play big games. I know one silly mistake can turn people against you,but I worry more about him being injured."

features@sundaymirror.co.uk

- Alex was not paid for this interview. Instead the Sunday Mirror is making a donation to Alder Hey Children's Hospital, Liverpool.

too much writing peewee

edit it please sir 

no judge, i find that by reading twice as fast i can finish the article in half the time     

[bentay9]

Found this article on Soccernet... Getting tired of hearing all these things about Gerrard...

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/headlinenews?id=327814&cc=4716

Liverpool anger over Gerrard claim


Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez retained his dignity as the Chelsea 'tapping up' saga threatened to engulf his captain Steven Gerrard.
The Reds face two matches in six days which will dictate their season, starting with the visit of FA Cup semi-finalists Blackburn and then neighbours Everton arriving on Sunday.


But Benitez was clearly distressed the Premier League's investigation into the 'tapping up' allegations levelled at Chelsea over Ashley Cole could now involve Gerrard.

The England midfielder has long been the subject of speculation he could be heading to Stamford Bridge in the summer and Cole's evidence to the inquiry is believed to include claims he was told by Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho Gerrard had already been 'secured' for next season.

Liverpool made it clear they will not be lodging a complaint over the latest twist in the Gerrard affair and Benitez tried hard to brush aside the latest speculation.

'It is important we just concentrate on the games,' said the exasperated Spaniard.

'When you hear things that you do not like I always say the same, Steven will play for us, he is our player and he wants to play as well as possible. It is the only thing we have in our heads.

'We won't talk about rumours, only about the next game with Blackburn and the points we want to win.

'We do not talk about the things you read in the papers or see on TV. As far as I am concerned Gerrard is with us and we have an important game for us and that is what I want to talk about.'

Benitez is more concerned with keeping Gerrard focused on Liverpool's bid to make up the eight-point gap on Everton as they seek to snatch fourth place from their neighbours, while also maintaining their interest in this season's Champions League.

He said: 'I try to talk to Stevie every day, mainly after training sessions, and he always says to me he is focused on the games and wants to do his best for Liverpool. I ask him whether he is confident and you can see in him that is the case.

'He knows he played better in the last game and that is what I want for the future for him to just concentrate on the games. Nothing else.

'He knew he had not played to his best level in recent games but against Leverkusen last week he played well and that is what we want to see from him, if he plays well then we play well.'

Victory in their two home matches this week will cut Everton's advantage to just two points but in between there is the distraction of the Champions League quarter-final draw on Friday.

'With the Champions League draw coming up we have been determined just to concentrate on the Premier League, we try not to think about Europe, rather what we have to do in the league over the next few days,' said Benitez.

'We have a tough game against Blackburn and we know it will be difficult and we must concentrate on that.

'I know everybody says we play better in Champions League games than in our own domestic matches, and it is true we play well in Europe.

'But we have also played well in Premier League games against the likes of Chelsea and Arsenal, big games, so the target it to be more consistent and to play at the same level all the time.

'We have talked a lot about such things and I say to the players that if we have done well in games in Europe then we can do the same here, all we need to do is to concentrate.

'We know how important this week is for us, and we will try to do what we do in Europe in all our games.'
[B]

[rinoayuna]

if stevie wants to go,i believe that we should let him as his heart will no longer be here.when he leaves,(which is very evident he would have slammed all the rumours and speak out like jamie if not)we should just remember what he has done for us and thank him for that

[adamnbarrett]

I think Stevie G has bin a gr8 servant to the club but it seems he is playing for his transfer at the moment. He used to wear his heart on his sleeve and nothin mattered except the badge on his shirt, at the moment this passion seems to have gone. Maybe he is thinking about bigger things (premiership and champions league) and with the current squad we can't achieve that. He is not bigger than the club.

[dward]

Isn't Gerrard supposed to be going to Chelsea? Seeing as he's already scored for them.   I hope he's not going to leave if his hearts still in Liverpool...  
We could have won the Carling cup final if he hadn't done that... but mistakes happen - he's still a quality player

[jonnymac1979]

Steven Gerrard Interview on BBC Football Focus

[Ciggy]

Steven Gerrard Interview on BBC Football Focus

I reckon hes stayin

[andy_g]

no one has said it yet so i will. gerrard was outstanding in the derby yesterday and as some sports journalists have pointed out, he set the tempo with the tackle on pistone in the first couple of minutes. yesterday he was a joy to watch.

[stmichael]

alan hansen wrote an excellent piece on gerrard in today's telegraph. he pretty much summed up what everyone is feeling. i am positive that stevie wants to stay at this club but if we miss out on the champions league i think he'll move on.

some of the criticism i feel he has received this season from the local media and journalists has been unjust in my opinion. the player himself has admits that he hasn't been performing consistently but you need to remember that his great performances have nearly always been in the big games. i am talking about olympiakos and arsenal at home and bayer leverkusen away.

[107-1111347541]

hello

[fivecups]

no one has said it yet so i will. gerrard was outstanding in the derby yesterday and as some sports journalists have pointed out, he set the tempo with the tackle on pistone in the first couple of minutes. yesterday he was a joy to watch.

Is true.

The timing of some of his tackling was immense. He was more fired up than I've seen for a long time - it would have been good to see that sort of passion against Chelsea - but I agree - brilliant.

[Judge]

ive always maintained he'd be staying.

loves the club and bites the badge in ecstacy when scoring on sunday


come on Stevie G, glad you are finally silencing some of the idiots