Liverpool's Steven Gerrard will be a key player in the FA Cup final

Steven Gerrard is a key player for Liverpool

If Liverpool are to beat overwhelming favourites Chelsea in Saturday’s FA Cup final, then talismanic captain Steven Gerrard will have to produce another yet another inspirational performance for his side.

He is no stranger to carrying his teammates with him when the odds are stacked against them. The midfielder is a legend on Merseyside since he made his debut in 1998, and nearly 600 games and 150 goals later, his impact his still massive.

It hasn’t been all entirely plain sailing though, and he has twice come close to leaving Anfield, with Chelsea his potential destination, lucrative deals twice being rejected by Liverpool in 2004 and 2005.

Gerrard is also no stranger to FA Cup final heroics, scoring in the last minute of the 2006 final to level proceedings with West Ham, before the Reds went on to win on penalties. While being quite injury prone in recent times, the captain is still a major threat to any side he comes up against.

His ability to score brilliant long range goals is only half of the story. He would run through a brick wall for his team, his leadership qualities second to none in the premier league. He has a fantastic passing range, can pinpoint a cross onto a teammate’s head and is generally a big game player, having seen most of what the game has to offer.

If Luis Suarez and Gerrard have the game of their career to date, then maybe, just maybe, Liverpool can upset the odds come Saturday afternoon.

Click above to see a video showcasing some of the Liverpool captain’s best goals.