Gerrard's Emotional Rollercoaster Led to 'Head Like a Box of Frogs' in 2005

Steven Gerrard reflects on his 2005 Champions League win with Liverpool and how Rafael Benitez's criticism left him feeling unwanted.

Gerrard's Best Night Turns into Departure Drama When Steven Gerrard looks back at the 2005 Champions League final, he calls it the best night of his life. However, just two months later, he announced his departure from Liverpool, only to dramatically change his mind overnight. Gerrard acknowledges he was in a bad place mentally, with a head like a box of frogs. He believes criticism from then-manager Rafael Benitez contributed to his potential departure from his boyhood club. ## Gerrard's Emotional Turmoil Amid Interest from Real Madrid and Chelsea Gerrard captained Liverpool to a famous victory over AC Milan in the 2005 Champions League final, coming from 3-0 down at halftime to win on penalties and clinch the club's fifth European Cup. The moment was hoped to convince Gerrard to commit his future to Liverpool amid interest from Spanish giants Real Madrid and Premier League champions Chelsea. Six weeks later, Gerrard announced his departure, only to reconsider his decision. ## Mourinho's Tempting Offers and Gerrard's Loyalty to Liverpool Gerrard reveals that Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho called him, offering silly contracts that would naturally turn his head. Gerrard felt like he didn't know which way to go, with Mourinho's success at Chelsea a major factor. Gerrard's loyalty to Liverpool was tested, and he ultimately decided to stay with the club he loves. ## Jamie Carragher Weighs in on Benitez's Coaching Style Gerrard's former teammate Jamie Carragher believes that Gerrard 'probably needed an arm around his shoulder.' Carragher thinks that Rafael Benitez's coaching style, which was very unemotional, didn't help Gerrard during his time at Liverpool. Carragher describes Benitez's training methods as 'a bit weird,' with no ball and cones on the pitch. ## Benitez's Attention to Detail Pays Off in Istanbul Benitez acknowledges that he likes to analyze things in detail, which paid off during the penalty shootout in Istanbul. He kept extensive notes on where AC Milan's players liked to put their spot-kicks, using a code to divide the goal into six squares. Jerzy Dudek saved two penalties, including the decisive one from Andriy Shevchenko. ## Chaos in the Liverpool Dressing Room at Half-Time Dietmar Hamann's half-time introduction helped turn the game, as Liverpool scored three goals in six second-half minutes. The Reds switched from four at the back to three, with Hamann and Xabi Alonso as holding midfielders and Gerrard given more freedom to go forward. Carragher describes the half-time period as chaotic, with players unsure of who was coming on and who was going off. ## Benitez's Reflection on the 2005 Champions League Final Benitez reflects on the 2005 Champions League final, saying it taught him a lesson. He realized that while it's essential to play with your head, you must never forget to play with your heart. Benitez believes that his attention to detail paid off during the penalty shootout, allowing Liverpool to win the title. ## Meeting Benitez Didn't Convince Owen to Stay A year before Gerrard's transfer saga, Michael Owen left Liverpool in August 2004 to join Real Madrid. Benitez flew to Portugal to meet Owen, Gerrard, and Carragher, but his conversation didn't convince Owen to stay. Gerrard describes Benitez's approach as intense, with the manager telling Owen he needed to learn to 'turn on the ball quicker.' ## Benitez's Training Methods Were 'Weird' Carragher describes Benitez's training methods as 'a bit weird,' with no ball and cones on the pitch. Benitez acknowledges that he likes to go into detail in his coaching, analyzing things by just one centimeter. Jerzy Dudek says Benitez had kept extensive notes on where AC Milan's players liked to put their spot-kicks, using a code to divide the goal into six squares.