Steven Gerrard was never one to hide from a big moment, and the penalty spot was no exception. The Liverpool captain took penalties in FA Cup finals, on Champions League nights and in Premier League matches that decided a lot,, always keen to take them.
When Liverpool needed someone to step up, Gerrard picked up the ball.
How good was Gerrard from the spot?
Good enough for a place on this list, and better than you might expect for a midfielder. He was not a specialist in the way some of the names further up are. He was a leader who happened to be very good from 12 yards.
- In the 2006 FA Cup final against West Ham he scored from the spot, one of several important penalties in FA Cup finals
- His penalty record in competitive matches was above 75%
- He also scored penalties for England in World Cup qualifiers, when the pressure was at its peak
- His style was power: he tended to hit the ball as hard as he could and let the goalkeeper worry about it
A captain who wants the ball in the tensest moments of the biggest games is worth a great deal. Gerrard was that captain for years.
Tomorrow: number 28.
