Gerrard: Playing for Liverpool always means something
Steven Gerrard expects pulling on the red shirt of Liverpool to mean as much as ever when he runs out for the club's Legends team in Sydney.
The Scouse midfielder will wear the Liver bird once more when a collection of Reds heroes face an Australian Legends XI at ANZ Stadium on January 7 (with tickets still available here).
It will be the first time he has done so since bidding Anfield an emotional farewell to head for LA Galaxy at the conclusion of the 2014-15 campaign.
Gerrard won't be letting the friendly nature of the fixture dampen his competitive edge, however, and insists representing Liverpool is motivation enough for him.
"I'm very excited. I want to enjoy Christmas first and New Year but as soon as that’s over with I’ll be relishing the chance to get over to Australia, put that red shirt back on and hopefully perform well for the Legends.
"There’s a lot of pressure on me I think!
"I think I’ll feel exactly the same. When I used to wear the Liverpool kit from the age of eight to 17 before I made my professional debut it’s always meant the same, whether it be a competitive game or a friendly.
"So I’m going to be up for this game and I want to play well and I don’t want to let any of my teammates down."
The trip down under represents an opportunity for Gerrard to link up with fellow Istanbul heroes Luis Garcia, Vladimir Smicer, John Arne Riise and Jamie Carragher.
But it is two prolific goalscorers from another glorious era in the club's history that the former No.8 is most looking forward to playing alongside.
He added: "I think it has to be Aldo [John Aldridge] and Rushie [Ian Rush] because they are two who I haven’t played with, two centre-forwards who are heroes of mine who I grew up watching many, many videos of.
"I’d have loved to have played in their era with the runs they used to make and the movement they had, they would have turned me into an assist king.
"It would have been a dream to have played with them of course.
"Obviously the ages [now] are a bit different but I’m looking forward to playing with them in this game and hopefully we can connect.
"When you are a player at this level you love being around quality and although the lads are getting on a little bit I’m sure they’ve still got some movements and some moves on the pitch.
"As I say just to be able to tell people and for people to see I’ve played with Ian Rush and John Aldridge will be a dream come true for me."
To secure your tickets for what is sure to be an unforgettable match, click here.