Steven Gerrard urges Liverpool to seize the moment ahead of Champions League final

Steven Gerrard has told Liverpool’s players to go out and change their lives by winning the Champions League final in Kiev on Saturday evening. 

Liverpool face two-time defending champions Real Madrid in the Ukrainian capital as they bid to win the European Cup for the first time since Gerrard led the remarkable comeback over AC Milan in Istanbul 13 years ago.

And the last Liverpool captain to lift the trophy has released an emotional statement urging the current crop to seize the moment when they take to the field in Kiev. 

‘These players have an opportunity to not just change their careers but their lives in general. They are the moments that you dream of,’ Gerrard told Liverpool’s official website.

‘My message to the players would be: go and grasp it, go and seize the moment you have worked so hard for. Go and reward yourselves for the journey you have taken this club on.’

‘You’ve got to go in with the belief and confidence; you have come this far,’ he added. ‘You’ve got to handle the responsibility of being a Liverpool player and you’ve got to go and deliver.

Gerrard has told Liverpool’s players to seize the moment ahead of Saturday’s final in Kiev

‘You’ll get plaudits and praise for getting where you are but not many people remember it if you don’t get over the line and deliver.

‘I’m still really good friends with ex-teammates in that team that I played with and I know what it would mean for them. I just hope they go and do it.’

Gerrard scored in the Istanbul final as Liverpool came back from three goals down against AC Milan before winning in a penalty shoot-out. 

And he also tasted defeat in the same stage and against the same opponents just two years later when Liverpool were beaten 2-1 by Milan in Athens. 

(L-R) Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah and Roberto Fimino are key to Liverpool’s chances in Kiev

Jurgen Klopp’s men have returned from their training camp in Marbella as they step up their preparations for the final at Kiev’s NSC Olumpiyskiy Stadium. 

And Gerrard, who recently took up his first managerial position at Rangers, has warned Liverpool to maintain their focus despite all the hype around the game.  

‘It’s important that they try to blank it out if they can,’ said Gerrard. ‘It’s difficult but just make sure your preparation is spot-on, you get your sleep and the right food, and everything goes well. 

‘It’s tough, because of the magnitude of the game: it’s the biggest game you’ll play in as a Liverpool player.’