Super-heroes upstaged as punk Gerrard steals show

Dec 14 2006 By Alan Weston, Liverpool Daily Post Staff

LIVERPOOL FC captain Steven Gerrard caused a sensation off the pitch when he turned up for the club's Christmas fancy dress party in full punk regalia.

While most of his team-mates opted for super-hero costumes, the midfielder sported an orange wig, along with a studded dog collar, outlandish tartan pants and an array of bizarre jewellery.

Similarly imaginative was towering striker Peter Crouch, who arrived at the event wearing a parrot costume.

New recruit Dirk Kuyt, experiencing his first Christmas bash in England, sported a Superman outfit, while vice captain Jamie Carragher was happy to show off his Spiderman costume.

One unnamed member of the squad caused a stir when he arrived dressed in a home-made Spitting Image-type mask to appear as the former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein.

The mystery man refused to be seen with his mask off and ran into the venue, dodging photographers on the way.

The party was held at The Place, owned by former Reds star John Aldridge, in Victoria Street.

An insider said: "All the players were really looking forward to the Christmas bash and when everyone arrived at the venue, they definitely let their hair down.

"It definitely wasn't a night for the faint-hearted."