That goal also meant he completed his set of scoring in the four major cup finals English footballers can qualify for, something no English-based player had ever done.

In December 2006 he was awarded an MBE, while last season he was voted Football Writers’ Player of the Year for the first time in his career.

In their nomination, UEFA said: “Liverpool’s captain may not have ended the season with silverware but it was not through want of trying as the Merseysiders pushed Manchester United FC harder than for many years.

“Gerrard shone in a second-striker role behind Fernando Torres, hitting 24 goals – seven of them in the UEFA Champions League plus a career-best 16 in the Premier League.

“The highlight of his campaign was the week in March when he struck twice in a 4-0 rout of Real Madrid CF then found the net again as Liverpool crushed United 4-1 at Old Trafford.”

The list in full:

Goalkeepers: Petr Cech (Chelsea), Victor Valdes (Barcelona), Edwin van der Sar (Manchester United)

Defenders: Gerard Pique (Barcelona), John Terry (Chelsea), Nemanja Vidic (Manchester United)

Midfielders: Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Xavi Hernandez (Barcelona) and Andres Iniesta (Barcelona).

Forwards: Samuel Eto’o and Lionel Messi (both Barcelona), Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United)