Gerrard said: “I think I have matured as a player.

“I don’t go into stupid tackles any more or make silly decisions.

“Obviously I still make mistakes, every player does because we’re human, but I would like to think I’ve limited the amount. Getting the captains’ armband at such a young age has helped me mature into a good professional off the pitch too.

“I try to learn from my mistakes to make me a better person and player.”

It was Gerard Houllier who allowed Gerrard to fulfil his childhood dream of leading Liverpool out when the Frenchman handed him the armband in October 2003.

Gerrard replaced Sami Hyypia as club captain in what he describes as a ‘life changing moment’.

“To get told you are going to be captain of Liverpool at such a young age was a massive change for me,” he said.

“I knew people would start looking at me differently on and off the pitch, and that has certainly happened. My performances were scrutinised even more, but becoming captain is what I had always wanted and dreamt of.

“I have to take the good and bad of being a captain, but I wouldn’t change it for anything.

“Getting the armband was a career changing moment and a life changing moment too.”

Gerrard is now just 15 games behind his boyhood hero Kenny Dalglish on the club’s list of all-time appearances.

For some time now, people have spoken of the pair in the same breath as two of Liverpool’s greatest ever players.

With his career still in full swing however, Gerrard is reluctant to accept such high praise just yet and suggests judgement should be reserved until he finally hangs up his boots.

“I don’t think I am a Liverpool legend,” he insists.

“You can only call players legends when they’ve finished and you look back on their careers and they’ve been successful or a top player throughout.

“A lot of people give the legendary status out too early for my liking.

“I don’t see myself as a legend. I see the likes of Dalglish, Hansen and Rush as legends. They have been there and done it.

“Hopefully one day I can look back on what I’ve achieved and can say I’m a part of the legends at this club, but I certainly wouldn’t put myself in that bracket now.”