STEVEN GERRARD MADE a dream start to his Major League Soccer career last night, scoring on his full debut as the Los Angeles Galaxy came from behind to beat the San Jose Earthquakes 5-2 in the California Clasico.
But Ireland skipper Robbie Keane bagged a hat-trick.
Liverpool legend Gerrard, who had played 45 minutes of a friendly for the Galaxy last weekened and appeared as a substitute in a midweek cup match, helped trigger a remarkable fightback after San Jose raced into an early 2-0 lead.
Gerrard’s former Liverpool team-mate Robbie Keane was the star, scoring atreble as the Galaxy romped home. But Gerrard left the pitch to a standing ovation after transforming the course of a match that San Jose looked set to win.
The midfielder won the penalty which Keane converted to make it 2-1 and then fired home a 37th-minute equaliser to make it 2-2.
Gerrard, watched by former England and Los Angeles star David Beckham in the stands, then provided the free-kick which Keane steered home to make it 3-2 on 64 minutes.
Gerrard also nearly claimed a second in the 70th minute, his freekick crashing back off the woodwork. Keane and Gerrard combined again in the build-up which led to the second penalty 10 minutes from time, duly stroked home by Ireland striker Keane for 4-2. Sebastian Lletget then grabbed a late fifth for the Galaxy.
Gerrard said he was reveling in the resumption of his partnership with former Liverpool team-mate Keane.
“We had that chemistry at Liverpool,” Gerrard said. “When you’re playing with good players its easy to connect.
“I know where he’s going to be. Robbie’s on the same wavelength, he’s a very intelligent player.”
The former England captain also revealed he had ignored calls from Arena on the sideline about whether he needed to be substituted.
“Bruce was shouting ‘How are you doing?’ and I kept looking away pretending not to hear him,” Gerrard said.
“I felt like a kid again out there. I just want to play as many minutes as possible.”
He’s right. And its annoying the way Klopp is treated by the English media like the second coming of Jebus just coz he’s a “right on” guy, but hasn’t actually achieved anything yet
In fairness to Klopp, he has managed to turn a bang average squad into title challengers while maintaining an entertaining style of play.
The high tempo style may cost them in the run in though with tiring legs and all that.
Did he not win the Bundesliga twice and get to a champions league final with Dortmund?
What with one game a week most weeks ?? Behave!
Mark, I think he was talking not achieving anything at Liverpool yet.
Of course Liverpool won,t the league, thats not their thing. Might top league for a couple of weeks then top clubs take over at the business end of things
No $hit sherlock !!!
Only saying what Klopp has already said himself. Would require too many good teams to have extended bad runs as it stands, and with the weaknesses in the squad he inherited. The likes of Matip, Klavern (and even Mane) will be better next season.. But when you see how well some of the new players have integrated already, and then the improvement in for for the like of Lallana, whatever about winning PL titles he’s certainly building a formidable LFC challenge to other contenders….
Next year is Liverpools year
@Irishoversea: don’t know about that but certainly with Klopp at the helm, and extra revenue from 15,000 extra bums on seats there is every possibility that LFC will be consistently contending for major honours over the next couple of seasons.
Reality is only one team can win every year, so even with all the improvements you still need a big dollop of luck (injuries, schedul etc..) to pick up the silverware…
Nothing brings out the idiots better than a Liverpool thread….. Beating there chests when there own team is beating up nobodies, much with the help of terrible officiating…..
“their”
@Aaron Hynes: yes, your right. Great accomplishment.
@William Kavanagh: you’re
ah dave don’t resort to that nonesence
*Nonsense* couldn’t resist!