Six Years Ago, Steven Gerrard Suffered Humiliating End To Liverpool Career In 6-1 Thrashing To Stoke City

Steven Gerrard endured a heartbreaking end to his legendary Liverpool career after the Reds were thumped 6-1 by Stoke City in 2015.

The 40-year-old came through Liverpool's youth academy and enjoyed an illustrious 17-year playing career at Anfield.

The former Liverpool captain etched his names in the Reds' history book as one of the club's all-time best players.

That's not to mention Gerrard is considered as one of the best Premier League midfielders of all time alongside fellow legends Paul Scholes and Frank Lampard.

However, the Liverpool legend's time at Anfield ended in humiliating style when the Reds clashed with Stoke in May 2015.

Liverpool found themselves 5-0 down at the Bet365 Stadium (then known as the Britannia Stadium) before half-time.

Mame Biram Diouf scored a first-half brace as Jonathan Walters, Charlie Adam and Steven Nzonzi all added their names to the scoresheet.

Gerrard pulled one back for Liverpool in the second half, but Peter Crouch headed home Stoke's sixth as the Reds suffered a crushing Premier League defeat.

Gerrard later recalled the match a "disaster" and "catastrophe" for Liverpool, saying that it was the "worst performance of my Liverpool career."

Reliving the infamous match for his autobiography, the ex-Liverpool star said: "An hour after the match a friend texted me to ask what I'd made of a surreal afternoon. I answered him with one word: Wow.

"I might have had a slightly tight hamstring the night before, but it was fine during the match. We had no excuses. It was just a disaster. A catastrophe.

"Everything that could go wrong did go wrong. We were 5-0 down at half-time. Yes -- wow.

"Emre Can tried to put his hand up during the break and take responsibility. I stopped him after a few words.

"I think he's going to be a great player [...] but he is a midfielder and he was playing out of position.

"A few others chipped in to make sure Emre didn't take sole blame. We were all at fault [...] it was the worst performance of my Liverpool career."

Gerrard left Liverpool in 2015 and spent a single season with MLS side LA Galaxy before announcing his retirement from football in 2016.

The former England international was appointed Rangers manager in 2018 and captured the Scottish Premiership title with his side this season.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Liverpool, Football, Premier League, England, Steven Gerrard, Stoke City

Adnan Riaz

Adnan Riaz is a journalist for SPORTbible. He studied for a B.A. in History at the University of York and followed it up with an M.A. in Multimedia Journalism at MMU. Before he started writing about sports, he spent over four years in the gaming press. He has worked for several publications, including Hardcore Gamer, LADbible and the Manchester Evening News. Follow him on Twitter to find out what he is working on next. Got a story tip for Adnan? Email him: [email protected]

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