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Steven Gerrard and the adidas Predator
Steven Gerrard wore the adidas Predator for almost all of his professional career. And he wore it his way: nearly always in black, with a little red and white. No fuss. No flash. Just the boot, and what he could do with it.
The Early Years: The Precision
In 2000/01, Gerrard’s breakthrough season, Liverpool won the FA Cup, the League Cup and the UEFA Cup — and he was named PFA Young Player of the Year. His most significant goal of that season came in the dramatic UEFA Cup final against Alavés. He was wearing the Predator Precision.
2002 to 2004: The Mania
Gerrard moved into the Predator Mania in 2002. Injury kept him out of that summer’s World Cup, but the following season he scored the opening goal in the 2003 League Cup final, as Liverpool beat Manchester United 2-0.
2004 to 2005: The Pulse, Olympiacos and Istanbul
The Predator Pulse was Gerrard’s boot for his most important season. By then he was Liverpool captain.
On 8 December 2004, Liverpool needed to beat Olympiacos by two goals to stay in the Champions League. With four minutes left and the score 2-1, Gerrard met Neil Mellor’s knock-down with a first-time half-volley and drove it into the Kop net. Read the full story of Gerrard vs Olympiacos.
Six months later, in Istanbul, Liverpool were 3-0 down to AC Milan at half-time of the Champions League final. Gerrard’s header started the comeback. Liverpool won on penalties.
2006: The Absolute and the Gerrard Final
In the 2006 FA Cup final against West Ham, Gerrard scored twice — including a stoppage-time equaliser from long range — in a 3-3 draw, and Liverpool won on penalties. The match is still known as “the Gerrard final”.
He wore the Predator Absolute, with a personal touch: the name of his newborn second daughter stitched into the boots.
2007 to 2009: The PowerSwerve, His Favourite
The Predator PowerSwerve was Gerrard’s most prolific Predator, and the one he has named as his favourite. It was the boot of his best goalscoring years, when he and Fernando Torres made Liverpool one of the most feared attacking sides in Europe.
The Man in Black
Gerrard’s boots were rarely loud. While others wore colour, he stuck with black, often personalised with his squad number and his daughters’ names. It suited him: a player who let his football do the talking.
Frequently Asked Questions
What boots did Steven Gerrard wear?
Gerrard wore the adidas Predator for almost his entire career, including the Precision, Mania, Pulse, Absolute and PowerSwerve.
What boots did Gerrard wear against Olympiacos in 2004?
The adidas Predator Pulse.
What boots did Gerrard wear in the 2006 FA Cup final?
The adidas Predator Absolute.
What was Gerrard’s favourite Predator?
Gerrard has named the Predator PowerSwerve as his favourite. It was also the Predator he scored the most goals in.
Related: Gerrard vs Olympiacos, 2004 · The Predator Pulse · Predator signature editions · All Predator Icons