2002 Liverpool Third – Steven Gerrard #17 XL

The 2002/03 season was a turbulent one for Liverpool Football Club, managed by Gérard Houllier, as the Reds struggled to maintain consistency following their impressive 2001/02 runner-up campaign.

• Premier League:

  • Liverpool finished 5th, narrowly missing out on Champions League qualification.

  • Began the season strongly with an unbeaten run but suffered a 13-match winless streak midseason that derailed their title hopes.

  • Ended the campaign with 64 points, behind Chelsea by four.

• Domestic Cups:

  • League Cup: Winners, defeating Manchester United 2–0 in the final at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium. Goals came from Steven Gerrard and Michael Owen.

  • FA Cup: Eliminated in the fifth round by Crystal Palace.

• European Competition:

  • UEFA Cup: Knocked out in the quarterfinals by Celtic (1–3 on aggregate).

• Key Storyline:

  • The season was defined by inconsistency but brightened by silverware.

  • Steven Gerrard continued to mature into one of the team’s leaders, while Michael Owen remained the club’s main attacking threat.

• Kit:
  The 2002/03 Liverpool third kit, produced by Reebok, was a black jersey with red and grey accents, featuring the Carlsberg sponsor and embroidered club crest. Designed for European and alternate away matches, it stood out for its sleek, intimidating look — a fan favorite among early-2000s kits.

2. Player’s Impact – Steven Gerrard (2002/03)

Steven Gerrard, still in his early 20s, solidified his status as the heart of Liverpool’s midfield during this campaign.

• Appearances: 50 matches in all competitions.

• Statistics: 6 goals and 6 assists.

• Key Moments:

  • Scored the opening goal in the League Cup Final against Manchester United — a powerful deflected strike that set the tone for victory.

  • Consistently delivered high-energy performances, driving the team with his tackling, passing, and leadership.

  • Wore the captain’s armband on multiple occasions, foreshadowing his full-time captaincy in later years.

• Role: Central midfielder in Houllier’s 4–4–2 system — tasked with box-to-box duties, breaking up play, and initiating attacks.

• Legacy: The 2002/03 season was pivotal in Gerrard’s rise as Liverpool’s next great leader. His League Cup Final goal remains one of his earliest big-match moments, showcasing the drive and passion that would define his career.

3. Full Squad List – Liverpool 2002/03

Manager: Gérard Houllier

Goalkeepers:

• Jerzy Dudek

• Chris Kirkland

Defenders:

• Sami Hyypiä (Captain)

• Stéphane Henchoz

• Jamie Carragher

• John Arne Riise

• Djimi Traoré

• Markus Babbel

• Abel Xavier

• Vegard Heggem

Midfielders:

• Steven Gerrard

• Danny Murphy

• Dietmar Hamann

• Vladimir Smicer

• El Hadji Diouf

• Salif Diao

• Bruno Cheyrou

• Igor Bišćan

• Patrik Berger

Forwards:

• Michael Owen

• Emile Heskey

• Milan Baroš

• Florent Sinama-Pongolle