Heggem: I Helped Gerrard Become Legend

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Steven Gerrard

Much was expected of Vegard Heggem when he joined Liverpool in 1998, shortly after helping Rosenborg to the quarterfinals of the Champions League.

The pacey Norwegian was pegged as the solution to the Reds' problematic full-back slots, and his early showings under Gerard Houllier were encouraging.

However, injuries derailed Heggem's career, forcing him to retire from football in 2003. He was 28 years old. Steven Gerrard, now at that age himself, will not be hanging up the boots anytime soon.

Tomorrow marks exactly 10 years since the current Liverpool captain made his first-team bow in the last minute of a Premier League fixture against Blackburn Rovers - and there are no prizes for guessing who he replaced.

“Yes, I was the one who helped him get his career started! I didn’t remember that it was in the last minute, but I know I was the one who was replaced by Steven,” The Sun quoted Heggem as saying.

“At the time he was a very quiet boy who didn’t say anything in the dressing room. That changed over time and soon he became one of the most influential players in the team.”

Heggem, who now runs a salmon fishing business in Norway, went on to say that Gerrard's success stems from a unique drive - and that the Merseyside hero can lead Liverpool to Premier League glory this season.

He added: “It was obvious he had a tremendous talent, but with Gerrard it was something else.

“His ambitions of becoming a great player made the difference. By the time I left I think he was already one of the best in Europe.

“He can help them win the title this season. And if he does, every Liverpool player is welcome to join me on a fishing trip . . . on the house, of course!”

--Mike Maguire, Goal.com