Birthday boy Gerrard looks to improve

Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard turns 29 today and was given an early birthday present in London last night when he was presented with the Football Writers’ Player of the Year award.

Gerrard beat off competition from PFA Player of the Year Ryan Giggs to win the accolade and on picking up the award, the midfielder vowed to raise his game further next season to edge Liverpool closer to the Premier League title.

“I would not be standing here without my family, my wife and a few close friends are here tonight, and I have to say a big thank you to them,” he said.

“Also my club manager, Rafael Benitez, who has a lot of belief in me. He has pushed me further forwards into a role I am absolutely loving at the moment – every time I go out, I feel so confident.

“The coaches at Liverpool and England are always driving me on, trying to improve me as a player. I am 29 on Saturday and I still feel I can get better.

“I am still learning every single day in training, working on parts of my game, am still very hungry and ambitious.”