[article=http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/vegard-heggem-remembers-day-substituted-6353003]Sunday, November 29, 1998
Liverpool 2 Blackburn Rovers 0
Liverpool: James, Staunton (Kvarme 75), Babb, Heggem (Gerrard 90), Bjornebye, Carragher, Redknapp, Berger, Ince, Fowler, Owen. Not used: Friedel, Murphy, Thompson.
Blackburn: Filan, Kenna, Davidson, Henchoz, Gallacher, Duff, Blake, Marcolin, Johnson (Davies 87), Dailly, Dunn. Not Used: Broomes, Croft, Fettis, Taylor.
Goals: Ince 30, Owen 33
Two goals in three minutes lifted the gloom at Anfield as Liverpool avoided a fourth successive home defeat. Paul Ince’s 30-yarder was followed by Michael Owen’s instinctive piece of quality finishing against rock-bottom Blackburn. Tony Parkes was caretaker boss of Rovers following the sacking of Roy Hodgson.[/article]
[article]Vegard Heggem recalls looking across to the touchline, seeing his No. 14 appear on the board and spotting the ‘shy, skinny teenager’ waiting to take his place.
The 90th-minute substitution was only a footnote in Liverpool’s comfortable 2-0 Premier League victory over Blackburn Rovers at Anfield.
However, November 29, 1998 would prove to be a highly significant date in the club’s history – it was the afternoon which launched the remarkable career of Steven Gerrard .
The 18-year-old from Huyton , wearing No.28 on his shirt, barely had time to work up a sweat after replacing the Norway international at right-back, but he had taken a significant step towards achieving his boyhood dreams.
Manager Gerard Houllier, who had assumed sole control a fortnight earlier following his doomed double act with Roy Evans, had only recently promoted Gerrard from the youth ranks to Melwood.
“It’s funny to think that’s where it all began for Steven,” Heggem told the ECHO.
“I just remember how shy and skinny he was back then.
“I was surprised how quickly he went from his first session at Melwood to making his debut at Anfield. It was a really short period.
“There was a buzz when he came on as it was a great boost for the fans to see another local boy coming through.
“It had a really positive influence on the whole club.
“Houllier had been monitoring him at the Academy and could see the potential there. He believed he could make the step up and his judgement was certainly proved right.”
Gerrard had only played a handful of reserve team matches before making the breakthrough.
He found himself thrust into an environment with established internationals like Paul Ince, Patrik Berger, Jamie Redknapp, Robbie Fowler, Steve McManaman, Phil Babb and Steve Staunton.
However, Heggem says the youngster soon commanded the respect of his peers.
“I hadn’t heard much about Steven before Houllier promoted him to the first-team squad,” he said.
“After he arrived he made himself well known with his influence on the training pitch.
“When I first saw him he was so skinny I didn’t expect much but that went out of the window when he started training with us.
“He never held back at all. I think the senior players soon realised we had a real talent here.
“Even before his debut, we had seen his great ability. He may have been shy and skinny but it was never in doubt that he would go flat out and get stuck in – that’s what he was like at Melwood.
“I was surprised he was so physical. Back then he lacked a bit of muscle but he would still go flying in and was fiercely committed
“He was so focused, so desperate to succeed. He was fearless and he had the attitude a young player needs to go with his talent.”
Heggem, who joined the Reds from Rosenborg for £3.5million in the summer of 1998, was the only player Liverpool bought when Evans and Houllier were joint managers.
He featured prominently for two seasons under Houllier before injuries took their toll. By the time the defender left Anfield in 2003 Gerrard was on the brink of being appointed captain and had established himself as one of the best midfielders on the planet.
“Over that period I saw him develop into an even better player,” Heggem said.
“The biggest development was physically – he got stronger and tougher.
“Everyone talks about his passing and shooting abilities but his speed was also a big asset.
“I remember we did some speed tests and he was the quickest out of all of us. Having such quick feet helped him a lot as he could get himself into great positions to intercept the ball.”
Fifteen years on from his debut, Gerrard is preparing to make his 645th appearance for Liverpool at Hull City on Sunday.
Heggem, who owns and manages a fly fishing lodge on the Orkla river in his homeland, will be watching from afar.
The 38-year-old retains a close affinity with Anfield and would dearly love to see the Reds skipper clinch more silverware before he hangs up his boots.
“Steven is still such a vital part of the Liverpool team and it would be fantastic if we could win the Premier League title in the next few years before he retires. It’s the only trophy he hasn’t lifted,” Heggem added.
“Perhaps that’s too difficult a target for this season at this point in the club’s development, but it’s been a good start and we are still in contention near the top of the league.
“ Brendan Rodgers is doing a very good job and I hope they can continue in this way.
“I’ll always be a Liverpool fan. I get over once or twice every season, and I watch all the other games on TV. Some of the football we’ve played this season has been really enjoyable to watch and we have a lot of offensive talent in the squad.
“It’s a great achievement by Steven to stay at the top level for so long and his record speaks for itself.
“He’s had an amazing career – up there with the best in Liverpool’s history.
“He’s world class and the complete footballer.”[/article]
And his 1st goal for Liverpool (5 December 1999 in a 4-1 home League win over Sheffield Wednesday)
