AMIDST the offence, the outrage, the apology, the punishment, the outcry and then the acceptance, one story didn't get the attention it deserved this week.
It was the good news that got buried as Liverpool confirmed that Steven Gerrard has been granted a richly-deserved testimonial match this summer.
It will take place at Anfield on Saturday, August 3 (2pm kick-off) and fittingly Olympiakos will provide the opposition.
The last visit of the Greek champions on December 8, 2004 went down in Anfield folklore after Gerrard's stunning late strike booked Liverpool's passage from the group stage of the Champions League en route to Istanbul.
The showpiece occasion in pre-season is a fitting reward for the talismanic skipper's remarkable service to the club he has represented on 628 occasions since 1998.
Gerrard is a world away from the stereotype of modern day footballers being disloyal, greedy and out of touch with reality.
The captain has vowed that all the proceeds from the match, which will generate more than £1million in gate receipts alone, will go to his charity, the Steven Gerrard Foundation (SGF).
Since it was set up in February 2011, the foundation has helped disadvantaged children by supporting a range of organisations and projects across Merseyside.
There have been successful fundraising golf events in both Portugal and the UK.
Having achieved so much during a trophy-laden 15 years at Anfield, Gerrard is fuelled by a burning desire to give something back to his home city.
Zoe's Place Baby Hospice in West Derby, Claire House Children's Hospice in Bebington and Wallasey's Stick 'n' Step, which helps children with cerebral palsy, are among those to have benefited from the foundation's help so far.
"Football has been fantastic to myself," Gerrard said. "I'm at the right age and in a good position to be able to give a bit back. I'm just doing my bit to help. I didn't realise until I started out on this journey how many difficult cases there are about and what a huge range of people need financial support."
Gerrard has lived the dream and fans have been blessed to witness a magnificent career. He turns 33 next month but still has so much to offer.
August 3 will be a special day at Anfield as a packed house pays homage to a very special talent.
Source: Liverpool Echo
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