Steven Gerrard's match worn Adidas Predator Instinct

Player name: Steven George Gerrard

Country: England

Clubs: Liverpool, LA Galaxy

Position: Central midfield

DOB: 30/05/1990

Height: 6 ft 0 in

Steven Gerrard is an English professional football manager and former player who manages Scottish Premiership club Rangers. He spent the majority of his playing career as a central midfielder for Liverpool, with most of that time spent as club captain, as well as captaining the England national team. Widely regarded as one of the greatest midfielders of all time, Gerrard was awarded the UEFA Club Footballer of the Year award in 2005, and the Ballon d'Or Bronze Award. In 2009, Zinedine Zidane and Pelé said that they considered Gerrard to be the best footballer in the world. A versatile and well-rounded player, highly regarded for his leadership, Gerrard is the only footballer to score in an FA Cup Final, a League Cup Final, a UEFA Cup Final and a UEFA Champions League Final, winning on each occasion.

Born in Whiston, Merseyside, Gerrard made his senior debut for Liverpool in 1998. In 2000–01, Gerrard helped Liverpool secure a unique treble of cups, and after further cup success the next season, Gerrard was given the captaincy in 2003. In 2005, Gerrard led Liverpool to a historic fifth European title, being named Man of the Match as Liverpool came from 3–0 down to defeat Milan in what became known as the Miracle of Istanbul. The following year, Gerrard starred in the 2006 FA Cup Final, which has been called The Gerrard Final. Both finals have since become widely regarded as amongst the greatest in the history of each competition.

We've managed to get our hands on a pair of Stevie G's match worn Adidas Predator Instinct boots, which he wore during the 2014-15 Premier League season, which proved to be his last at his boyhood club Liverpool. The following season he moved to LA Galaxy in the MLS as he neared the retirement of his playing career.

Gerrard has had several different sponsorships in his career including current deals with Adidas, Jaguar Cars and Lucozade. In 2014, Forbes listed his combined income from salaries, bonuses and off-field earnings at $17.2 million for the previous 12 months. While Gerrard has worn several football boots during his career, he first wore a pair of Nike boots on his Liverpool debut, but soon signed a deal with Adidas in 1998 and has gone on to appear in a number of Adidas commercials with the likes of Zinedine Zidane, David Beckham, Lionel Messi and Kaká. Gerrard has worn ten versions of the Adidas Predator boot, with the Accelerator being the first, and throughout his career he has been one of the brand's major boot endorsees. In 2013, Gerrard switched boot silos to the Nitrocharge 1.0 first wearing the boots in the League Cup clash against rivals Manchester United on 25 September 2013.

This pair feature some unique modifications separating them from the retail versions of this model that Adidas sold on the commercial market. One of the perks of being among Adidas' top sponsored athlete's is that they'll make your boots to your exact specifications and requirements for you, as they did with Stevie G.

The world's elite players don't have to wear generic sizes like you and I, no, they have the unique option of quarter sizing, some players such as Gabriel Jesus have odd sized boots as well. Gerrard's feet are a very precise size UK9.25, which in US sizing is a 9.75 with Adidas. 

Chosen by The Daily Telegraph as Liverpool's greatest ever player, Gerrard won a total of two FA Cups, three League Cups, the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Cup, FA Community Shield and UEFA Super Cup in his 17 seasons at Anfield. Despite collective and individual success, Gerrard never won the Premier League, finishing runner-up with Liverpool on three occasions.

Adidas have added a personal touch to this pair of Gerrard's Predator's for him by adding the names of his 3 daughters; Lilly, Lexie & Lourdes. This was always a common feature with Stevie G's boots throughout his playing career.

At international level, Gerrard is the fourth-most capped player in the history of the England national team with 114 caps, scoring 21 goals. Gerrard made his international debut in 2000, and represented his country at the 2000, 2004 and 2012 UEFA European Football Championships, as well as the 2006, 2010 and 2014 FIFA World Cups, captaining the team for the latter two tournaments. He was named as the permanent England captain shortly before UEFA Euro 2012, where he was named in the UEFA Team of the Tournament. Gerrard won his 100th cap in 2012, becoming the sixth player to reach that milestone for England. Gerrard announced his retirement from international football in 2014.

Gerrard's squad number 8 has been added to the back of each boot. One of the most noticeable mods on this pair is the lower heels, which also feature a custom, padded, black suede lining.

Typically, the retail version of the Adidas Predator Instinct model had a traditionally shaped heel cup, Gerrard may have requested for this to be made lower to help prevent blistering, or aid to the overall comfort an fit of the boot.

Above we can see a close up in-match shot of Stevie G wearing this model and colourway of the Predator Instinct in a Premier League tie for Liverpool, however this pair feature a number 700 at the heel instead of his squad number 8 as they were a special pair to commemorate his 700th appearance for Liverpool. This angle gives a better look at the custom heel cup shape.

In 2009, Zinedine Zidane and Pelé said that they considered Gerrard to be the best footballer in the world. He was capable of playing in a number of positions. A hardworking box-to-box player with great endurance in his prime, he was usually deployed as a central midfielder, but he had also been used as a second striker, a holding midfielder, an attacking midfielder, a right back, and a right winger.

Throughout his club career, Gerrard managed a total of 749 appearances, scoring 191 goals and made 129 assists. Remarkable numbers.

The tongue on this pair has also been made shorter than normal pairs, which may have added further comfort for the player.

The padded black suede heel lining is a nice touch of added quality, leaps and bounds ahead of the rough mesh material that was in the heel area of the retail versions. This suede material runs from the heel through to the midfoot area on each boot. Another interesting feature of his pair is that the insoles have actually been glued into the boots, instead of them being removable. They feature the Adidas logo, UEFA Champions League logo and "the best of the best".

From the midfoot area forwards, the upper material has been fitted with extra padding. This seems to be one of the most common additions among elite pro's match worn & issued boots, perhaps the thin standard retail uppers simply aren't up to the calibre required for the world's best!