Gerrard reveals injury nightmare

The midfielder scored on his first start in nearly half a year, against Manchester United on Saturday, after being sidelined due to a groin injury.

Speaking to the Daily Mirror, Gerrard revealed the extent of his desperation.

"When I got the injury, I knew it was going to be a serious one, something I wasn't used to - and I'll admit I was down, as low as I've ever been as a footballer.

"I think it's only natural that you have doubts. Different things cross your mind from time to time.

"I was fighting to get fit, just to get out on the pitch. I was trying to put my body on the line, but it wasn't the real me and I wasn't the player I want to be."

Ironically, it was in another game against Manchester United, in March last season, that Gerrard's injury took a serious turn.

"Before the operation, I'd been getting niggles and having injections to play. Basically I knew I wasn't right," he explained.

"I was missing training sessions and coming in the day before a game trying to get that last session in, or having injections to play the next day.

"You can only do that for a certain amount of time before your body gives in, and mine gave in. My groin packed in on me and when it happened I was down and I was low.

"It probably wasn't until I got off the crutches that I started being really positive again.

"I could see I was progressing day by day, and when that happens your positivity creeps back in. Without a doubt, the last six months have been the hardest of my career."

Gerrard also responded to criticism in Pepe Reina's book that the captain failed to call for previous owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett to leave the club.