Hollywood Blockbuster as new boy Gerrard scores in league debut

Former Liverpool and England captain Steven Gerrard described Saturday how he 'felt like a kid' after scoring in his league debut for LA Galaxy.

The script could not have gone better for the 35-year-old midfielder who ended his 17-year football career with his home town club Liverpool earlier this summer.

As well as scoring a stunning goal to level things 2-2 for Galaxy in their league clash at the Stub Hub Center against San Jose Earthquakes, Gerrard received a standing ovation as he left the pitch in the 88th minute, and he was named 'man of the match'.

Galaxy won 5-2, with Gerrard playing a crucial role in setting up a number of the goals.

Such was the interest in Gerrard's league debut on both sides of the Atlantic, one of the leading sports reporters from the Liverpool Echo was dispatched to the US to report on the game and provide a middle of the night running commentary for followers back in Liverpool.

The clash between the two teams is what would be known as a 'local derby' in England where two neighboring sides play.

The MLS league encounter between Galaxy and Earthquakes is called the 'California Clasico'.

Things got off to a rocky start when Earthquakes netted two early goals, but a penalty shot was awarded after Gerrard was seemingly 'elbowed' in a challenge. Gerrard's team mate Robbie Keane, another ex-Anfield player, scored the penalty, followed just minutes later by Gerrard's first goal for his new club to equalise.

Commenting after the match Gerrard told reporters: "The future is bright here ... I felt like a kid out there."

The Echo's man at the match David Prentice started his report: "He's played an International Champions Cup match (a glorified pre-season friendly), a US Open Cup tie ... but now faces the real deal - the California Clasico, LA Galaxy versus San Jose Earthquakes.

"San Jose may well be 340 miles up Interstate-9 from Los Angeles and a five hour drive from LA, but it's the MLS's fiercest rivalry and classed as a 'local' derby.

" 'I'm looking forward to it," said Stevie Gerrard in the build up. 'I love derby matches'. As if we didn't already know," added Prentice.

Commenting on Gerrard's equalising goal, Prentice who watched the Kop hero play many times in familiar Anfield red, said: "And he's only gone and scored ... in a derby, on his debut! That oh so familiar celebration ... but it still looks kind of wrong in an all white strip!"

And Prentice's verdict on Gerrard: "Yup! It's a Hollywood Blockbuster. One goal and two assists from the new boy. Fair to say that's a decent debut!" Endit