Steven Gerrard Death Threat Prompts Liverpool to Review Training Ground Security

Steven Gerrard appeared unfazed on Sunday and ready for Liverpool’s Premier League trip to Swansea, despite receiving an unprompted death threat 48 hours prior to kickoff.

Carl Markham of the Daily Mail reports the England midfielder “trained with a smile on his face” as he returned to the scene where a man had threatened to harm his family.

Liverpool plan to address the security measures in place around the training ground as a result, as reported by Huw Bonello of Fox Sports (via News.com.au):

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Liverpool are reviewing training ground security after Steven Gerrard had to be restrained from confronting a member of the public who hurled abuse and threats at him after scaling a perimeter fence at the Melwood complex.

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The incident took place when Gerrard was practising free-kicks with Philippe Coutinho on Saturday. Jack de Menezes of The Independent reports the Liverpool skipper initially refused to respond to his heckler but lost his cool when his family was targeted:

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The insults became much more personal and threatening, and the national skipper could take no more when the abuser shouted: “I know where you live ya p****... I’ll burn your f****** house down.”

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Gerrard was pictured with a visibly agitated look on his face, restrained by Liverpool assistant manager Colin Pascoe as he began to confront the intruder.

De Menezes reports the male eventually departed on his bike, shouting “I’ll kill you and your f****** kids” as he made a cowardly dash for safety.

It was an unwanted incident in Liverpool’s preparation for Monday’s clash at Swansea, where they hope to regain the top spot in the Premier League.

The Reds are yet to concede this season and are the only team left with a 100 percent record. Skipper Gerrard has been key to that run.

Employed in a deeper-lying role by Brendan Rodgers, Gerrard has been used as the tempo-setter alongside the more industrious Lucas Leiva, making a substantial difference at both ends of the pitch.

For much of his career, Gerrard has covered every blade of grass for the Merseysiders, often out of necessity among an inferior set of players.

However, under Rodgers’ regime, the 33-year-old is tasked with getting on the ball as often as possible, finding the feet of the likes of Coutinho and Daniel Sturridge—allowing them to go and hurt the opposition.

A man of vast experience, Gerrard now picks his own moments to get forward, allowing him to forge an impenetrable wall with Lucas in front of the Liverpool defence, which enables full-backs Jose Enrique and Glen Johnson to raid forward at will.

Rodgers will hope his main man is not affected by the ugly scenes of the weekend as Liverpool look to make it 12 points from 12, knowing Gerrard will be particularly important against a Swansea side who love to find gaps in between the lines.