Arena: Gerrard ‘looked like he belonged’

The former Liverpool talisman showed one or two glimpses of class before being substituted at half-time to applause from a 27,934-strong crowd.

Gerrard hopes to play similar minutes in the Galaxy’s U.S. Open Cup match at Real Salt Lake on Tuesday, but he will play his first official MLS match when the Galaxy host the San Jose Earthquakes on July 17.

On the 21st minute, Gerrard, 35, almost gave them something to cheer even louder for, as well as cement himself a dream California debut when he burst into the penalty box in his trademark fashion only to be denied by a terrific save by Club America’s goalkeeper, Hugo Gonzalez.

The English midfielder found life tough in his initial days at Anfield after his transfer from Sunderland in 2011, where he struggled to break into the first team, but he waited for his opportunity and now is one of the most crucial players in the Liverpool team.

Had that gone in it would have levelled the scores up at 1-1, with Club America having taken a seventh-minute lead through Quintero, who got in behind the Galaxy defense and fired through Brian Rowe’s legs to open the scoring.

Alan Gordon ensured that Gerrard’s Galaxy bow would be marked with a victory when he leapt above two defenders to head a Raul Mendiola cross home via the post 10 minutes from time.

Afterwards, he told www.lagalaxy.com: “It was a great feeling. He’s going to have to play some matches, and we’ll try to slowly build him into that”.

I’ve been watching the game for afar for some time as well.

“I thought after 15 or 20 minutes that the team settled really well, we played some good football and we got our deserved equalizer”. He played the first half for LA and was instrumental as the Galaxy weathered early heavy pressure, then started to dictate terms over much of the half-hour leading to halftime.

Frank Lampard’s long-awaited Major League Soccer debut has been delayed after the former England and Chelsea star suffered an injury in training, it was confirmed on Saturday.

Jordan Henderson is set to take over Steven Gerrard’s role as Liverpool captain.

The player said: “I’m absolutely delighted and proud”.

“I’ve got great respect for Jordan Henderson and I know everyone else at the club feels the same. Unfortunately I sustained a small strain to my calf during a session”.

“I’m not coming here to make excuses about needing months to be ready”.

He said: “I’ve always said the manager has been brilliant for me”.

“The easy thing for me would have been to sign a year extension and stay in my comfort zone at Liverpool and become a squad player and use my name to just filter into the background, or retire and call it a day”, he added.