Steven Gerrard has a secret passion for novels

by John Harkin. Published Tue 10 Feb 2009 11:00

England ace Steven Gerrard has unveiled a secret love of classic novels and is obsessed with John Steinbeck's book Of Mice and Men.

The Liverpool skipper reckons he is a keen reader and constantly has his head buried in books when lying around the house.

And Gerrard is convinced his love of Steinbeck's heart-wrenching novel was the reason he managed to pass his English GCSE.

The 28-year-old said: "Obviously football is my main passion but I love reading.

"My favourite book is definitely Of Mice and Men.

"It is quite a sad story when you get to know the characters.

"I've read the story from cover to cover so many times the book has almost fell apart.

"In school we watched the story on video, did a project on it and an exam on it.

"I got a C in my English GCSE because of that book."

Liverpool hero Gerrard also fancies himself as something of a creative writer.

He added: "English was definitely my favourite subject in school because I enjoyed creative writing.

"I wrote a great story in school about how one day I would win the World Cup.

"I liked messing about with words, it was good fun."

Gerrard's comments come just days after fellow Scouser Wayne Rooney admitted he was hooked on JK Rowling's Harry Potter books.