England star received death threats

England midfielder Steven Gerrard needed police protection after receiving a string of death threats, it has been claimed.

The Liverpool footballer, now 22, was reportedly so terrified when the threats began more than two years ago that he hired round-the-clock minders, according to the Sunday Mirror.

On one occasion the star had a brick thrown through the window of his £50,000 BMW and on another he was chased in his car through Liverpool, his home city, the paper claimed.

His security arrangements were reviewed and FA chiefs were reportedly told to step up security arrangements while the player was on England duty.

Merseyside Police were so concerned, they even instructed armed response vehicles to patrol outside his Southport home, the paper said.

Now Gerrard's troubles are being blamed for the player's apparent loss of form on the pitch in recent months.

The paper cited Gerrard's manager, Gerard Houllier, who in November took the rare step of criticising the midfielder in public, saying he was "frustrated" with Gerrard's "environment".

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