Burglars have struck at the home of the Liverpool footballer Steven Gerrard in the latest of a series of raids on the homes of star Merseyside players performing in key matches.

Shortly after he scored the first goal in Liverpool’s 4-0 Champions League victory over Marseilles, four masked raiders surprised his wife, Alex Curran, and a female friend, at his palatial home in Formby, which is 500 yards from a police station. The couple’s two children, Lilly-Ella, 3, and Lexie, 1, were asleep upstairs.

The burglars took a woman’s Rolex watch and two sets of car keys.

Gerrard becomes the seventh Liverpool player to be targeted by burglars in two years. Most were playing in important matches as robbers evaded security alarms to make off with expensive jewellery, memorabilia and performance cars. The club management announced yesterday that it would look to provide extra security at players’ houses while their stars are away on duty.

In May José Manuel Reina, the Liverpool goalkeeper, was burgled on the evening that he shone in goal against Chelsea in the Champions League. Other Liverpool players to have suffered include Dirk Kuyt, Jerzy Dudek, Daniel Agger and Peter Crouch. The home of Andy van der Meyde, the Everton player, was also targeted last year.

Last December James Birch, 20, pleaded guilty at Liverpool Crown Court to burgling Dudek and asked for seven other offences to be taken into account, five at the homes of other football players.

Ms Curran, who has given her name to a perfume and writes a tabloid newspaper column about fashion, was shocked by what Merseyside Police described as a confrontational burglary. She was not hurt.

There was speculation that the burglars may have unsuccessfully sought Gerrard’s Christmas gift to his wife, a £10,000 Cartier watch, after she told a magazine about the present. The four white men disguised themselves with hoods and balaclavas before bursting into the mansion at about 9.30pm on Tuesday. Family and friends arrived at the house shortly afterwards to comfort Ms Curran. A friend of the family said: “The burglars have no respect. They trashed the place trying to find the valuables and then just waltzed out through the front gate.Alex is heartbroken by what has happened but she is trying to be strong for Steven and the kids.”

Gerrard was told about the robbery as he left the field at the Stade Vélodrome. He flew home with the the squad and returned home to his family overnight. He expressed his relief that his family were safe. “It is a police matter but nobody was hurt. That is the main thing. Alex was shaken up but everyone is OK.” Police say that the raiders did not threaten the women with guns or knives and neither was tied up during the raid.

Officers believe that the gang had a plan to evade the security alarms and then just walked out of the front door. Forensic science officers were concentrating on muddy footprints in the drive. Robert Lear, 61, whose house backs on to the Gerrards’ home, said: “I am not surprised this has happened. It is a shame but I suppose it is the price you pay for fame.”

When players are losers

José Manuel Reina

The goalkeeper lost several high value items and his Porsche Cayenne when burglars hit his home in Woolton in May. He was playing against Chelsea in the Champions League at the time.

Dirk Kuyt

The striker was burgled in November at his luxury home in Woolton while he was away on international duty for Holland.

Daniel Agger

The Danish defender had his home in the Wirral burgled in September 2006 while he was playing at Anfield against Galatasaray in the Champions League.

Peter Crouch

The striker’s home in Alderley Edge was struck during the same match. Items were stolen and furniture vandalised.

Jerzy Dudek

In June 2006 thieves broke into the Caldy home of the goalkeeper, right, while he holidayed in Poland. Among items taken were his 2005 Champions League winners medal and a UEFA Champions League winners cup which was later returned.