I saw an article today, can't remember where, could have been in the Mirror Football rumours page... anyway rumour being that Liverpool are looking in Spain at a player called Xisco as being the new Stevie G. Personally I feel we already have the new Stevie G at Liverpool - and that is señor Shelvey! He's big and strong, dynamic, a real box-to-box player. loves getting forward, hitting shots (ON TARGET!!) and picking up the long range efforts that most players dont seem to have the balls to hit these days. He's a fantastic prospect, and tonight, at 3-2 down, i'd written Liverpool off as standing any chance of getting anything from the game, a Europa League exit was already on the cards... but Shelvey came on and changed everything. He's looking like an immense player to me and for sure he can replace the classic all-action star player that Gerrard was in his prime!
Shelvey is a top player, but if we could get Isco, that would be an amazin signing hes gonna be a star in the next few years
As I said on another thread, Shelvey will be a real beast in 2/3 years. Reminds me of a Gerrard/ Yaya hybrid.
The Gerrard/Shelvey comparison has been around for a while now and to be honest I never used to pay much attention to it,how many youngsters down the years have had the new this or the new that tag. However,Shelvey's rapid improvement is surprising many and he seems to be thriving in that 'Gerrard' position.Bag's of time for further progress too!
Gerrard cant play the same role anymore. He's played better for us and well for England playing a deeper role. Shelvey plays a bit like Gerrard when he first broke through. He still needs to show he can be a consistent scorer and win big games for us like Gerrard did for years. Really impressed with him though
Gerrard may not admit it, but his legs seem to be going. He's nowhere near as dynamic as he once was, he should learn to adapt himself like Didi Hamann did and play more withdrawn. He just needs to keep things simple and retain posession as much as possible, and let the younger players be the more dynamic ones.
Indeed, we have Connor Coady too. No need to buy a third, that's just being silly, well a 4th, since the original is still able to put in a turn from time to time.
I still wouldnt kick Gerrard out of the starting 11. Yes he has been poor, yes Shelvey has looked good, but he's been played out of position for years and that's starting to show. Instead of playing -------------Allen/Lucas---------------- -----Gerrard----------Allen/Sahin----- ----Suarez----------------Sterling----- ---------------Borini---------------------- he ends up playing ---------Allen----Gerrard---- Suarez---Shelvey----Sterling ------------Borini-------------- In this position, Gerrard has to drop back to defend much more than he's accustomed to. Remember that goal he scored off the wonderful backheel from Torres a few years ago? Look how far up the pitch he was playing, and how his runs really made a difference. Nowadays he can't run up, leaving only the hollywood pass (which he still gets about 75 percent of the time) or the sideways pass. Both of which don't make him look fantastic. He's still got the legs, he just needs to be shown where to use them. As for Shelvey, once again - he looks fantastic off the bench, mindless from the starting position. He needs motivation and until he matures as a footballer, the only motivation he has is getting off the bench. Anything else and he plays like a lost chicken. A very talented lost chicken, but he still seems a bit ripe in terms of game intelligence. For example: today he finished very well from a cross. Last game I believe he shot over from a similar situation. Subtle differences that can cost us 3 points. His time is coming, but not just yet.
Why drop sahin when we have him for a year.. Did anyone think that hendo looked like a better player. I still think he will come good. DR.
Henderson wasn't as noticeable as he was at times last season which can only be a good thing for the type of player he is. He doesn't do the special things, he works hard and plays for the team
Would love to see Isco join - he has the potential to be a top player! Gerrard should be dropped - his performances have detoriated over the past 3 years and doesn't deserve to be starting. Henderson seems to thrive when Gerrard doesn't play. In fact, our midfield passes a lot quicker and is more fluid without Gerrard. Shelvey - I'm a big fan of his and he really showed his ability yesterday. However, I feel he is a player who is too good for the youth/reserves teams but just not quite ready for the first XI yet. But give him a couple of years - he'll be the 'new Gerrard'.
Gerrard always performs against Man Utd too though (yep, I realise that I have probably jinxed it there...) Shelvey has a cracking long shot (in terms of power) and, although his success rate isn't in the Joe Allen ranks, is a very good passer too. I am not convinced his defensive abilities are up to scratch but he gets people on the edge of there seat and fired up with those lunging stretched out leg tackles like Gerrard used to (and occasionally still does) do. I have been saying for about a year that I think Shelvey will become a top player and he is making rapid progress all the time Edit: I think Isco is a pipe dream for us at the moment. I like to look of Olivera (the young Portuguese forward) too but I see that the same as I do Isco unfortunately
Common sense would dictate that a player like Gerrard should be starting in such a big game against rivals. But I remember when Rafa took him off against Everton and brought on Lucas which won the game, and this changed my outlook. Sometimes you need to remove the emotion and play with a clear head, but of course, playing with emotion can drive you and motivate you further. But purely on form, Gerrard shouldn't be starting but I can't see that happening.
Although I understand what you are saying I am not sure that decision 'won the game' as you say. I think Rafa was right to take him off on the day as it looked like he was heading for a dismissal! Anyway, I'd personally play Gerrard in this fixture and take him off around the hour mark if required. Emotion, pride, desire and drive are very much needed in this game and Gerrard brings all four when playing as we know he can.
