I'd like to point out just a few things about the current "crisis" the media are spinning for LFC.
Steve Gerrard will leave LFC in may. I'm actually quite happy about this for two reasons.
First LFC are in the end going to be better off. He's not the same player and while he retains some class he's not able to compete physically like we are asking him to do so if he was not willing to be the guy coming on and lifting everyone fine.
Second It will protect gerrard's legacy. Frankly if he'd pulled up injured on 40mins in that famous chelsea game and missed the world cup he'd be better off! seeing a player age rapidly and go down hill rapidly is sad frankly. him going makes it possible, just perhaps for him to go win something and get out now.
My signature contains a Bob paisley quote. "Let them lose their legs elsewhere.2 remember that, he'll be missed but i'd rather miss him being effective than have a even longer goodbye watching him stink up the place.
Some stats:
I want to now just point out the comparison made with Frank Lampard at Man City. Steve Gerrard seems unwilling to take the hit to his ego to sit on a bench and come on like Frank. Perhaps this will chance come 12 months form now when some club comes in for the laon move and LFC will see gerrard play agaisnt them after all but for now he's off to the mls to play with semi pros where his legs are not such an issue.... However the media and pundits make out frank Lampard is having a wonder year.
Lets look:
Frank lampard has started a whole 3 games in the premier league for Man city, making 12 sub appearances and playing 362 mins this season... he's knocked in 5 goals and made one assist.
Thats not bad, it's actually really helping city too. Good for old frank eh?
That's an average of 18 minutes a game. hmmmmm frank is coming on and allowing city to rest a player here and there and I'm sure his old legs will carry him through yaya's ANC absence as a result.
He's also played a couple CL games and one in the FA cup and one in League cup.. again just filling in the gaps.
by contrast...
Gerrard has played 17 league games for LFC plus 2 sub appearances and only missed one due to supsension. He's played therefore a total of 24 games for lfc and 3 sub appearances totalling 27 games!
He's scored 9 goals and had one assist in those games.
In the league he's played 1569 minutes of football, in the CL he totals 471 mins as well.. He's played upfront, as a box to box midfielder and and a holding player.
So what does this tell us.... Well for the average LFC fan it says 3 things I think.
1. He's the best rodgers thinks he's got and he plays him constantly.
2. He's not anywhere near his best as he is saving himself up to last the 90.
3. He is not half as mobile nor does he track the players he should be tracking in the role he is asked to play.
So lets be realistic here. Lampard has accepted being a bit part player. Gerrard's ego won't allow him to do it. Thats the reason he's off to the MLS. Gerrard's stock has risen so much since he announced he was off, he is now a worldie again according to such brains as alan shearer