Every match topic we have it usually turns towards Gerrard and how his legs are gone. In games where a team will not attack against us and are happy to defend he is essentially useless. He sits back and doesn't offer momentum from himself to make a chance. Against Aston Villa, in the second half he want needed, we either tell him to push up and stay up and have Henderson be the box to box midfielder or we take him off for someone different. I love Gerrard don't get me wrong, games against teams who want to attack and Gerrard will show he true ability, but 70% of the time in the premier league were not going to get that especially at home. Against West Ham I would have Lucas there as he is an actual defensive midfielder, West Ham will look to attack and we have enough good passers of the ball to do something. So yeah, let's have the debate about Gerrard in this topic.
The problem is Can is injured and I believe he's the one that has been bought in to slowly learn off Gerrad and take his role - so for the time being Gerrard will play every game. He's calmness to step up in the last minute and slot a penalty away tonight - just show's how useful he can be. Anyone else stepped up for that I would have been extremey worried, whereas I had no doubt he'd score.
With Gerrard I think its more that Lallana and Balotelli are not the right type of players to feed off Gerrard's passing.
Like all other players Gerrard has more rather than less lost his huge influence over our team and how we play, I'm extremely proud of Stevie as a fellow Huytoner for his loyalty, passion a commitment down the years. I hope Stevie himself decides when its time to go because Rodgers with the best intentions will give one season to many and tarnish what the lad means to us, happened with Ian Callaghan and Stevie Heighway for two and they became whipping boys and got merciless stick from the crowd due to their manager giving them one season to many due to loyalty, I hope the same doesn't happen to Gerrard.
Bang on Pagey, but it's the allure of that Prem title that's keeping him around isn't it. If we'd won it last year or at any point in his time as a force with us I reckon he'd have walked by now or at least taken on a much reduced role to the one he still has.
I agree him coming within touching distance of the title and feeling the blame of his mistake against Chelsea bigtime will be holding him back from thinking of retirement and yeah he'd have moved on for a new challenge earlier in his career if he'd have had a prem winners medal.
That's it. If he'd won one by the time Chelsea came calling several years ago maybe he'd have gone then. It's his club and the desire to go out with the full set is what's keeping him going for sure. Just hope there's those behind the scenes either with the big enough ballsacks or fitness telemetry whatever to draw the curtain on it for him when necessary.
In that holding role I dont think we think have any one better to step in. Can is young. He needs more experience, to settle in to English football and refine his technique. Getting thrown in to soon will damage him. Lucas doesnt offer enough in attack. Gerrard is still a great captain and passer of the ball.
Agree in principal JK but he's slower on the turn when receiving the ball these days and always seems suspect of getting caught in possession and Hollywood passes are few and far between and his days as a box to box midfielder are long gone sadly. Hendo was today given the deputy captaincy but despite Rodgers faith in him he'll never be another Stevie G, Gerrard's replacement should be an established high profile signing rather than an average/above average/one for the future player, if ever our club are going to be successful under Rodgers management hes got to buy better quality. I ain't saying our present players can't or won't hack it but we need a game changer that's tried, trusted and hits the ground running when replacing Gerrard. I've had a few scoops so go easy on me.
How many seasons have this been banging on now! and before that we were too over reliant on Gerrard! He had a good season last year in the same role, don't see why he can't do the same again this year. Lets face it its not like he's the only one underperforming, we just need a bit of time to pull it together.
He is still contributing massively to the team. But I think Rodgers should now look at playing him less and be less reliant on him. At times he slowed the pace. We found ludogorets more difficult than expected. I am sure we'll get it together in the next few matches. I can't wait for Sturridge to come back.
I disagree with comments that Gerrard looks suspect to getting caught in possession. If anything I would say that the best part about his game last night was avoiding losing the ball. Ludogrets were looking to close players down quickly and try to force the error, but Gerrard is always good in those tight situations. He kept the ball moving and the play ticking over. And more importantly he always anticipated their players looking to make an interception. I'd be worried about wayward or under hit back passes to the keeper if it were anyone else in there (Lucas especially). I agree with comments that Gerrard is not as mobile as our other options, but I also think that he is still a better footballer than all of them.
