By giving Steven Gerrard the Liverpool captaincy in 2003, was Gerard Houllier responsible for bringing the best out MR 'World Class' Steven Gerrard?
possibly, but it was going to happen eventually he would be made captain, but houllier got him on the path i suppose. i think having players like Hyypia,cara,gary mac, Hamman etc around him has helped him develop his game personally, not forgetting masch,alonso as well. some class players to learn off there.
I think Houllier done a lot of Gerrard. But I think the key point was Rafa allowing him a free role, whether it be from the right or behind the striker. Mascerano and Alonso gave Gerrard the freedom to be incredible to (again Benitez's tactics).
Houllier won us trophies and helped with the progression of Carra & Stevie but the main memory I have from his time is his decision to throw our greatest ever natural goalscorer, Robbie Fowler, to the scrap heap!
That comes across as a bit sarky. If you're really a Liverpool fan then why not just put Steven Gerrard?
And don't forget that Robbie was causing a few problems by this point with his behaviour and Owen was on the rise. Also we'd just let Macca go, or he'd forced his way out, with the Bosman debacle so we don't want another huge financial loss on the books.
I don't think Fowler appreciated Houllier's professional approach. Loved Fowler but it was obviously the right decision to get rid of him at that stage, for that amount of money.
