He's still got the killer ball and got a place in the team...but he's going to have bad games like all other players - and he's had some this season. He shouldn't be exempt from being subbed off just because of the captaincy or because he is who he is. We shouldn't be forced to take off our best players because BR has no balls to sub off certain others. That's the main issue I have with the Swansea match.
Gerrard still has the class to win matches but people have to accept he's a different player now. Look at what United do with the likes of Scholes and Giggs, are they as good as they used to be? No clearly not. Can they still contribute to a title winning side? Quite possibly. Plus he's only just 32, he could still be playing for a few years yet. As an opposing fan (and player I'm sure) you look at the Liverpool midfield without him and there's no fear factor, he's worth more than just one player by the fact opponents will worry about keeping track of him. He needs to be used correctly, other clubs accomodate players like Pirlo, Scholes, etc by playing people around them who do some of the 'hard work' so they can concentrate on providing space and quality. Fans need to change their expectations, BR needs to use him correctly and Gerrard needs to continue his adaptation to a new role - if he still sees himself as a box-to-box player he'll be a busted flush pretty soon but from what I've seen he is changing his game appropriately tbh.
Gerrard on FIFpro midfield shortlist. http://www1.skysports.com/football/...nk-Lampard-named-on-FIFPro-midfield-shortlist He won't end up in the final chosen line-up but at least he got a mention.
He can still contribute a lot but he needs to move up and play as a 10 or on the LW or RW. He leaves us far too thin in the middle and the oppo plow through our midfield so easily and quickly. Hopefully when Lucas is back this will help Gerrard but he's harming us where he is now rather than contributing and BR has got to grow some bals and move him/drop him/sub him as and when required.
I truly hope that when we get lucas back, we will start to see Gerrard playing 10-15 yards further forward.
Feel this thread needs a bump . My OP still stands, especially with two more botched "hollywood" passes which were straight to Spurs players and resulted in immediate counters and shots on goal. our midfield future comprises of a mix of Allen/Sahin/Lucas and SHelvey. Gerrard brings none of the spark he used to, he's been a shadow for a while now.
I thought Gerrard played better (not great, better) today but that could be more to do with how poor Allen and Henderson were
He has been poor recently but tonight was the only midfield player pulling the trigger with first time passes and moving things forward while Allen and Henderson were stood still dawdling on the ball. He released Enrique and Sterling countless times tonight and should have had a penalty in the first half.
I didn't think he was too bad, apart from being caught in possession a couple of times. But he wasn't amazing either. I hate how he is so easily beaten - just one touch and you're past him. But a midfield trio of Allen, Gerrard and Henderson does not inspire me at all. Would rather have a half fit Lucas, out of sorts Sahin and an inexperienced Suso at this rate haha
Gerrard has to be replaced now. Whilst he still has a good reputation he still has a value. Sell him.
Not only is he easily beaten, but he doesnt seem to have the drive to track back once they are past him. I was a bit drunk watching the game but I'm sure I remember Lennon megging him at one point and he just slumped his shoulders and let play run away from him. If that was me in my pub-team days I'd have ran back and smashed the little sh*t for doing it! On the offensive side though, he was the only man looking for the runs of our forward players and the incisive pass. 2-0 down, shuffling the ball around our back four whilst the Spuds just sit back and observe was never going to win us anything...
Would have made more sense to play Gerrard right forward, Sterling left and put Enrique left back bringing in either Suso or Sahin (or both). Gerrard then could have whipped some of those delicious balls in for Andy....oh wait...no that isn't right is it I just don't agree with this bull**** people are chatting about dropping him though...BR needs to learn how to get the best out of him and fast. Getting rid of Mandy might have enabled us to learn a wonderful new style where we spend half an hour passing it between defenders and keeper but it certainly hasn't helped Gerrard who seemed to link with him very well.
I agree - his does play some great passes to release wingers and start attacks. But I don't see him as a leader anymore. He doesn't seem that vocal anymore and he doesn't lead by example anymore. Billy mentions that he see's him talking to the players so I might be mistaken.
Oh he does a lot of talking and organising but I do agree that he doesn't seem the same as he was. The thing with Gerrard is he always did most of his talking with his feet. He led the team by being a brilliant player as much as anything. He isn't doing that now so I can see why you see it that way. I do realise where your coming from JS. You think he's costing us and maybe he is at times. The thing with me is I honestly think there's life in Stevie G yet and if BR can find a way to get him firing again we'll be so much better off for it. He's far from his best but has he really just lost it? Has all that drive, passing ability, thunderous shooting and speed of thought just disappeared? I find it hard to believe but then it is a funny old game sometimes. The slower paced, passing game was never going to suit him (at first at least) but I certainly don't think he's been our worst player so let's sort those players first and if Gerrard doesn't fire with better players around him then BR can cross that bridge when he needs to. For now at least we all know he WILL play. In which case Rodgers has to try and ring more out of him and the more I think about it the more sure I am that Carroll coming back would suit Gerrard. Won't happen though.
