by Rob Ward
To many Liverpool FC fans, the mere suggestion that Steven Gerrard’s star is on the wane borders on sacrilegious. But, objectively speaking, it’s undoubtedly true. The captain missed 24 of his club’s 52 games last season and his influence in those that he played (a magnificent Merseyside derby hat-trick apart) was marginal. In fact, Liverpool’s win percentage without him in the side (62%) was significantly better than with him (40%). Under Brendon Rogers’ stewardship, Gerrard’s influence might be diluted still further.
Rodgers’ brand of possession football relies heavily on a patient short-passing game which is entirely alien to Gerrard. His direct-passing, box-to-box, lung-busting style often reveals a lack of trust in his teammates as he attempts to perform their roles as well as his own. This mindset is completely at odds with that of Rodgers’ collaborative and cohesive collective. Of course, the manager has successfully re-invented players like Leon Britten and integrated them into his system – but will Gerrard’s ego allow him to sacrifice his instincts for the team? The Anfield faithful will desperately hope so.
It will not be easy, though. Liverpool FC’s midfield severely lacks the pace, control and zip required to emulate Rodgers’ Swansea style. Charlie Adam is ponderous in possession, Stewart Downing crosses prolifically but profligately and Jordan Henderson has failed to convince anywhere across the middle of the park. For Rodgers’ tiki-taka to take root maybe he will look to returning loanees Alberto Aquilani and Joe Cole. The industry and class of Lucas Leiva will also be key upon his return from injury. And it would be little surprise to see some of Swansea’s successful 2011/12 vintage crossing the Welsh border. Joe Allen would be a great fit, Gylfi Sigurdsson’s permanent transfer looks eminently hijackable and either Scott Sinclair or Nathan Dyer would offer pace and width seldom seen under Kenny Dalglish.
It’s going to be extremely interesting to watch Brendon Rodgers’ marrying the aesthetic beauty of Swansea’s style with the more pragmatic approach which currently exists at Anfield – let’s just hope it doesn’t lead to the Swan’s wings being completely clipped and, further north, to herald the beginning of the end for Steven Gerrard.
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if the new manager wants to get the sack dropping gerrard is proberbly the fastest way, because he,s our best asset most versitile player i think brendons style of play will be perfect for gerrard more so than most pro players.wake up rob ward your talking about gerrard england and liverpools captain you cant be that numb or was this article put out just so you would get peaples back up and some hits on your site
dont take to long moderating my comment ha
Maybe you need to read the article again, Joe.
I haven’t suggested that Gerrard be dropped anywhere in the piece. What i have suggested is that he isn’t the player he was, that his influence might be diluted further and that Brendon Rodgers has a huge task in reconfiguiring Liverpool’s midfield.
Do you really think he’s as good as he was four or five years ago? Even the most myopic Red would have to admit that he’s not capable of performing as he used to. For what it’s worth, he’d be my England captain despite his relative decline. But that doesn’t mean he’s beyond criticsm.
I’ve also suggested that tactically Gerrard isn’t the most astute player and will need to take Rodgers’ feedback on board to ensure he fits into the system. I backed that point up by stating that Rodgers has done something similar with lesser players like Leon Britton. I’ve also said that Anfield will be ‘desperately hoping’ Rodgers can do this.
If i’d wanted to write a hatchet job on Stevie G i could easily have done so. But i haven’t. Because he was, and still is, a very good footballer – albeit one who will need to adapt his game as the system at Anfield evolves and as his body becomes less reliable (in much the same way as Scholes, Carragher, Del Piero, Giggs and others have modified their games as they enter the latter years of their careers).
To suggest Liverpool would follow the “Style” of Swansea is a bit bizarre, they are already a short passing team – from under the reign of Dalglish,one of the reasons Carroll struggled to get a game early season.
As for Stevie Gerrard – well he has proved over many seasons he can adapt his game, he could quite easily play at right back or central defence, both with absolute ease, dont right him off just yet.
Good question though……..
this is nonsense., someone trying to stir the pot. Gerrard is well capable of playing a pass n move style of football.