Is Gerrard a footballing genius?

[Jazzmaster]

World Class Yes. Genius, no.

King Kenny and Robbie Fowler and perhaps Jan Molby. All geniuses.

[badpiggy]

The word genius is entirely subjective so I have no problems if anyone disagrees with the original poster. However many of the other posts seem to suggest SG is an inconsistent technically competent player who works hard and that seems crazy.

Gerrard is one of the few players in England (English or otherwise) that is widely accepted as world class (another highly subjective phrase). Although he might not hit the creative heights of some of the others mentioned this doesn't mean he isn't supremely talented. Perhaps part of the problem is that he makes the game look so effortless that it's easier to take him for granted.

Over the years he has played right-back, left-mid, centre-mid, right-mid and up front and has never looked anything other than quality in any of them (my opinion of course). How many other players in the world could do that?

I'm not saying that I think he is a genius - in footballing terms I wouldn't even like to guess how many there have ever been, if any. However I think some people have overlooked some of his obvious talents.

best first post ever. welcome. someone promote this guy/girl.

[kop-al-74]

YNWA Stevie Gerrard.The most complete player in world football at present.Fcking genius!

[El Jefecito]

The word genius is entirely subjective so I have no problems if anyone disagrees with the original poster. However many of the other posts seem to suggest SG is an inconsistent technically competent player who works hard and that seems crazy.

Gerrard is one of the few players in England (English or otherwise) that is widely accepted as world class (another highly subjective phrase). Although he might not hit the creative heights of some of the others mentioned this doesn't mean he isn't supremely talented. Perhaps part of the problem is that he makes the game look so effortless that it's easier to take him for granted.

Over the years he has played right-back, left-mid, centre-mid, right-mid and up front and has never looked anything other than quality in any of them (my opinion of course). How many other players in the world could do that?

I'm not saying that I think he is a genius - in footballing terms I wouldn't even like to guess how many there have ever been, if any. However I think some people have overlooked some of his obvious talents.

[sherby57]

best first post ever. welcome. someone promote this guy/girl.

Ta for the compliment! I was expecting a kicking for the post so it came as a pleasant surprise! I've been a lurker for a few months and been close to posting a few times but I really had to when I read this thread. I was quite shocked to see how down on SG that some people were. Everyone has there own opinion (especially when it comes to football) but come on!

P.S. I'm a guy!

[dww]

Ta for the compliment! I was expecting a kicking for the post so it came as a pleasant surprise! I've been a lurker for a few months and been close to posting a few times but I really had to when I read this thread. I was quite shocked to see how down on SG that some people were. Everyone has there own opinion (especially when it comes to football) but come on!

P.S. I'm a guy!

I think that most people are down on Gerrard only in comparative terms. Both in terms of the fact that he sets a very high standard for himself and last year by that standard was disappointing and peoples views are coloured by the last few big games we played and he wasn't a dominating influence in any of them. The comparison to Liverpool greats of yesteryear I think is slightly unfair as they have achieved what they did and Gerrard has several more years in which to prove himself.

The best time to judge a player in terms like genius is at the end of their career.

[dww]

Oh and you shouldn't feel afraid of the reaction to posts especially if you keep your early quality up

[Bob]

[B]


His whinging at his team-mates gets on my tits big style.

Balls. It's what leaders do. The job needs doing.

He should do it more.

[sherby57]

I think that most people are down on Gerrard only in comparative terms. Both in terms of the fact that he sets a very high standard for himself and last year by that standard was disappointing and peoples views are coloured by the last few big games we played and he wasn't a dominating influence in any of them. The comparison to Liverpool greats of yesteryear I think is slightly unfair as they have achieved what they did and Gerrard has several more years in which to prove himself.

The best time to judge a player in terms like genius is at the end of their career.

Yeah, I totally agree. Hindsight is a wonderful thing. And looking back at the career of legends it's easy to have a selective memory and only remember the great moments.

I also think Gerrard made a bit of a rod for his own back by scoring 20+ goals the season before last - it would have been virtually impossible to live up to that. I think in 20 years time when we look back at this career then it will sink in just how good he was (is!).

Of course that doesn't mean we'll think he was a genius, which was the original point of the thread. Maybe we should try and work on an est1892 consensus of the criteria of a footballing genius!

[dww]

Of course that doesn't mean we'll think he was a genius, which was the original point of the thread. Maybe we should try and work on an est1892 consensus of the criteria of a footballing genius!

Have you missed out on previous efforts to define world class? It's entertaining to see how worked up people get.

[sherby57]

Have you missed out on previous efforts to define world class? It's entertaining to see how worked up people get.

I've sadly missed that debate lol. They do discuss it every other day on TalkSport though and never seem to reach an answer (although that doesn't say alot since it's TalkSport!).

I hereby withdraw my offer of discussing a definition of genius then! I'll stick to my original point that it's entirely subjective.

[Steve101]

Legend? Well on the way. Genius? Nah...not so far...just excellent. Anyone who holds the Chavski wobble against him isn't being sensible imho.

I think thats just about right. IMO he's a level below the players mentioned in the first post, BUT....he could still become one of our greatest, just possibly. It's not just about ability with a football, those players could (and did consistently) grab a game by the scruff of its neck and take complete control. Stevie can do that, but not enought times yet. Still one of the best around at the moment, if not THE best player curently playing.

[kop-al-74]

I've sadly missed that debate lol. They do discuss it every other day on TalkSport though and never seem to reach an answer (although that doesn't say alot since it's TalkSport!).

I hereby withdraw my offer of discussing a definition of genius then! I'll stick to my original point that it's entirely subjective.

Welcome to the site mate.I aswell listen to talksport most of my working life.

[nbryan1764]

I don't understand people being on a downer on him for having his head turned at a young age by the richest team in the world. The same team that he turned his back on because he simply could not walk out on his beloved Liverpool and after thinking over it for one night proclaimed he wanted to stay at the club he loves for as long as he was wanted. The same club that he has just signed another new contract for, no fuss no bother.

On to the football. I have never thought of him as a genius in the way that the King was and possibly Robbie and John Barnes. However even the genii (I think thats the plural!) are not always the best players but its more natural. Therefore despite my not considering him as a genius I think he is still the second greatest player I have seen at this club only behind my all time idol Dalglish.

Thats all

[Marky]

Balls. It's what leaders do. The job needs doing.

He should do it more.

Balls. 'Leaders' give out constructive criticism. That job needs doing ala Roy Keane at Utd.

Not whinging when he himself has fcuked up a pass or whatever.