Will the real SG please stand up?

[kurtangle01]

I was talking with a lad last night and the conclusion we came to was that with Momo constantly chasing down the play Stevie needs to play deeper to cover the space that Momo leaves. Normall it's not a problem when he plays with Mascher or Xabi because they have a better positional sense and more poise on the ball allowing Stevie to play further up the pitch.

I agree though Stevie has been poor for one reason or another and has to step up his game in the coming weeks.

We've got our toughest sequence of matches coming up and we'll have to improve on last nights performance if we're going to take as many points as possible.

[El Jefecito]

In my opinion, Gerrard is not above dropping. He shouldn't be guaranteed his starting place, and again in my opinion, Alonso and Mascherano work better together than Gerrard with either of them.

no argument from me

So what does that mean for SGs long term future. 3rd choice CM, moved to the right?

[El Jefecito]

Without having read the vast bulk of this thread - I have to take my hat off to JohnnyH for raising this taboo option. Good stuff.

Gerrard may be a problem wrt the balance of this team. Undoubtedly a great player but he needs a focus (position) to channel his talents. Could he even work as an out-and-out second striker? Not just behind Torres but alongside?

Good man JohnnyH

Frank.

I get the impression that Stevie G is going to do what Stevie G wants. I don't think he is smart enough to adapt and he doesn't appear to have the right mentality to accept or perform in a different role. Remember the whole issue with him @ RW. That sort of underlines the point.

[El Jefecito]

I really doubt that. Steven Gerrard needs to be unleashed on the opposite defence without wondering whether the person sitting behind him can actually protect that back four. Xabi is a fantastic playmaker in his own right and can play instead of Gerrard but not with him. As balague said alonso plays deep but that does not mean that he is a defensive midfielder.

People should also remember that Gerrard is a human being. After being involved in an accident with a child, im not really surprised that his mind was not on the game last night.
£100k per week or not - could you play football after seeing a kid injured like that ?

But that only explains why he was crap yesterday. What about the prior 5 games? How many different excuses is he allowed for his poor form over the last 18 months?

[El Jefecito]

Having seen Benitez' work first hand in spain i knew immediately that he would begin to curtail gerrard's influence on the team. For 3 or so seasons him and owen basically carried us but Benitez believes in systems and not individuals. Gerrard dominated every aspect of our play and was owen's main supply line for goals. It was becoming the owen and gerrard show every week.

Hence the purchase of Alonso. He was bought as a REPLACEMENT for gerrard who benitez was led to believe was on the verge of joining chelsea. When this did not happen he was left with 2 first choice playmakers. I still believe that Benitez would not be unhappy if Gerrard left.

I believe he has to stay as he is a complete one off. A player who can do everything. The complete midfield player and one of the best players to ever play for liverpool.

I agree BUT Xabi needs to be the cornerstone of our team, not SG. SG needs to be treated in the same way as pennant, only chosen when the game suits his style of play. If we need to 'control from midfield' then he shouldn't be playing as he has demonstrated he can't run the game by himself.

[El Jefecito]

I was talking with a lad last night and the conclusion we came to was that with Momo constantly chasing down the play Stevie needs to play deeper to cover the space that Momo leaves. Normall it's not a problem when he plays with Mascher or Xabi because they have a better positional sense and more poise on the ball allowing Stevie to play further up the pitch.

I agree though Stevie has been poor for one reason or another and has to step up his game in the coming weeks.

We've got our toughest sequence of matches coming up and we'll have to improve on last nights performance if we're going to take as many points as possible.

I think the last 18 months have proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that Stevie is not holding midfielder. Even if he was it would be a shameful waste of his talents to play in that role.

[rushscored4]

If you don't agree with what he says, **** him...

Give him a smack

Oi, you, stick to busking!!

[thesilverfoxlfc]

And then re open it after Spurs when he has had another ****e game.

Probably

[peekay]

I think the last 18 months have proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that Stevie is not holding midfielder. Even if he was it would be a shameful waste of his talents to play in that role.

Agree with everything you have said on this thread SpeedyG....

Stevie needs to go back on the right. Give him a free role and ask him to cut inside or do whatever to influence the game from there. Occasionaly when we are getting mugged on the RHS ask him to provide protection there.

As for Alonso, even at his worst form he does the simple things correctly and keeps the team ticking. Surprised that loads of people mention his performance against Spurs and Norwich in his first season and do not mention his performance against Juve away.

He came back from a 3 month injury after playing reserves for 45 minutes and absolutely mugged Emerson and Co. One of the greatest midfield display I have ever seen.

[El Jefecito]

Agree with everything you have said on this thread SpeedyG....

Stevie needs to go back on the right. Give him a free role and ask him to cut inside or do whatever to influence the game from there. Occasionaly when we are getting mugged on the RHS ask him to provide protection there.

As for Alonso, even at his worst form he does the simple things correctly and keeps the team ticking. Surprised that loads of people mention his performance against Spurs and Norwich in his first season and do not mention his performance against Juve away.

He came back from a 3 month injury after playing reserves for 45 minutes and absolutely mugged Emerson and Co. One of the greatest midfield display I have ever seen.

You make more sense, than 90% of the posters on here. Hence you will probably be hounded out

[ningnangnong]

Anyone care to put up a poll for where Stevie should play and the options: In the centre, on the right, drop him or sell him.

[Marky]

If Gerrard is still not at the races and continuing to look as if he doesn't give a **** on the pitch by the time Alonso returns then i'd love to see Rafa drop him for a few games.
Give him a good ****ing kick up the backside he so badly needs atm.
Sort it out Stevie, no excuses now!!!

[mersey86]

i think sunday i,ll give te game a miss and be lazy round the house - make a change top hear the mrs moaning rather than the "knowledgable" liverpool fans

You know, during the Marseille game I was depressed at the result and the reports, but not half so much as reading the match thread. You expect it from some, but that thread should be saved for happier times - there's a few should feel embarrassed in the months ahead.

[ningnangnong]

You know, during the Marseille game I was depressed at the result and the reports, but not half so much as reading the match thread. You expect it from some, but that thread should be saved for happier times - there's a few should feel embarrassed in the months ahead.

You should never read match threads on here.

There's usually 100's posts saying Voronin is ****ing **** why the **** did we sign the pony tailed ****, and then he scores and it's more like Voronin is the new Pele, sign him up for life.

Full of knee jerks match threads are.

[Guest]

You should never read match threads on here.

There's usually 100's posts saying Voronin is ****ing **** why the **** did we sign the pony tailed ****, and then he scores and it's more like Voronin is the new Pele, sign him up for life.

Full of knee jerks match threads are.

I'm staying away from them from now on. Even if we win the league. It equally applies when we're winning.