gerrard as captain?

[pezzzer]

just everyones thoughts really

for me he is the most complete player in europe, but as a captain i'm not so sure. mascherano was heading for a fall last sunday from the first yellow, if i and most other people could see it why didnt gerrard?

does he inspire the troops enough when are backs are against the wall? not just on the big occasions but against lower opposition when the points are still vital?

[Alan Key]

Essien is the most complete player in Europe.

[einar]

It does seem to me we do need a Souness/Kean type captain. Someone who gets players attention in important games. Mascherano was not listening to anyone last Sunday.

Having said that I dont think we have anyone better then Gerrard.

[Red Chilli]

He leads by example. He's an inspiration to the rest of the team. I'm quite satisfied with Gerrard as captain.

As for Essien, not enough goals to be the most complete player in europe IMO

[AFII]

He leads by example. He's an inspiration to the rest of the team. I'm quite satisfied with Gerrard as captain.

As for Essien, not enough goals to be the most complete player in europe IMO

The ultimate Captain would be a clone of Gerrard and Masch. Gerrard is the most complete player but not the best one.

[pezzzer]

Essien is the most complete player in Europe.

you really think that? i wouldnt put him in my top 20 mate.

[frank the tank]

essien isnt even the most complete player in the chelsea squad if you ask me. Gerrard IS the most complete footballer in world football in my rose-tinted opinion. Name any other player that could have done what he did in the 2005 champions league final.....bearing in mind im not just talking about scoring the header and winning the penalty. the guy switched to right back and played like a man possessed...... probably one of the top 5 individual performances i have ever seen......

as for the initial subject of being captain. I honestly think that when ged made him captain, it was more to keep him happy in his nappy.... there was no reason to take it off sami at that time.... A lot of people think jamie should get the nod but im no so sure - plus he might not be a no1 starter every week when agger and skrtel click together and form the new cb partnership. Alonso could have been captain but his form has dropped considerably and he is not even guaranteed a starting place any longer.....

that leaves mascherano and although he might be a born leader, is his english up to scratch to be a useful captain? (although with our personnel, is that relevant) i not so sure.....

if it was taken off stevie, then he'd get the right hump anyway........and probably demand to leave...which would be bad for lfc.....

so in conclusion, yes it is best that stevie stays as captain....

(although agger or skrtel might be ready to take over in 4 years or so....)

[einar]

Torres has been captain before, Agger could do it much sooner then in 4 years imo. Mascher is a good option when his English improves. I dont think we need to worry.

[pezzzer]

personally, when masch's english is better id like to see him as captain. the guy breathes passion and as much as i respect stevie as a player, for me he still hasnt steped up tho the plate season long like souness.

when ever i've heard stevie speak he seems like a very nice considerate guy but i think we need to see a different side on the pitch in terms of captaincy.
more control over the team please stevie.

[Joe King]

It really depends on what sort of captain the manager wants. Some managers like the inspiration in terms of chest thumping, vocal captain or lead by example. Both types are more than acceptable.

Gerrard is seen as not being a player who leads by example in terms of management of players on the pitch. Of course we would like to see Gerrard scream into players faces' to show passion and honour for Liverpool but that is just not his style. You can guarantee it hurts him as much as any Liverpool fan when Liverpool lose a match. His style of captaincy is to lead by inspiration, grab the team by the scruff off the neck sort of thing.

Carragher to a lot of fans is seen as the ideal captain as he leads with commitment, heart, hunger, desire, passion. Everything Liverpool epitomise. Idolised by Liverpool fans for his humbleness, his knowledge but most importantly his character.

The question I pose is, is Carragher being captain the way forward in order to succeed in the Premiership? How do we know he would change his character any differently? Would he be more aggressive towards the referees and his team-mates? We simply just don't know and at this moment in time with Benitez trying to rebuild the side, do we need change for the sake of it?

I believe Gerrard has stepped up his game since becoming captain by taking more on his shoulders and more or less carrying the side for a number of years. The number of inspirational performances to march to Istanbul, shall I remind thee about 'Ya Beauty'?

It was interesting to see Arbeloa say Carragher is the leader in the changing room and I think it should stay like that. To the players, Carragher is boss and probably to Gerrard also. To the media and the marketing side its Gerrard but I'm not saying Gerrard is just a 'pretty face' He is much more than that. He is one of the most successful Liverpool players and captains and long may he continue captaining the most wonderful side in the world.

[Marky]

No comment.

[NicoBernetini]

No Gerrard is the most complete player in Europe.

You don't see Essien scoring 15+ a season.
You don't see Ronaldo or Kaka making last ditch tackles on the edge of the box.

[Nic83]

Carra is our captain. **** the armband. Thay all know who the captain is.

[Nic83]

Essien is the most complete player in Europe.

Yeah he's a goal machine with a fabulous eye for a through ball.

[El Jefecito]

SG is a good captain, but lacks a few of the esssential skills. Man management and serving as a focal point. He's never going to add these to his game, so Rafa should be looking to add to the first teams that provide this attributes to compliment what we already have in SG. Remember the difference adding Gar Mac added to the mentality of the team. We need something like that.