Dalglish v Gerrard

[LFCman]

It's widely believed that King Kenny is the greatest player to have pulled on the Liverpool shirt. But certainly our current skipper would have to go down as one of our best players for the last 16 years.

How do you think the two compare in terms of their standing as club greats? Will Gerrard go on to be the best player to have ever played for the club?

IMO it is a bit hard to grasp while Gerrard is still in the prime of his career but I certainly feel once his career is over we'll mention him in the same breath as the likes of Dalglish. If he goes on to lift number 19 for us then it will only confirm his status as a legend for the club. Those games v Olympiakos, Milan and the Hammers already have him written in Scouse folklore no matter what else he achieves with us.

[Joey Jones]

Obviously they are both Legends, however at the moment King Kenny pips it for me as being the greatest player for Liverpool. Purely on the fact (as you mentioned) that Gerrard is still playing.

He

[Tom]

If he stays.

[Joey Jones]

He's going nowhere!!

[LFCman]

He's going nowhere!!

Correct.

Kenny was the King.
Fowler is God.
Gerrard is the new Prince and will go on to be the King.

[Neuklon]

I'm still unsure if Gerrard is better than Souness. Whilst he bombs around the pitch with gusto Gerrard rarely controls a game like a man with his ability should.

[zimbo]

Have to agree. Irrespective of all that followed Souness is the best midfield player I've ever seen. Whilst not as dynamic as Gerrard, he had the intelligence to dictate a game more effectively than anyone else.

All the press hype around Robson and Hoddle in the 80s was laughable to anyone who saw Souness regularly. He pished on them both from a great height, probably whilst enjoying a nice glass of bubbly or a hob nob or something.

Says it all that it took 2 men (Molby and McMahon) to replace him. Also the greatest captain we've ever had (even greater than Emlyn), someone who truly embodied the ethos of sticking up for your team-mates and intimidating the opposition. Never sent off for us either I don't think, surprisingly enough. Shame it all went a bit Terry Christian as a manager, mind.

Gerrard certainly has the inspirational qualities and could get there, but I think Souness has the edge at the minute.

[puredale]

Souness V Gerrard or Dalglish v Gerrard?

I can't seem to seperate in my head 'Kenny the Player' from 'Kenny the Manager' so any comparision with StevieG becomes impossible for me. Has there ever been a more successful transition from player to player-manager to manager?

KD has a much bigger arse though.

And Souness is a bit of an arsehole.

[Neuklon]

Souness V Gerrard or Dalglish v Gerrard?

My point is that Gerrard is yet to pull the strings in the way a player of his ability should. He's great going forward but terribly naive about leaving the back door wide open so Rafa has to employ Xabi or Momo to shield the defence.

Gerrard is dynamic but when it comes to using the ball intelligently there are few better than Alonso. He knows when to sit deep and spray the ball and when to come forward. Imho Xabi uses his head whereas Gerrard plays with instinct.

[puredale]

Ok I'm with you now. SG has lost some of his 'headless chicken' style since trading No.17 for No.8. Maybe now as he plays with better players around him he will improve still further but I like his 'all action' style and if he became more 'cultured' in a Alonso/Sounessy stylee I think he would loose something from his game.

I see your point 'head v instinct' - when Xabi is out of the side (for whatever reason/Lampard) Gerrard fails to cover for him and we need to alter our tactics to suit.

It is going to be facinating to see when/if Rafa goes with attacking fullbacks (the Brazilains - assuming Alves arrives) what he does with the centre of midfield - play two defensive midfielders or just one.

Anyway, thread highjack in progress, back on topic - what was it again?

[RichC]

I wouldn't say he is naive at leaving the back door open, the problem with last season was that almost all the attacking was being pushed through him which makes it difficult to get back and cover, hence Momo played quite a bit and was outstanding.

This season we already have the possibility of more threat from the left (Aurelio & Speedy) and then there is Bellers with searing pace, Stevie I think may be able to play a more balanced game due to this.

As for Stevie Vs. Kenny, well at the moment it's still the King sitting on top but who knows in 5 - 7 years maybe finally there will be a player worthy of taking his crown...... I have a feeling SG just may well be that player

[Rich]

If it wasn't for Gerrard doing most of the teams threatening attacking play last season, I don't think we'd have 82 points, and I don't think we'd be holders of the FA Cup.

To prevent Gerrard from playing 'his' game, takes too much away from him. Much better to build the team around his talents. (England should also have recognised this during the World Cup)

I can see Gerrard being asked to perform several roles this season - again I think he'll be used on the right, from time to time, he'll also be used through the middle for some games.

It's just fantastic that we have such a great Midfield - with Alonso, Sissoko and Zenden()

[LFCman]

Good thing about Gerrard is that he is a match winner. Even if he is quiet he can still have a major influence on the result. Olympiakos is an example of that as I didn't think he actually had the best of games up until his goal.

The signings of Alonso and Momo were masterpieces by Rafa. I think he can see the raw attacking power the lad has and would prefer Alonso and Momo to marshall the midfield while Gerrard pushes the team forward.

Still, is there a more complete player in todays game?

He can do everything required of anyone on the outfield. I remember v Palace when he played right back. Awesome.

I am too young to have seen Souness regularly. Was he as complete a player as Gerrard is?

[Infadel]

"Who was The Greatest Ever Player......" - whenever this question is posed I always ask another question, "Who would you want in your side before anyone else?" IMHO I would go for Souness - he had everything, skill, a good motor, strength and aggression with that little streak of nastiness that all great midfielders need (Keane, love him or loathe him, was another example). Stevie would come a close second - at the moment!
Incidentally, I would put The Mighty Emlyn in 3rd and Kenny 4th!! - my opinion!!!!

[MrMichael]

I'm not sure comparisons are really fair. In context of the game at their time certain players stand head and shoulders above almost everyone they play against. Stevie G is undoubtedly one of these, as were Daglish, Souness and perhaps even several others of their generation. I'm sure in his own mind Gerrad would feel that he needs to lift the league trophy to be truely considered alongside members of the c.78 - 85 generation.

He's got to be our most spectacularly dramatic player of all time though