Steven Gerrard

[Tee]

49-45 in favour

You can always rely on us Internet Terrorists.

[Charly]

Does anyone else think he could be much more use to us playing in a withdrawn striker, like Dennis Bergkamp used to do?

I think he would be exploiting his abilities and relying less on his body, wgich may not be able to keep up with the riggours of the role he is currently in. It was also provide a better link man, as I think this has been a problem for us this season.

[G]

In Coutinhos absence I'd play him behind the front two and I find it amazing that he hasn't played further up very often if at all during Brendans reign especially since he's hasn't been overly brilliant further back for the most part. He's been good but he offers much more further up imo. He's still one of the best finishers we have at the club and has an eye for a pass that could be vital while big Phil is out.

Put Henderson beside Lucas and release Stevie to run amok.

[Shaggy]

Totally agree. He can play in CM, and is capable of putting in some top performances, but he is inconsistent and tries high risk passes too often. Those high risk passes would be better played further up the pitch IMO, and I don't really think he needs 'legs' to play that role as much as others do.

[The_weatherman]

Totally agree. He can play in CM, and is capable of putting in some top performances, but he is inconsistent and tries high risk passes too often. Those high risk passes would be better played further up the pitch IMO, and I don't really think he needs 'legs' to play that role as much as others do.

I agree, if anything he needs the legs where he is now IMO, push him further forward and he wont have to track the runners from midfield constantly.

[dww]

Totally agree. He can play in CM, and is capable of putting in some top performances, but he is inconsistent and tries high risk passes too often. Those high risk passes would be better played further up the pitch IMO, and I don't really think he needs 'legs' to play that role as much as others do.

I think the whole midfield should be looking to play higher up the pitch and we seemed to be doing it last season. For whatever reason Rodgers has made a decision to actively change that. I wonder if the idea is to have a solid start to the season and then build in the second half of the season as we did last year. Given our better start if we can take advantage of other teams being pre-occupied with Europe it could work.

Of course we could just be struggling to adapt to changes that Rodgers has made to make us more sturdy at the back, we did look fragile at times last year.

[Tee]

I think the whole midfield should be looking to play higher up the pitch and we seemed to be doing it last season. For whatever reason Rodgers has made a decision to actively change that. I wonder if the idea is to have a solid start to the season and then build in the second half of the season as we did last year. Given our better start if we can take advantage of other teams being pre-occupied with Europe it could work.

Of course we could just be struggling to adapt to changes that Rodgers has made to make us more sturdy at the back, we did look fragile at times last year.

[BigChief]

Does anyone else think he could be much more use to us playing in a withdrawn striker, like Dennis Bergkamp used to do?

I think he would be exploiting his abilities and relying less on his body, wgich may not be able to keep up with the riggours of the role he is currently in. It was also provide a better link man, as I think this has been a problem for us this season.

I guess this is Brendan's next big 'pride test'. Just like with going 3 at the back (correctly), will he accept defeat and put Gerrard in his most dangerous position in the short term?

Not that its a stick to beat Brendan with if he doesn't.

[cream]

If we take Gerrard out of CM, who do we play there instead ?

[BigChief]

Its been mentioned many times above. Henderson + Lucas.

[cream]

Not going to work, we need to stick with Gerrard for now.

[BigChief]

Not really working great with Gerrard + Lucas right now. So while Coutinho is out we can 'afford' to take this minimal risk.

[Chris]

If we take Gerrard out of CM, who do we play there instead ?

Indeed. He's still our best midfielder, was everywhere on sunday, still bombing forward in the last minute, set up a goal, incredible pass for the second, was heading away crosses in our box near the end etc. You'd think he's the worst player in the division the way some are going on, especially on RAWK.

[baitman]

gerrard should be playing from the half way line and up to the opposition box. try and control the middle of the pitch with minimal running, linking the defence and attack, always available for a pass. as we all know he can tackle and pass. his running is becoming suspect. if he is further forward then he should be able to drop the long pass and allow us to keep better control and possession.

[-V-]

I think Gerrard wants to play the position he is playing now, He enjoys being in the midst of everything and he is more comfortable doing that now because we have genuinely quality attackers infront of him