Steven Gerrard

[RichC]

One worry with Gerrard for me playing where he is currently is the number of times the play just bypasses him and he doesn't make the effort to get back in front of play.

The centre of midfield just hasn't quite worked for me so far this season; that being said we're 2nd in the table after 6 games so maybe there's a little too much nitpicking

[Norbs]

We're only a point ahead of Everton so it's not that good

[RichC]

It's still a point

[Zapater]

Definitely concerned about him, and our entire central midfield pivot in general. Him and Lucas are doing okay now, but I'm unsure that they will be able to do it for the duration of the season. I like Lucas but I don't think he's as good as many of our fans think. There's no real back up options, unless Allen comes good or Henderson moves back into this position. Still though, we're down a real DM or something like that.

That being said, good players have a way of getting things done well despite these problems - Gerrard is a good player so hopefully he'll be able to make up for it.

[RedReet]

I’d love to know what people are expecting from this new wonder DM. We currently have a DM that shields a defence that always performs way above it’s league position, rarely gives the ball away and dominates every defensive stat across the league. That was also playing in front of a keeper that couldn’t save shots, FB’s that can’t defend and CB’s that are massively overrated according to some. We conceded the same amount of goals as the champions last year and were 3rd best in the league the year before, despite having two awful seasons. Bar growing by a few feet and painting himself black, I don’t know how much more we can expect from our DM in our current set up.

[Patricks_Berger]

I’d love to know what people are expecting from this new wonder DM. We currently have a DM that shields a defence that always performs way above it’s league position, rarely gives the ball away and dominates every defensive stat across the league. That was also playing in front of a keeper that couldn’t save shots, FB’s that can’t defend and CB’s that are massively overrated according to some. We conceded the same amount of goals as the champions last year and were 3rd best in the league the year before, despite having two awful seasons. Bar growing by a few feet and painting himself black, I don’t know how much more we can expect from our DM in our current set up.

I rate Lucas but I think he suffers on two counts:

1. He is our only specialist in this position and therefore has to play too many minutes. Playing too many minutes results in his level dropping.

2. He is our only specialist in this position and therefore has no competition which causes his level to drop.

A separate issue, for the team generally, is that there are some situations where a greater physical presence would be beneficial. Related to this issue is the fact that Gerrard needs others to do some of his running & Lucas is not the most athletic.

[Arn]

I rate Lucas but I think he suffers on two counts:

1. He is our only specialist in this position and therefore has to play too many minutes. Playing too many minutes results in his level dropping.

2. He is our only specialist in this position and therefore has no competition which causes his level to drop.

A separate issue, for the team generally, is that there are some situations where a greater physical presence would be beneficial. Related to this issue is the fact that Gerrard needs others to do some of his running & Lucas is not the most athletic.

He make so many tackles and challenges that sooner or later he will again get a bad injury if he isn't rested a few games a season. You can also add that when he get tired then he will make more late yellow card tackles because his timing will be worse.

[Finnish_Red]

He make so many tackles and challenges that sooner or later he will again get a bad injury if he isn't rested a few games a season. You can also add that when he get tired then he will make more late yellow card tackles because his timing will be worse.

Yellow cards -> bans -> games rested. Problem solved.

[RedReet]

I rate Lucas but I think he suffers on two counts:

1. He is our only specialist in this position and therefore has to play too many minutes. Playing too many minutes results in his level dropping.

2. He is our only specialist in this position and therefore has no competition which causes his level to drop.

A separate issue, for the team generally, is that there are some situations where a greater physical presence would be beneficial. Related to this issue is the fact that Gerrard needs others to do some of his running & Lucas is not the most athletic.

1. I only think that's a problem because of his injury. If 100% I'm not really sure there is a need to be rested that often, especially in season's like this when we're not in Europe.

2. While there is every chance that having direct competition might make him move up a gear, he’s been fairly consistent without and his best form for us was without any real competition. Not to mention when he did have competition here he was ‘crap’.

This is not to say I don’t think we need cover for Lucas because we do. Equally I agree that in certain matches we could do with a bit more power in midfield, however I don’t think it’s as essential as some.

[RichC]

Steven Gerrard insists Liverpool must not get carried away with an impressive start to the current season– and the skipper believes finishing in the top four remains the Reds' priority.

After seven games of the current Barclays Premier League campaign, Brendan Rodgers' side sit joint top of the table alongside Arsenal.

However, Gerrard was keen to play down any talk of a title challenge, citing a return to Europe's elite competition as the main focus for the squad.

"I am the captain of my boyhood team," said Gerrard. "I have a special relationship with staff and supporters.

"There is a bond there. I've never made decisions financially. I make them with my heart - and that's why I haven't moved on.

"I'd never say never about our *chances of winning the Premier League title. But if I'm being honest, that's not the aim. The aim is for a top-four place.

"My only regrets are the times I've had lows at Liverpool. But I find I have learned more from the lows. The feelings the fans go through at the end of a match - I feel them too.

"There's a lot at stake every time I pull on a shirt for Liverpool."

Gerrard will skipper England in their final World Cup qualifier against Poland at Wembley on Tuesday, where a win will see Roy Hodgson's side secure a place at next year's tournament in Brazil.

The game comes on the back of a commanding 4-1 victory over Montenegro on Friday night, when Daniel Sturridge fired the fourth from the penalty spot to edge England closer to qualification.

Gerrard reflected: "The result [against Montenegro] will give us a huge lift and it's good for confidence going into the final game.

"But the message is that the job's half done. Poland are a very good team. They're going to come and do us no favours, like Montenegro, and try to make it really difficult for us.

"It's important that we perform to the same level as on Friday night."

http://liverpoolfc.com/news/latest-news/147005-sg-there-s-a-lot-at-stake-every-time

[Sarb]

Someone should tell him that bond isn't as strong on some of the fans side with him as he thinks.

I love the guy though. True legend

[RichC]

I think there are very few fans that don't appreciate what Gerrard has done for the club over the past 12/13 years.

[Tee]

Someone should tell him that bond isn't as strong on some of the fans side with him as he thinks.

I love the guy though. True legend

You hate him compared to how much I love him Sarb.

He is the greatest ever for me. Infact he is my favourite player of all time, followed by Maradona, Zidane, Rushie, real Ronaldo and Van Basten (sure I am forgetting a few more )

[Sarb]

You hate him compared to how much I love him Sarb.

He is the greatest ever for me. Infact he is my favourite player of all time, followed by Maradona, Zidane, Rushie, real Ronaldo and Van Basten (sure I am forgetting a few more )

No way Tee. That is impossible. My love for the guy knows no bounds.

[Gibbo]

Was immense for England tonight. That is all.