Steven Gerrard

[Alex]

Definitely a blow for this season. I do think it could be long term benefit though. He has in many ways shielded a lot of our other players from having to take responsibility. A period with him out could be the making of players like Lucas, Allen or Henderson.

One of the big questions will be who will take set pieces, Gerrard has looked very good this season at whipping the ball in from all sorts of places.

You'd think Suarez. He seems to always want to be involved.

[dww]

You'd think Suarez. He seems to always want to be involved.

I'd rather he was in the box though. I think taking Suarez out would be transferring the problem rather than solving it.

[The_weatherman]

I think Coutinho will take some more now, he has been there for the occasional corner and freekick in to the box. Suarez looks very good on direct free kicks, so got that covered.

Alternative is Henderson that did quite a few corners last season IIRC.

Henderson takes very good freekicks, I'd let Suarez take the direct ones and Henderson the corners and indirect free kicks.

[Alex]

I think with Suarez he always seems to want to take them, because he is like the kid in school who is clearly better than the rest of his team. So wants to do everything.

Maybe you are right. As Darkon said Henderson seems to be able to take Corners and Coutinho can smash in a free kick. Seem to remember him taking some for us before.

[souliv]

Alternative is Henderson that did quite a few corners last season IIRC.

No I don't think so given he can't shoot straight or on target I would not like to see him taking corners.

Stick with Coutinho for corners and Suarez for free kicks

[dww]

I think Coutinho will take some more now, he has been there for the occasional corner and freekick in to the box. Suarez looks very good on direct free kicks, so got that covered.

Alternative is Henderson that did quite a few corners last season IIRC.

I hadn't really thought about Coutinho but it is a good call.

[souliv]

Henderson takes very good freekicks, I'd let Suarez take the direct ones and Henderson the corners and indirect free kicks.

How many goals from free kicks has Henderson scored ???

Leave the free kicks to Luis

[dww]

How many goals from free kicks has Henderson scored ???

Leave the free kicks to Luis

He did say let Luis take the direct ones.

[Muddled]

It happens especially when 33 year olds play three games in 7 days. There was no need to pick him on Saturday. Should've had a rest.

But who do you pick instead? Our midfield needs Gerrard and it will be interesting to see how we figure without him in December. Rodgers has talked about Gerrard's fitness all season and the great shape he's currently in. If Rodgers is convinced Gerrard is match fit and Gerrard is willing to play, I can't see any fault.

[Sarb]

But who do you pick instead? Our midfield needs Gerrard and it will be interesting to see how we figure without him in December. Rodgers has talked about Gerrard's fitness all season and the great shape he's currently in. If Rodgers is convinced Gerrard is match fit and Gerrard is willing to play, I can't see any fault.

[Shaggy]

But who do you pick instead? Our midfield needs Gerrard and it will be interesting to see how we figure without him in December. Rodgers has talked about Gerrard's fitness all season and the great shape he's currently in. If Rodgers is convinced Gerrard is match fit and Gerrard is willing to play, I can't see any fault.

West Ham are dire and Lucas, Allen and Henderson would've been fine. Or even Alberto. Obviously Rodgers et al are in possession of all the info but him playing all this football seems nuts to me. He never gets a rest. Ever. Until he gets injured that is.

[The_weatherman]

How many goals from free kicks has Henderson scored ???

Leave the free kicks to Luis

Reckon you've read the response from Dww. If not read my post again

Henderson used to take (indirect at least) set pieces for the England team and he is good at it.

[dww]

But who do you pick instead? Our midfield needs Gerrard and it will be interesting to see how we figure without him in December. Rodgers has talked about Gerrard's fitness all season and the great shape he's currently in. If Rodgers is convinced Gerrard is match fit and Gerrard is willing to play, I can't see any fault.

I think the point is that match fit is only part of the question. Many people think/feel that as you get older you need more time to recover or you increase the risk of injury. Football and people in general are very bad at taking preventative action rather than waiting for a problem to occur.

For years Scholes and Giggs have been rotated in and out of the team even when they are fit to ensure that they are kept injury free. I think it is a policy that makes sense.

I agree that there has been no outstanding candidate to replace Gerrard but making choices in those circumstances is what being a manager is all about. Maybe it's not about directly replacing the one player but altering the balance of the midfield overall.

[Shaggy]

I think the point is that match fit is only part of the question. Many people think/feel that as you get older you need more time to recover or you increase the risk of injury. Football and people in general are very bad at taking preventative action rather than waiting for a problem to occur.

For years Scholes and Giggs have been rotated in and out of the team even when they are fit to ensure that they are kept injury free. I think it is a policy that makes sense.

I agree that there has been no outstanding candidate to replace Gerrard but making choices in those circumstances is what being a manager is all about. Maybe it's not about directly replacing the one player but altering the balance of the midfield overall.

[Harv]

6 weeks is quite a long time for a hamstring "strain". He must have torn it to be that long.