Steven Gerrard

[Mattshark]

I think the whole midfield will function better if we go about it that way. I'm hoping Gerrard as DM is just a short-term fix until we sign a top class replacement

It won't, Lucas is a far superior dm to anyone else in our team and we look far more open when he isn't playing.

[wiw]

It won't.

Right...................

Anything further to add? Or is that it?

[RichC]

I do think Lucas might be seen as a back up going forwards when all players are fit.

Not sure if it's going to be the right way to go but it would mean more "attacking" options from midfield.

[Norbs]

I do think Lucas might be seen as a back up going forwards when all players are fit.

Not sure if it's going to be the right way to go but it would mean more "attacking" options from midfield.

I wonder if our midfield is already a tad over-attacking, lack of clean sheets seems to back this up. We need to replace* Lucas with a new signing, not by utilising Gerrard, Allen or Henderson in his role IMO. Despite of the recent clamor to turn him in to a defender, I think Gerrard is best employed as far away from our penalty area as possible and Henderson is always going to be the runner, which he is excels at. That leaves Allen who isn't bad as a ball winner but I fear he's a little brittle to do this job weekly and DM is a position that should be occupied by a regular linchpin.

I sometimes wonder if we play 3 central midfielders because none of them are good enough to be half of a pairing...

* I'm not advocating selling, just bringing someone else in as competition and taking the strain off the lad.

[RichC]

That relies on a new signing in midfield which I'd love to see but at the moment I can't see happening.

I'm not convinced that Gerrard is the right player for the position but going off the back of what BR has said it does seem likely he is going to be getting game time there which makes me believe that Lucas will be surplus to requirements once Allen is back.

Not saying I agree with it but it does seem likely.

[Norbs]

That relies on a new signing in midfield which I'd love to see but at the moment I can't see happening.

I'm not convinced that Gerrard is the right player for the position but going off the back of what BR has said it does seem likely he is going to be getting game time there which makes me believe that Lucas will be surplus to requirements once Allen is back.

Not saying I agree with it but it does seem likely.

It does doesn't it. Sad thing is that, for all his quality, Gerrard isn't that great at playing possession football and neat passing moves. His game is far more dynamic and risky. Henderson, Allen and Coutinho is a better midfield as all are prepared to tow the line. Those 3 behind Suarez, Sterling and Sturridge and we'd win every game 15-0 with 90% possession. At least

[cream]

Looks like lucas will be used as backup to Gerrard on the deeper role. I would also say we will probably bring in an athletic box to box midfielder like Rakitic rather than a dfensive type like Regis.

[baitman]

...Those 3 behind Suarez, Sterling and Sturridge and we'd win every game 15-0 with 90% possession. At least

at least 100% of the time, maybe more

[BigChief]

Anyone see that rocket header by Stevie? Thank God Mig got to it.

One thing is clear, and has been demonstrated by clean sheets and vast number of goals scored: Lucas behind Henderson and Allen is aces. Disrupt that and we're fighting ourselves before the opposition turns up.

[baitman]

we might have been a bit more solid with lucas as the DM, and henderson and ged going forward.
at least the defence would know where and when lucas would show, ged was flashing about [not doing too bad, it must be said] but maybe it interfered with the defenders as no one knew who was going where.

[RedRum]

Gerrard will take time to become accustomed to this new role. I trust Rodgers vision and think Stevie will adjust.

[Norbs]

we might have been a bit more solid with lucas as the DM, and henderson and ged going forward.
at least the defence would know where and when lucas would show, ged was flashing about [not doing too bad, it must be said] but maybe it interfered with the defenders as no one knew who was going where.

It still baffles me how lost Henderson looks with Gerrard playing alongside him. It's either because he's in awe of Gerrard or it's because Gerrard is playing a less disciplined role which leaves Henderson unaware of his own role. It's more likely to be the latter as Henderson plays far more under instruction and from the training ground, than for personal glory. IMO like

[Norbs]

At the end of the day though, we're ****ing great with Gerrard and ****ing great without him

[dww]

That relies on a new signing in midfield which I'd love to see but at the moment I can't see happening.

I'm not convinced that Gerrard is the right player for the position but going off the back of what BR has said it does seem likely he is going to be getting game time there which makes me believe that Lucas will be surplus to requirements once Allen is back.

Not saying I agree with it but it does seem likely.

He also talked about Gerrard moving back into defense and hasn't followed through. I think Lucas will keep getting games - I think there is a specific idea about having Gerrard in that position to counter the 'muscular' nature of Stoke and to get the ball to parts of the pitch where the likes of Sterling, Suarez and Coutinho can do damage. A lot of our best moments came from long balls down pitch (often from Mignolet).

[wiw]

It won't, Lucas is a far superior dm to anyone else in our team and we look far more open when he isn't playing.

I rate Lucas too, but I think it depends on how Gerrard adapts. He has a better passing range than Lucas. I think it would certainly work better at home where we dominate the ball