Steven Gerrard

[Rich]

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

He certainly has a better range but I'd argue Lucas generally makes better decisions on which pass to make.

[RedReet]

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

I think Dave makes a good point. Gerrard with his range of passing is probably better suited to counter attacking play which we seem to be gearing more towards now than ‘death by football’ and with Allen and Henderson just ahead of him, BR probably thinks they can make up for his defensive deficiencies.

At home, I’d probably still be more inclined to play Lucas there as there will be less opportunity to counter and utilise Gerrard’s strengths and it’s important we control possession in the centre of the park.

[Mattshark]

What worried me in the deep role yesterday was a pass completion of 75%, not good close to goal.

[baitman]

What worried me in the deep role yesterday was a pass completion of 75%, not good close to goal.

if they were short passes then we'd have been more ****ed, but an incomplete gerrard pass means the ball is still 80 yards away.

[Mattshark]

if they were short passes then we'd have been more ****ed, but an incomplete gerrard pass means the ball is still 80 yards away.

They were not all long balls though. You can't give a quarter of passes away in that role. Under 80% pass accuracy for any one playing cm is a bit worrying.

[Daniel 7]

His short passing was ropey as well. He's no Alonso.

[dww]

They were not all long balls though. You can't give a quarter of passes away in that role. Under 80% pass accuracy for any one playing cm is a bit worrying.

Like I said before I think you have to look at what happened in a bit more detail. A 'long pass' which aims to set away an attack might be a risk worth taking if the downside is the opposition getting the ball in their own half. If, however, the opposition could cut it out near our 18 yard box it is unacceptable.

I'm not a big fan of Gerrard in the deeper role (particularly dropping in with the CBs as he did at times against Stoke) but I thought he did okay in the last match. If we want high passing accuracy in that position we should sign Leon Britton but I'm not sure anyone is suggesting we would be better off swapping Gerrard for him.

[Fredo]

Like I said before I think you have to look at what happened in a bit more detail. A 'long pass' which aims to set away an attack might be a risk worth taking if the downside is the opposition getting the ball in their own half. If, however, the opposition could cut it out near our 18 yard box it is unacceptable.

I'm not a big fan of Gerrard in the deeper role (particularly dropping in with the CBs as he did at times against Stoke) but I thought he did okay in the last match. If we want high passing accuracy in that position we should sign Leon Britton but I'm not sure anyone is suggesting we would be better off swapping Gerrard for him.

Think Gerrard needs acclimatising in that position. His ability to start attacks from deep with his long range passing ability, similar to the role Lothar Matthaus used to play in, seems to have triggered something in Rodgers' mind.

I can't see him as playing further forward long term. His legs are going. If we have two very dynamic, high pressing midfielders ahead of him, that should be enough to give him some protection. In any case, I'd trust Gerrard to make this position his own.

[Daniel 7]

It was depressing watching Lothar being accommodated towards the back end of his career and seemed like indulgence.

I'd hate to see a compromised Gerrard labouring about belting long balls about 10 years after his peak.

[G]

I said it yesterday after about 15 minutes. He needs to be in the front three or on the bench. It's really as simple as that for me. Sign a proper Dm, put Henderson and Allen in front of him. After that you have options with Gerrard, Sterling and Coutinho behind the front 2. He's been an amazing player for us but the team suffers by trying to fit him in everywhere but the position he's always been best at which is just off the forwards or right side of the attack.

It's one of those weird things like the Sakho/Agger or Sakho/ Tours partnerships that have never been tried, we've never played stevie in the advanced position under Rodgers.

[Mattshark]

Like I said before I think you have to look at what happened in a bit more detail. A 'long pass' which aims to set away an attack might be a risk worth taking if the downside is the opposition getting the ball in their own half. If, however, the opposition could cut it out near our 18 yard box it is unacceptable.

I'm not a big fan of Gerrard in the deeper role (particularly dropping in with the CBs as he did at times against Stoke) but I thought he did okay in the last match. If we want high passing accuracy in that position we should sign Leon Britton but I'm not sure anyone is suggesting we would be better off swapping Gerrard for him.

I understand the long ball usefulness and I thought he did ok too, but I'd worry about relinquishing possession still, he is capable of playing longer balls and keeping possession better than he did yesterday. Especially as Henderson was poor in retaining possession too.

I don't think pass accuracy is the be all and end all in that role, and Gerard's tackling and covering is good, but I think he also put us under some unnecessary pressure.

[Rigadon]

I think we need to give Gerrard more than one game, as a DM, before judging him. Playing in a new position, away at Stoke, with Lucas (playing out of position) ahead of him.... not an ideal 'debut'. Hopefully he'll do well in that position.

DM is arguably our weakest position. At least BR is trying to address it.

[RichC]

An alternative view on Gerrard vs Stoke.

80% Tackle Success: Was This Liverpool’s Unsung Hero vs Stoke?



There were three shocking things that happened at the Britannia Stadium on Saturday when Liverpool defeated Stoke City. For starters a ground that had seen just eighteen goals in ten games and was treated to a seven-goal cracker, secondly Steven Gerrard was not named Man of the Match by Sky Sports and thirdly, the Liverpool skipper’s biggest contribution came in his defensive work.

Gerrard may be getting on a bit, but there’s little doubt he’s still one of the most effective midfielders in the Premier League and could well prove vital in helping Liverpool achieve that coveted fourth spot. Normally it would be Gerrard’s attacking influence that helped his side to a win, but on Sunday it was defensively where the skipper shone. Passing wise Gerrard has had better days at the office, with a quarter of his passes failing to find their target.



Despite Liverpool finding the net five times- and Gerrard himself converting a penalty, the skipper really excelled in preventing Stoke from gaining any of the spoils and was instrumental in clearing the danger for the visitors with the sort of performance his former team mate and Gary Neville’s new best friend would’ve been proud of.



It wasn’t just clearances that Gerrard excelled at, as can be expected the Liverpool legend wasn’t afraid to get stuck in with his tackles, especially against a Stoke side renowned for being something of a physical force. Gerrard won all but one of his five tackles at the Britannia count, which when added to his clearances shows just how vital he was in preventing Stoke from adding to their tally.



As times goes on we’ve become accustomed to seeing Gerrard drop deeper in midfield, often dictating the play from nearer his own half and Sunday’s game was a perfect example of this.



With Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge seemingly able to score at least once between them every single game, the idea of Steven Gerrard being a defensive force to be reckoned with is one that may just have the rest of the Premier League shaking it’s head with disbelief- and maybe a little fear.

http://www.squawka.com/news/2014/01/13/80-tackle-success-is-this-liverpools-unsung-hero-vs-stoke/2014011353733

[Norbs]

'Seven goal cracker' eh

[RichC]

I hadn't noticed that, perhaps the last one didn't count in their eyes