Steven Gerrard

[Fredo]

Or alternating. Or playing together as the two defensive midfielders.

[Lee]

I think that's the reason he's been moved back, I think we'll be looking for that goal scoring midfield player again and to fit him in Gerrard will be playing as the "quarter back" with Lucas likely missing out

Yeah I think you're right mate.

I'm just far from convinced with Gerrard playing deep though.

[RichC]

Neither am I, at the moment.

He has the ability to do so but needs the discipline to do so. Perhaps with a proper AM coming in getting goals for us would take the pressure of him having to get involved further up the pitch.

[EwarWoo]

Perhaps with a proper AM coming in getting goals for us would take the pressure of him having to get involved further up the pitch.

So you move a proper AM back to fit other players in the team, then buy a proper AM to make it work.

Why not just play him as an AM?

[RichC]

It's not me that picks the team is it. This is what appears to be happening though + he's 33 (34 in May) and we need to look to the future.

[EwarWoo]

It's not me that picks the team is it.

Wasn't criticising you, I just happened to pick your post to reply to

Just think the whole Gerrard situation is a bit silly. Play him where he's best.

[RichC]

You picked parts of the post

I think Gerrard is being moved back to accommodate someone coming in this Summer and getting him used to the position and as such I think it causes Lucas to miss out.

Thing is who do you take out of the attacking side of things to get him back in there? I'd rather the front 4 of Suarez, Sturridge, Coutinho and Sterling to continue with Henderson getting up and down to support them, Gerrard doesn't have that up and down energy in his locker anymore IMO

[Red_Polo]

I think I'd play him in the front three and have Coutinho leading the midfield. Ultimately though, I think we're sooner or later going to have to appoint a new captain and rotate Gerrard. Different roles depending on opposition and who we have available.

[RichC]

So Sterling misses out?

[Red_Polo]

Not in current form, he wouldn't. That's what I'd consider best on paper - outside of considerations such as fitness, form, opposition.

[RichC]

I agree, who misses out though as I'm sure Sturridge will be a starter.

[el matador]

the way we play now wont resemble the way we will eventually play under BR if he's here for a while. I like watching us play but its unsustainable and playing gerrard as the deep lying playmaker - default DM is a disaster waiting to happen.

no one has ever tried successfully playing with a regista / sweeper type player in this country because the game is too frenetic. people think gerrard will sit deep and pop passes off left right and centre, but as soon as we lose the ball the counter attacking abilities of other teams will have us ****ting ourselves especially with BR saying that he prefers the 1-2 axis so that means stevie sitting deep and two in front who press high up the pitch.

one long ball / pass from their backline to ours and its panic stations because those two will be out of the equation. then its just stevie and the two centre backs against their runners.

[wiw]

To me the only thing stopping Gerrard playing further forward is his inability or unwillingness to shoot from distance in the last 1 or 2 seasons. He just can't/won't do it. Whether he's been advised by doctors not to I don't know but it sticks out like a sore thumb to me

[Red_Polo]

I agree, who misses out though as I'm sure Sturridge will be a starter.

I think all being equal the decision to be made is between Sterling and Coutinho. Both have shown how effective they can be for us but have been patchy. Coutinho edges it in terms of the level I feel he is at, but the difference in form between him and Sterling is stark so I think Coutinho misses out for now.

[RichC]

I'd probably agree. It's tough to shoehorn players in without someone missing out that you'd rather didn't as at the moment as Gerrard if fit is going to start, for now anyway.