Steven Gerrard

[Le Chef]

A good read

http://www.theguardian.com/football/stats-bomb/2014/jan/22/liverpool-steven-gerrard-buy-transfer-market

[Charly]

Paul Scholes was a better goal scoring midfielder than Gerrard, he adapted to the deep lying playmaker role easily and Gerrard can do the same.
If he doesn't it's because he doesn't want to make it work, and if that happens then drop him.

I don't think a deep lying playmaker is the same as a holding midfielder.

Look at Alonso. He was pretty poor when he did not have Hamman or Mascherano to play alongside him.

A holding midfielder need to press and then get back into position in front of the defence, which means you need someone who is super energetic or the will get caught out of position, as Stevie did against Villa. A sort of sweeper in front of the back four. Creativity is secondary to fitness and physique, discipline and the ability to read the game. A player like Momo Sissoko could not play it as despite his physical attributes, he did not have the discipline to play there. Hamman worked as he was prepared to completely sacrifice his attacking play. Gerrard probably wont be able to do that, does not have the energy levels and is a waste of his talents anyway.

I don't think a deep lying playmaker is a position in the modern game.

Either way, we need to buy someone as the alternatives are Allen (too weak) or Henderson (who could work, I suppose). In fact Henderson always plays a bit within himself when sharing a pitch with Gerrard, so the holding role might work better is we have to go with that three.

[RedRum]

I don't think a deep lying playmaker is the same as a holding midfielder.

Look at Alonso. He was pretty poor when he did not have Hamman or Mascherano to play alongside him.

A holding midfielder need to press and then get back into position in front of the defence, which means you need someone who is super energetic or the will get caught out of position, as Stevie did against Villa. A sort of sweeper in front of the back four. Creativity is secondary to fitness and physique, discipline and the ability to read the game. A player like Momo Sissoko could not play it as despite his physical attributes, he did not have the discipline to play there. Hamman worked as he was prepared to completely sacrifice his attacking play. Gerrard probably wont be able to do that, does not have the energy levels and is a waste of his talents anyway.

I don't think a deep lying playmaker is a position in the modern game.

Either way, we need to buy someone as the alternatives are Allen (too weak) or Henderson (who could work, I suppose). In fact Henderson always plays a bit within himself when sharing a pitch with Gerrard, so the holding role might work better is we have to go with that three.

Pirlo is a deep lying playmaker but Im not sure Gerrard has the same speed of thought and agility.

[BigChief]

Pirlo is a deep lying playmaker but Im not sure Gerrard has the same speed of thought and agility.

Actually that's unfair. Speed of thought and agility are the two things Gerrard definitely has in abundance.

[danperkins]

Pirlo and Gerrard are two completely different types of players and very hard to compare.

Pirlo & Alonso are bit more comparable IMO.

[Mostar]

Pirlo and Gerrard are two completely different types of players and very hard to compare.

Pirlo & Alonso are bit more comparable IMO.

[RedRum]

I wasn't meaning to compare them but Rodgers has made it clear he wants Gerrard to play the Pirlo role

[RedRum]

Actually that's unfair. Speed of thought and agility are the two things Gerrard definitely has in abundance.

Didn't say he was lacking i n that area. He does have both but Pirlo has more agility and quicker speed of thought in my opinion. Gerrard is more suited to another role but I believe he can adapt to the new role Brendan has in mind for him.

[EwarWoo]

but I believe he can adapt to the new role Brendan has in mind for him.

I have no doubt he can, but how long will it take him and will we still be looking at top 4 at the end of it?

I don't question the decision, I just question the timing and if we can afford to do this right now.

Making top 4 would make such a big difference.

[wiw]

Pirlo and Alonso etc have rhythm to their game. one touch and pass..Over and over. possession is paramount. Gerrard isn't like that at all..he will risk losing the ball if he thinks a long pass is on regardless of other options. He just isn't suited to the deeper role imo. He plays high risk regardless of where he is on the pitch and given given how often he gives the ball away you can only afford that high up the pitch. Sorry but Rafa was a ****ing genius at it. He got the best out of Gerrard like nobody before or since

[Chazza]

[ame]https://twitter.com/TonyBarretTimes/status/427931813903085568[/ame]

[marcus50bucks]

[G]

Superb

[Reece]

Top man.

[McDermotX]

Good lad....... as always.