Steven Gerrard

[RedAndWhite]

Gerrard is too good a player to ever be bad at any position longterm. It may take him a few games to get used to it, but he will adapt.

[Red_Polo]

Gerrard is too good a player to ever be bad at any position longterm.

He was excellent today. Predictably, he has some instincts at odds with the role, but he will learn. Crucially, I think with the more direct counterattacking style we're playing, this is much less of an issue; those instincts will work in our favour when we transition to attack. Seen in that context I think it's much easier to appreciate Rodgers' thinking moving Gerrard there.

[baitman]

glad to see that steve is holding back with the long passes.

[BigChief]

Gerrard is too good a player to ever be bad at any position longterm. It may take him a few games to get used to it, but he will adapt.

I'm beginning to see that now. Thankfully he's cut out the hollywood balls and trusts his team to build up to a goal instead. Delivery from set pieces seems to have got better, not sure what's he's done different to improve there.

[Sarb]

Regista. Reckon we could see him for another 5 years in our team which is perfect

[Shaggy]

With Henderson & Coutinho's high work rate around him he has been excellent in the role thus far. Definitely needs the support in the middle though.

I think that's the key. Fiendish work rate from Hendo and Coutinho...it's a great blend. Great performance today - although I was annoyed about the penalty, totally unnecessary and I was dying to beat them something-nil. Gerrard's never been a steady Eddie - the odd time he's bad he can be pretty bad - but obviously he's mostly fantastic. With that in mind I think he'll throw in bad performances from time to time, and also as he's still learning the role.

[G]

He's making me look a right tit

**** for the pen though

[Liverpool]

Its an odd one I don't like him there. Hes almost too deep to be a DM, more of an attacking center back The way he sits in and the two center backs split pushing up the full backs. Rodgers comments ages ago but him playing center back could well happen, Gerrard and Sakho then someone with more energy playing where he does now.

[EwarWoo]

Gerrard is too good a player to ever be bad at any position longterm. It may take him a few games to get used to it, but he will adapt.

He's a complete footballer. Think he's surprised us all but with how quickly he's managed to change his mindset.

After 15 years as an attacking footballer he shouldn't be a good defensive player after 3 matches.

[Fosterbloke]

To me that screams world class.

How many other footballers in world football could show this level of excellence in multiple roles throughout a 15 year career?

I just read that he is, to date, the only footballer ever to have scored a goal in an FA Cup Final, a League Cup Final, a UEFA Cup Final and a Champions League Final.

[Liverpool]

if him being deep conceding a penalty had cost us, I wonder what the reaction would have been

[baitman]

To me that screams world class.

How many other footballers in world football could show this level of excellence in multiple roles throughout a 15 year career?

never mind 15 years, he covered several positions in the CL final in istanbul.
what he is doing is nothing like the DM role that lucas plays, like a traditional DM.
he is like the regista, but also sliding in between the CB positions and dropping in to the right or left to pick up the interceptions and key tackles. its early days, but the role seems to suit.

[dww]

Steven Gerrard can play deeper for England, says Brendan Rodgers

[BBC]

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers believes midfielder Steven Gerrard has a lot to offer England in a deeper role.
The 33-year-old has been successfully employed as a holding midfielder for the Reds this season.
Rodgers feels England boss Roy Hodgson should consider playing the national team captain in that position at this summer's World Cup.
"Everyone knows Steve's qualities, but it would be good for Roy to see him in that single pivot role," said Rodgers.

"He has amazed me with the quality he has played in it so quickly.
"When he was playing as the number 10 or advanced midfielder his movement was incredible - he had the movement of a striker in the box.
"So to flip that and become a playmaker in the other half of the field shows the tactical intelligence he has and how he has a lot to offer."
Hodgson is expected to name his provisional 30-man World Cup squad in May.
Rodgers believes that should the former Liverpool boss make a trip back to Anfield, there would be several other players who could force their way into his thinking ahead of this summer's tournament in Brazil.
Jordan Henderson and Daniel Sturridge have been consistently impressive this season, while Raheem Sterling and young defender Jon Flanagan impressed in Saturday's 5-1 victory against Arsenal.
Rodgers added: "Jordan Henderson has shown his tactical development, maturity and leadership qualities while Raheem Sterling, for a kid of 19 to be playing at the level he is, with invention, speed and scoring a couple of goals in a big game, has been absolutely outstanding.
"Sturridge speaks for himself, he'll get goals. His transformation from being a Chelsea reserve player to being what I consider to be the number nine for England for a World Cup is a good signal for, especially young British players, that if you come to Liverpool you will get your opportunity if your focus is right."

[dww]

Luckily Rodgers doesn't say anything so daft, but when I saw the headline I thought 'if Gerrard plays any deeper than he has been under Hodgson for England he'll be in goal'.

[Fredo]

Luckily Rodgers doesn't say anything so daft, but when I saw the headline I thought 'if Gerrard plays any deeper than he has been under Hodgson for England he'll be in goal'.

Thought the same thing. And the idea of seeing Hodgson trying to implement a similar system for England is funny.