In the two articles I agree 100% with one of the sound bites - that Gerrard felt he was always the one having to be the genius. For me he was always at his best when he could trust someone else. Surround him with quality and Gerrard becomes a far more composed player. You cut out the gambles he makes and he goes up several levels IMO.
In 2009 when we had Alonso to take the ball off the defenders, he stayed in his attacking role. He did what he was being asked to do and the shape of the team remained in balance. In the back end of last season he had Suarez & Sturridge doing the business and he stayed in position and let them do the business. Only once did his mask slip.
That slip against Chelsea as mentioned in the article captured everything about Gerrard. The genius taking it all upon himself to save the day. He'd kept it hidden all that time only for his mistake to make him forget about his job. Looking back, we'd have been best off taking him off at half time. Stick Lucas on. Because all the second half became was Gerrard going for what can only be compared to a Hail Mary pass in American football or a last second buzzer shot from distance in the NBA.
If it came off we'd still be talking about it now. But I remember the analysis on Sky afterwards. The amount of times Suarez could have received a pass on the edge of the area and drove at the defence. Countless. Suarez had done the business all season from that position, instead Gerrard was trying to roll back the years with a rocket shot. It's been mentioned elsewhere recently, but when was the last time Gerrard smashed one in? City away in 2013? All those efforts Gerrard had and the best shot from out the box was from Joe Allen.
In 2009 when we had Alonso to take the ball off the defenders, he stayed in his attacking role. He did what he was being asked to do and the shape of the team remained in balance. In the back end of last season he had Suarez & Sturridge doing the business and he stayed in position and let them do the business. Only once did his mask slip.
That slip against Chelsea as mentioned in the article captured everything about Gerrard. The genius taking it all upon himself to save the day. He'd kept it hidden all that time only for his mistake to make him forget about his job. Looking back, we'd have been best off taking him off at half time. Stick Lucas on. Because all the second half became was Gerrard going for what can only be compared to a Hail Mary pass in American football or a last second buzzer shot from distance in the NBA.
If it came off we'd still be talking about it now. But I remember the analysis on Sky afterwards. The amount of times Suarez could have received a pass on the edge of the area and drove at the defence. Countless. Suarez had done the business all season from that position, instead Gerrard was trying to roll back the years with a rocket shot. It's been mentioned elsewhere recently, but when was the last time Gerrard smashed one in? City away in 2013? All those efforts Gerrard had and the best shot from out the box was from Joe Allen.
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