Steven Gerrard

[Tee]

Nah I think the ageing process has started Tee. That booking he picked up the other day was telling for me. He had just about made up the ground, but the slide tackle was tired and clumsy. A few years ago he would take taken the ball cleanly, been up on his feet with the ball, and we'd have been on the counter. Instead he failed to reach the ball and took out the man.

He might not be 35 yet, but he's not the force he once was and needs to adjust his game accordingly.

Yep, I noticed that too. But I am not going to judge him on the back of that single tackle, telling as it may have seemed. He will be getting the benfit of the doubt from me for a while yet, it is the very least he deserves. And sentiments aside he is still, and this is a fact, our best technical player.

[Pablo]

Yeah I know, it's just one example, but there will be plenty more in the future I'm sure.

We all agree Carragher is on the decline right? He has been for a couple of years. Well he's 34. Steven Gerrard is only 32. Just two years younger. Add to that he's a midfielder, and not a CB. CBs can traditionally play at the top level for longer than a CM. I'd say they are on broadly the same path in terms of coming to the end of their playing careers.

I'm not writing him off, far from it, but I genuinely think now is the time to start the process of planning the team without Steven Gerrard as an essential part of it.

[dww]

Yeah I know, it's just one example, but there will be plenty more in the future I'm sure.

We all agree Carragher is on the decline right? He has been for a couple of years. Well he's 34. Steven Gerrard is only 32. Just two years younger. Add to that he's a midfielder, and not a CB. CBs can traditionally play at the top level for longer than a CM. I'd say they are on broadly the same path in terms of coming to the end of their playing careers.

I'm not writing him off, far from it, but I genuinely think now is the time to start the process of planning the team without Steven Gerrard as an essential part of it.

Sadly we are having to do this 2 or 3 seasons later than we should have done.

[CAD]

Stevie G is an odd one. Going by the examples of Giggs and Scholes – and before that Barnes and Keane – you’d think that the best option would be for Gerrard to play deeper where his reduced mobility is less of an issue. However Gerrard himself has made it clear he doesn’t see himself playing that role for a couple of years, whilst history tells us that Gerrard struggles to maintain his discipline and stay in position whilst playing in central midfield.

One thing, therefore, has to change and it’s either Gerrard’s position or Gerrard’s mentality. He’s shown glimpses of being able to play as the deep-lying CM (I think it was against Man U a couple of years ago he played there and bossed it), but IIRC this has usually happened when he’s been returning from injury

So Gerrard either has to reconcile himself to this or Rodgers has to let him off the leash. It’s odd that Rodgers has hinted he would do this – most obviously in Being Liverpool – but hasn’t yet given it a go. I think Stevie can still play the higher role. He has the vision and retains the power, but we’re seeing fewer explosions of pace. Managed correctly, however – maybe playing 60 mins in an advanced role – I think he can have an impact. But at the moment he’s being overplayed and he’s struggling.

Or maybe he’s simply struggling to come to terms with the fact his body can no longer do what his head wants? His reluctance to shoot from distance would certainly indicate this.

Truth is that SG will most likely pull a hamstring or get injured very fast if he started to play like the 2008 season. For me that is not something we need to waste time trying to build around.

This is the biggest test so far for Rodgers. Does he have the balls to do what needs to be done???!

[DannyMan2006]

Gerrard does not need to be dropped. He, like every other player in our side, has had to adjust his game and its taken time. But he's starting to look much better.

The problem for Gerrard is that if he isn't scoring goals or playing the final pass for a goal, people will get on his back due to his past exploits.

If people actually looked at the stats for key passes, I'm guessing he's in the top ten in the league. And now Lucas is back and he's being played further forward, I'm willing to suggest that Stevie will once more be getting on the scoresheet.

[Tee]

Gerrard does not need to be dropped. He, like every other player in our side, has had to adjust his game and its taken time. But he's starting to look much better.

The problem for Gerrard is that if he isn't scoring goals or playing the final pass for a goal, people will get on his back due to his past exploits.

If people actually looked at the stats for key passes, I'm guessing he's in the top ten in the league. And now Lucas is back and he's being played further forward, I'm willing to suggest that Stevie will once more be getting on the scoresheet.

[pondus]

Gerrard does not need to be dropped. He, like every other player in our side, has had to adjust his game and its taken time. But he's starting to look much better.

The problem for Gerrard is that if he isn't scoring goals or playing the final pass for a goal, people will get on his back due to his past exploits.

If people actually looked at the stats for key passes, I'm guessing he's in the top ten in the league. And now Lucas is back and he's being played further forward, I'm willing to suggest that Stevie will once more be getting on the scoresheet.

Good sensible post

[Fredo]

the steven gerrard that carried this team on his own is now gone forever, but more than happy for him to still have the odd blinder

the problem has been that he has had to carry the team, rather than the players around him consistently doing their fair share.
there were times when he was out injured and the work seemed to be shared out and it was more of a team game.
we need to get back to the ethic of having many players sharing out the graft and goals. steve can still be a part of the team for maybe a couple of years yet, but he has to know his limitations, keep things tidy and allow other players to step up and be part of the team.

the match were suarez and gerrard came on as subs showed how they took the ball and almost refused to pass to team mates.

if we replace gerrard it will be with a team player. the players need to be multifunctional, interchangeable pieces so that as one goes out injured or subbed, another seamlessly fits in.

You are wrong because the team this season has shared responsibilities in terms of goalscoring and maybe that is why some people haven't 'noticed' him that much.

[baitman]

You are wrong because the team this season has shared responsibilities in terms of goalscoring and maybe that is why some people haven't 'noticed' him that much.

just your opinion, but if you look at what i have said and consider it over gerrards career and not just this season...

[Fredo]

just your opinion, but if you look at what i have said and consider it over gerrards career and not just this season...

What with your reference that we need to get back to sharing the graft etc then? What's your point?

It shows that we are due to having 16 different scorers this season. That's not my opinion but a fact.

[baitman]

to keep things simple for you...
pre-gerrard there were goals and graft from everywhere. then things went a bit ****, gerrard has carried the team, sometimes supported by carra and torres.
now is very clear that he isnt going to be the one to step up and do those win us a few games on his own type of performances.
that is my point.

if we have several players who nopw contribute to the goals scored then this is a good thing, No?

no need to be so

[Vermilion]

Gerrard does not need to be dropped. He, like every other player in our side, has had to adjust his game and its taken time. But he's starting to look much better.

The problem for Gerrard is that if he isn't scoring goals or playing the final pass for a goal, people will get on his back due to his past exploits.

If people actually looked at the stats for key passes, I'm guessing he's in the top ten in the league. And now Lucas is back and he's being played further forward, I'm willing to suggest that Stevie will once more be getting on the scoresheet.

[Fredo]

to keep things simple for you...
pre-gerrard there were goals and graft from everywhere. then things went a bit ****, gerrard has carried the team, sometimes supported by carra and torres.
now is very clear that he isnt going to be the one to step up and do those win us a few games on his own type of performances.
that is my point.

if we have several players who nopw contribute to the goals scored then this is a good thing, No?

no need to be so

Ah maybe you need to express your point better then.

[Nick77]

Gerrard does not need to be dropped. He, like every other player in our side, has had to adjust his game and its taken time. But he's starting to look much better.

The problem for Gerrard is that if he isn't scoring goals or playing the final pass for a goal, people will get on his back due to his past exploits.

If people actually looked at the stats for key passes, I'm guessing he's in the top ten in the league. And now Lucas is back and he's being played further forward, I'm willing to suggest that Stevie will once more be getting on the scoresheet.

Exactly, key passes being the point. Like I have said before, having a 90% pass completion rate of 2 to 3 metre passes which don't really influence the game is meaningless..

[Pablo]

Nick77 is the new forum badboy isn't he? I don't ever remember him being this controversial in the past

Just shows how far Est has fallen really