Steven Gerrard

[CAD]

Good sensible post

Yes, and then we all woke up...It's been on for years FFS. Some people...

[calvoboy]

I genuinely think you can trace Gerrard's seeming decline back to Torres leaving. Since then he's had no-one to aim for with his fantastic early through balls. No-one playing on the last defender creating the space in front of the box for his little one-two-and-gos. No-one to hit early with a great diagonal ball from deep. So he's mainly been intercepting, keeping the play moving, and playing the odd great pass to Sterling or Johnson out wide. I think once we sign a couple of attackers in January he'll be much more effective.

He's still been one of our most consistent midfielders despite that, just not as great as we used to take for granted.

[CAD]

I genuinely think you can trace Gerrard's seeming decline back to Torres leaving. Since then he's had no-one to aim for with his fantastic early through balls. No-one playing on the last defender creating the space in front of the box for his little one-two-and-gos. No-one to hit early with a great diagonal ball from deep. So he's mainly been intercepting, keeping the play moving, and playing the odd great pass to Sterling or Johnson out wide. I think once we sign a couple of attackers in January he'll be much more effective.

He's still been one of our most consistent midfielders despite that, just not as great as we used to take for granted.

Yup - Plus that injury didnt do him any favours either. 2009 was it? Not sure. 2010 maybe? I think he is careful - too careful. Once you had a bad injury you sometimes tend to hold back. I think that is the main problem. He is on 80%...

[Tee]

[BigChief]

Good performance. A few too many hollywood balls for my liking but he made them all count this time. Lets hope he can keep that up, specially against a team that likes to press us hard in the middle.

[baitman]

is he back

[Tee]

Good performance. A few too many hollywood balls for my liking but he made them all count this time. Lets hope he can keep that up, specially against a team that likes to press us hard in the middle.

If they all count does it really matter how many he does?

He showed yesterday that form is temporary class is permanent. Glad he rammed it back down the throats of the doubters anyway.

[DannyMan2006]

Watching LFC v Fulham was like watching a La Liga or Seria A game. We passed with style and created chance after chance, but there was a slow tempo to the game and no Premiership type closing down.

Gerrard thrived in it, I think it's clear he would be a class act in a top foreign league. I just hope he can show against Stoke that he can still shine in a battle.

[kubrickscube]

Not been a massive fan of Gerrard's performances this team, but glad he stepped up and gave us a reminder of why we love him. Let's hope it continues.

[Robbie-9-Fowler]

Watching LFC v Fulham was like watching a La Liga or Seria A game. We passed with style and created chance after chance, but there was a slow tempo to the game and no Premiership type closing down.

Gerrard thrived in it, I think it's clear he would be a class act in a top foreign league. I just hope he can show against Stoke that he can still shine in a battle.

I agree with this.

If you give someone that much time, age doesn't come into it.. You're not highlighting weakness in their performance. He was very good yesterday but I'd rather use him in games at home vs lesser sides if I'm honest.

[lickedlollipop]

Not been a massive fan of Gerrard's performances this team, but glad he stepped up and gave us a reminder of why we love him. Let's hope it continues.

as I said to my father yesterday, that his goal was so "gerrardesque". I miss those goals.

[danperkins]

Watching LFC v Fulham was like watching a La Liga or Seria A game. We passed with style and created chance after chance, but there was a slow tempo to the game and no Premiership type closing down.

Gerrard thrived in it, I think it's clear he would be a class act in a top foreign league. I just hope he can show against Stoke that he can still shine in a battle.

completely agree with this.

[Jagan]

Wonderful game from the legend... When he is on form he is on a different level.....

[Shaggy]

Offered a new contract according to The Guardian.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2012/dec/23/liverpool-steven-gerrard-contract-new?CMP=twt_gu

Liverpool to hand Steven Gerrard new deal as Sturridge's arrival nears

• Captain Gerrard had 18 months on current contract
• We are growing and he has influenced that, says Rodgers

Andy Hunter
The Guardian, Sunday 23 December 2012 22.00 GMT

Brendan Rodgers has confirmed he will offer Steven Gerrard a new contract at Liverpool as the club close in on the £12m signing of Daniel Sturridge from Chelsea.

Liverpool's attempts to sign Sturridge early in the forthcoming transfer window hit a complication after the 23-year-old's representatives demanded a percentage of any future sell-on fee. The club's refusal led to a medical being postponed on Merseyside on Wednesday but following further talks between the managing director Ian Ayre and Octogan, the medical was re-booked and took place on Sunday.

No deal can be officially announced until 1 January but with Sturridge having agreed personal terms prior to the hitch with the agents, and the fee agreed, a significant obstacle in the way of the striker joining Liverpool has been overcome.

Rodgers is also keen to secure the pillars of Liverpool on long-term contracts and has revealed Gerrard's contract at Anfield – which expires at the end of the 2013-14 season – will not be the captain's last with his boyhood club.

The Liverpool manager said: "Steven is vital to us and I recognise that. I know he has 18 months left on his contract but I would want him to go beyond that for this club and this team. What I would say with Steven is he has a real hunger to succeed. He may be 32 years of age, but he's still got so much left. He applies himself right, he eats well, he recovers well, he works well, he does everything right.

"This is a guy who has led his life right as a football player and that allows you to play well into your 30s. I would want him to stay beyond his current contract and extend it. There is absolutely no question about that. He has played every minute of every league game for us which shows what an incredible figure for us he is."

Gerrard scored for the second week in succession at Anfield as Liverpool cruised to a 4-0 win over Fulham on Saturday, having gone 17 games without a goal for club and country before the consolation against Aston Villa. The England captain has come under scrutiny for his lack of goals and altered role under Rodgers this season but the manager insists the influence remains as great as ever.

Rodgers said: "You look at his stats this season and he is right up there as one of the most influential midfielders in the Premier League. He's at the top in chances created, passing, possession; all the important things. I find it incredible he can have had any criticism at all. It is absolutely ridiculous. From seeing him every day working, and seeing him playing in the games, it's incredible. Ridiculous. Incredible. Absolutely incredible.

"OK, he may not be getting the goals he did five or six years ago but that doesn't stop you influencing the game, and his influence for me – and especially once he was starting to understand what I'm looking for – has been absolutely top class. He has been an inspirational captain for us, he has been a huge figure in the development of this team. We are improving, we are growing, and he has influenced that."

[MrMichael]

I was surprised to see that Stevie is like the 5th highest scoring fantasy league midfielder this season so far now. 4 goals and 7 assists in the league alone.

If he carries on at that rate he'd finish with ~8 goals & ~15 assists for the season. Not bad for a guy who apparently isn't worth his place in our team any more.