Gerrard

[Brizzle]

I don't think Gene was saying he shouldn't be starting - I read it as maybe Gerrard's body isn't able to do what he wants it to do e.g. sprint as fast as he could previously, lunge into tackles he was once able to etc. He is still undoubtedly a key player for us and his discipline/ composure and passing last season was pivotal to our title challenge.

With additional breaks over the season due to no England duty and more games for someone to be rotated in for e.g. CL or Cup games I think he will feature in most PL games when he isn't injured.

 

[Oncy]

Give him time. He's probably going through a rough patch.

Thats no excuse for not picking up some mach 3 blades with the big shop.

 

[gene hughes]

I just want him to retire before he's shite and he has to be dropped. Maybe that isn't this summer, maybe it's next summer, or in 2 years. But I think it might be this summer.

 

[Woland]

But now Suarez has gone to Spain Gerrard is the best player in the league.

 

[Frogfish]

 

[Frogfish]

Guess which LB we should be going for ?

 

[rubans]

Its an annual thread - one year it will be correct

Yep, just like a broken watch. Will be correct once a day...

 

[Fabio]

Yep, just like a broken watch. Will be correct once a day...

That's a really broken watch

 

[Leo]

I'd genuinely prefer a hobbling cramp riddled Gerrard playing rather than our 'Brazilian' imbecile.

 

[gkmacca]

The face fuzz doesn't suit him, that much is clear,

 

[mom]

Same ol same ol. Heard the same ol shit before about Stevie. He's just come back from a shite World Cup and is older than others so it'll take him a little longer to get up to speed, but to write him off, again, is just thick. Yeh there are concerns about his game right now, but let's drop the knee jerk shit for once a wait for the season to start at least shall we?

 

[Athens]

That's a really broken watch

Must be a 24hr watch.

 

[Wilko7]

I'd genuinely prefer a hobbling cramp riddled Gerrard playing rather than our 'Brazilian' imbecile.

How about rather than the quick, skillful and physically imposing Emre Can?

 

[StevieM]

Must be a 24hr watch.

Digital technology - it's inspiring.

 

[Leo]

How about rather than the quick, skillful and physically imposing Emre Can?

Depends.
I take pre season form with a pinch of salt.
Aspas looked pretty decent in pre season last year if I remember correctly.
I've been harsh on Gerrard in the past due to his leadership and lack of defensive discipline but to write him off after a couple of pre season games is fucking daft.

 

[Wilko7]

Depends.
I take pre season form with a pinch of salt.
Aspas looked pretty decent in pre season last year if I remember correctly.
I've been harsh on Gerrard in the past due to his leadership and lack of defensive discipline but to write him off after a couple of pre season games is fucking daft.

I don't disagree with you however pre season or not, it seems Can represents a far greater threat to Gerrard's position than Lucas.

 

[gene hughes]

I should add that despite the stats I didn't think he was great last season.

*waves fist at everyone*

 

[Dreambeliever]

We need him for another year.

We don't have anyone blessed with his passing ability in the team - nor have we been looking for someone to replace him with.

Henderson vs Spurs away (when Gerrard was out)

 

[Delinquent]

Exactly. Infuriates me at times the lack of respect for a club legend.

It's only pre-season and the poor lad has just been through his worst ever 3 months in his entire life and is still recovering from that heartache. I'd like to see some of you go through that experience and see how y'all bitch bout it.

Give him a break ffs.

If that's the worst three months of his life then he can count himself very lucky indeed.

Besides, I haven't seen anyone disrespecting him. People are just questioning whether age has caught up with him. You can bet your bottom dollar that Stevie has asked the same question of himself this summer. I wonder if he hasn't drawn the same conclusion as some on here.

For my money, I think Can's arrival (and to some extent Suarez's departure) could be key. It looks like we'll now be sticking with one up front, which means more bodies in midfield. With two energetic midfielders (in Henderson and Can) alongside him perhaps Stevie's failing mobility will be less of an issue. He can still pass the ball as good as anyone, after all. I'd like to see him relieved of defensive responsibilities. He has always been best when he's been given the freedom to roam. Personally, I think Stevie will decide it's time to move on at the end of this season. It would be great to see him spend his final season pulling the strings in front of a deep midfielder rather than trying (and failing) to do the dirty work at the back.

 

[My_Blood_Bleeds_Red]

I agree. Stevie is just not a DM.

However, I think he can actually play the Pirlo role.

 

[mark1975]

It's just about getting the best out of him, quality not quantity. As Del says, with Can and Hendo, he has two very mobile, strong lads who will cover ground and pressurise opponents. While we have Allen who can step in and we have Coutinho who play at the tip of the triangle, with Can/Hendo behind.

He's worth it for his set pieces and the lift he gives the other lads, but he's not essential now and finding the best way of utilising him in certain games, while taking him out of others where we will need that extra bit of energy, is key. He's not "finished", statistically he was still one of the most productive midfielders in the country last season, but yeah, I think we should start easing ourselves into preparation for life without him.

 

[My_Blood_Bleeds_Red]

🙁

 

[RolandG]

Gerrard needs to shut up about winning the league when he keeps falling on his arse and mouth. Just go out and give it a proper go without sounding like a trumped up cunt from London.

 

[Wiberg]

You don't throw away a player as good as Gerrard, you do all you can to get the most from him for the longest time. Take Dalglish - he was given about half of every week off in his last two seasons to make sure he stayed fresh for games. Gerrard needs a few rests during the season but he's still a crucial player for the team.

Hey Macca

I see what you are saying. I think his Talisman status is the most important thing he offers these days. He is no Pirlo. He doesn't have those qualities. Watching England Vs Italy was torture. He never stepped up - he had nothing to offer. He looks scared on the ball. He knows he is slow these days and I think he completely lost confidence that he can actually beat a player. The only thing left on the field is the occasional long cross, which he still does better than most, and of course freekicks into the box. It really helped us when he was moved back, although it happened 2 years too late but now it's time to build a new team and he is part of the problem with Can and Lucas etc ready to offer a much better HM role.

I'm not sure he can stand to do a "Carragher". Did you read the article where he stated he was humiliated the last year at Anfield? Will Rodgers have the balls to do that to Gerrard I wonder... or will we be forced to see a Legend crumble until it's too obvious NOT to react? This is a key moment for Rodgers!

 

[Glen C]

Gerrard needs to shut up about winning the league when he keeps falling on his arse and mouth. Just go out and give it a proper go without sounding like a trumped up cunt from London.

Fuck me did you really just say that nonsense? Yeah he tripped so what? What about all the other times last season when he was dragging the team forward and getting us victories. So easily forgotten because he made a mistake. Jesus...

 

[localny]

I think his comments about playing overseas are the beginning of the end. They're likely getting us ready to roll. The trip to America will have changed things for him *maybe* - I think this season will be his swansong. SThat' my prediction - watch the drumbeat get louder.

 

[Jerry Laser]

I've got his horrible feeling his ability will suddenly fall off a cliff....
I think he in himself is questioning can he drag himself another season put in even more effort in training than last year etc....

It must be hard to keep up with these young lads and also the fact we have CL this season, Brendan will definitely need to pick and choose which games to play him in.

I think the Can transfer shows we need more legs....

Its going to be sad to watch Stevie G begin to deteriorate over the next season or 2..... Its a weird thought that always seemed such a long way off, but its nearly here....

Scary shit

 

[gkmacca]

He's a clever footballer. He's not finishing evolving yet as a player.

 

[Spaghetti Legs]

It must have been a huge mental blow to him what happened to him last season despite the brave face he put on it, it was such an emotional ride that was ended with a sledge hammer to the balls, add to that the England shite there has to be some mental and physical fatigue still lingering, he has started off the last 2 seasons slowly so its hard not to see it happening again with all thats gone on.

He'll be getting a decent rest though by missing out on all the England stuff early on in the season and from Rodgers taking him out of some games, he'll be allright, we'll need him to be because he's still a big player for us.

 

[localny]

it's incredible that the slip was essentially what cost us the league, especially when a draw would have done it that day. A slip. How cruel.