As Steven Gerrard's career has developed at Liverpool, the general consensus was that Liverpool relied on him too heavily, that they were a one man team.
Now Liverpool's Number 8 is entering the twilight stage of his career and the tide has turned, with latest suggestions pointing towards a possible exclusion from the team.
Under current manager Brendan Rodgers, Gerrard has been deployed in a deeper role, orchestrating Liverpool's attacking play rather than the box to box forays that made him one of the best central midfielders in the game.
Even more recently, he has been the deepest of Liverpool's midfielders, playing the anchoring role mastered by the likes of Claude Makelele and Javier Mascherano. During those two games, Liverpool shipped 5 goals against lower league opposition, the latter of the two (2-2 v Aston Villa at Anfield) even prompted a stinging self-analysis from the man himself.
"I think when the Manager watches the video of the game I might be a bit further forward in future, or even on the bench" said Gerrard.
With Liverpool's defensive weaknesses coinciding with an upturn in form for Liverpool's tireless midfielder Jordan Henderson, questions are being asked as to whether the man who is arguably Liverpool's greatest ever player no longer deserves a place in a more dynamic and mobile Liverpool midfield.
Across the years Gerrard has been used in the majority of outfield positions available, beginning his career in the right back slot before moving into a central midfield role in Gerard Houllier's later team selections. A new more successful era followed under Rafa Benitez and Gerrard was often deployed wide right, despite initial scepticism from fans and player himself.
Under current manager Brendan Rodgers, Gerrard has been deployed in a deeper role, orchestrating Liverpool's attacking play rather than the box to box forays that made him one of the best central midfielders in the game.
Even more recently, he has been the deepest of Liverpool's midfielders, playing the anchoring role mastered by the likes of Claude Makelele and Javier Mascherano. During those two games, Liverpool shipped 5 goals against lower league opposition, the latter of the two (2-2 v Aston Villa at Anfield) even prompted a stinging self-analysis from the man himself.
"I think when the Manager watches the video of the game I might be a bit further forward in future, or even on the bench" said Gerrard.
With Liverpool's defensive weaknesses coinciding with an upturn in form for Liverpool's tireless midfielder Jordan Henderson, questions are being asked as to whether the man who is arguably Liverpool's greatest ever player no longer deserves a place in a more dynamic and mobile Liverpool midfield.
Across the years Gerrard has been used in the majority of outfield positions available, beginning his career in the right back slot before moving into a central midfield role in Gerard Houllier's later team selections. A new more successful era followed under Rafa Benitez and Gerrard was often deployed wide right, despite initial scepticism from fans and player himself.
He occupied all four positions in the midfield under Benitez before stepping into the Advanced Playmaker role behind Fernando Torres in what was the most feared partnership since the Dalglish and Rush days.
An upturn in personal performances, goalscoring form and on the pitch success for Liverpool means Gerrard is seen still, 5 years on, an attacking midfielder. He has the ability, the intelligence and creativity, but the lack of pace is what worries Brendan Rodgers.
"I think Steven has the attributes to drop back towards a defensive position to prolong his career."
But does he have the defensive steel to protect a fragile Liverpool back 5? The stats suggest not...
(www.squawka.com)
With a 47% Tackle success rate, it's hard to see how Gerrard can play the deep midfield role. This Liverpool defence needs protection and if Gerrard is going to play an orchestrator role from deep, then he needs a anchorman next to him to protect the defence.
Let's compare Gerrard's stats to those who mastered his new position in the past.
When Claude Makelele started at Chelsea, he brought a reputation from La Liga that he was a destroyer, and the stats backed him up.
An upturn in personal performances, goalscoring form and on the pitch success for Liverpool means Gerrard is seen still, 5 years on, an attacking midfielder. He has the ability, the intelligence and creativity, but the lack of pace is what worries Brendan Rodgers.
"I think Steven has the attributes to drop back towards a defensive position to prolong his career."
But does he have the defensive steel to protect a fragile Liverpool back 5? The stats suggest not...
(www.squawka.com)
With a 47% Tackle success rate, it's hard to see how Gerrard can play the deep midfield role. This Liverpool defence needs protection and if Gerrard is going to play an orchestrator role from deep, then he needs a anchorman next to him to protect the defence.
Let's compare Gerrard's stats to those who mastered his new position in the past.
When Claude Makelele started at Chelsea, he brought a reputation from La Liga that he was a destroyer, and the stats backed him up.
An incredible tackle success % of 78% (www.skysports.com) shows how that role should be played. Despite the role changing into a more technical dynamic role, you still need to be able to tackle, to break up a counter attack for example, and with Gerrard in that role, Liverpool have been left wide open and if it wasn't for the SAS partnership, they'd have gained 0 points from 2 winnable games.
Although Rodgers refers to this role as the 'Regista' or the 'Quarterback', an already weak backline requires constant protection in the form of an Anchorman. Gerrard, playing as Liverpool's deepest midfielder has to occupy both in a two man midfield, and early indications show he isn't capable of that.
With Lucas missing another 8 weeks, Joe Allen is the natural replacement, with his harassment, tenacity and technical ability he has what Rodgers is looking for from the 'Gerrard' role. So where does that leave the captain?
With Sterling on form, an unbreakable SAS partnership and a never ending battery in Jordan Henderson, it seems to be a shootout between Phillipe Coutinho, who despite suffering from a lull in form, remains Liverpool's creative lynchpin and Liverpool's captain.
What does the future hold for Steven Gerrard? The prospect of him no longer gracing the Fields of Anfield Road grows by the day, possibly signalling the end of an era for a unique talent.
Although Rodgers refers to this role as the 'Regista' or the 'Quarterback', an already weak backline requires constant protection in the form of an Anchorman. Gerrard, playing as Liverpool's deepest midfielder has to occupy both in a two man midfield, and early indications show he isn't capable of that.
With Lucas missing another 8 weeks, Joe Allen is the natural replacement, with his harassment, tenacity and technical ability he has what Rodgers is looking for from the 'Gerrard' role. So where does that leave the captain?
With Sterling on form, an unbreakable SAS partnership and a never ending battery in Jordan Henderson, it seems to be a shootout between Phillipe Coutinho, who despite suffering from a lull in form, remains Liverpool's creative lynchpin and Liverpool's captain.
What does the future hold for Steven Gerrard? The prospect of him no longer gracing the Fields of Anfield Road grows by the day, possibly signalling the end of an era for a unique talent.
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shut up u manc faggot
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