AT one time Anfield was the stage for which Steven Gerrard was the protagonist producing performances that did more than simply steal the show, they were the entertainment at L4.
The Kop looked to Gerrard and Gerrard manufactured brilliance. First he provided steel, then he provided brains and eventually he provided goals. At his best he provided all three.
But the Steven Gerrard of 2012 has not been so heroic. This version is a silhouette of the one that romped through the opposition so consistently from 2004-2010. The figure we have seen has been 5 yards off the pace of the game, not so all-conquering and perhaps no longer feared by those who enter his domain.
The game against Aston Villa was as deflating as it was agonising. The story of the season of domination and capitulation by Liverpool was weaved once more only this time the ending did not offer hope. It provided the brutal reminder that there are still doubts about this edition of Liverpool. What was not in doubt was that this was Gerrard’s worst game all season. His display was less tempest and more a taming by the claret and blue. The game was the nadir of a campaign which has been blighted by mediocre performances from a player who’s greatness was once unparalleled.
In years gone by, Gerrard would have been at the heart of a Liverpool backlash following a first half shell shocking. Particularly against a Villa side that are a far cry from their vintages under the rule of O’Neill. And while it was Gerrard in name that may have scored the consolation for Liverpool, it was surely Glen Johnson who could stake the moral claim for the goal.
While Gerrard may be a walking shadow, he is not a poor player. A quick look at the number of chances created shows Gerrard to still be amongst the league’s elite, his delivery from deep lying set plays is a huge asset and his meaning to Liverpool is unshakable. Another story however is this: 8, 9, 3. This is the number of goals he has scored in the 2011 season, last season and this season respectively; though without context these numbers are not quite as stark as they will become. The games played for those returns 24, 28 and 24. At one goal every 8 games this is the least productive season for Gerrard for a decade.
[ad_pod id=”unruly-video” align=”center”]
The most staggering part is that Gerrard is still the man who plays in an advanced midfield role, he is the man tasked with supplying Suarez and lightening the goal burden. His loyalty to the club has earned the backing that Rodgers afforded him recently when stating that the burden of goals should not just be placed around Gerrard’s neck. However, the blockbusters of old are now blocked blasters and the deadeye accuracy has been replaced with wayward slices. Throw in his reticence to shoot and watching Liverpool’s number 8 now is like seeing a phantom of the old player.
It may well be that it is much ado about nothing, that he is trying too hard, that he is suffering a lack of confidence or that after two seasons hindered by injury, he is struggling to find his fitness and sharpness. Effectively, he may simply be out of form for the first time since pulling a red jersey over his head.
However, the one thing that has been there for all to see this season is that the midfield has not scored enough goals, has been cut open to concede regularly and the talismanic version of Gerrard has been in absentia.
He is the constant in a midfield that has been shuffled and reshuffled and perhaps he is the cause of the inconsistent displays that have characterised Liverpool this season. Previously, when our captain’s indispensability has been questioned he has responded with match winning goals or feats of such magnitude even the greatest of foes would succumb. Sadly, those ripostes are not available to him this season.
There is certainly truth to the argument that he is a victim of expectation. But as we all know, expectation is the root of all heartache and it would therefore not be wise to expect Gerrard to return to his former majesty.
Brendan Rogers has been right to back our captain throughout this tough period but ambition should be made of sterner stuff. Rodgers has proved himself to be brave enough to make strong choices before so he should not fear hauling off our main man. Reputation should be afforded respect but underperformance should not be allowed to continue unabated.
[ad_pod id=’DFP-MPU’ align=’right’]
Live4Liverpool is recruiting columnists. For further info contact the site editor at live4liverpool@snack-media.com
Follow us on Twitter here: @live4Liverpool and ‘Like’ us on Facebook
simple fact is he doesnt fit into BRs system, the midfield 3 have got to chase/close down and work their socks off, put Steven on the right of the front 3 and let someone else do the donkey work in midfield
2 problems with Gerrard this season
– 1 , Rodgers is not using him property , played him out of position most of season and silly sideways passing is not what Gerrard is about
– 2 , Like a lot of Liverpool fans , Gerrard knows what is , he knows he is a spoofer and is out of his depth . Gerrard has lost interest because he knows its a lost cause til Rodgers goes
knows what Rodgers is – I meant
Dope!
nice response…didn’t say why he’s a dope.
i agree with KirbyKing, a lot of people on different forums are saying exactly the same thing.
so, please next time, don’t call someone a dope without a valid reason.
the only dope is BR.
And what makes you think Gerrard has lost interest in Rodgers philosophy? Did he tell you? I remember Gerrard playing on the right wing all season under Rafa and still scoring 20 something goals. He’s had a lot of shots at goal this season from outside the box where normally he puts them away but instead going wide or over the cross bar. Simple fact is he has lost confidence and is out of form and maybe he’s trying to hard.
you don’t go from being the world’s best to 0 in a few months. of course he is getting old, no one denies that. it’s part of the game. but you can see it on his face, he’s lost interest in BR.
seriously, how you gonna from playing in CL finals, playing under GH, then Rafa, then Kenny (all world class managers) then now under BR…come on.
Yes Gerrard looks disinterested , even is his interviews , he is saying whats expected … but he knows , he is an intelligent man , he is counting the days til Rodgers dismissal
Under KD he wasn’t playing well at all, yes he was injured but in the Capital One Cup final he was poor where he normally steps up. KD was a world class manager in the late 80s but not second time round. Look at the rubbish he has bought.
I’m not defending BR I’m sick of him being in the media all the time it’s frustrating but Gerrard is out of form
and completely frustrated after putting his heart and soul for so many years now to see his beloved club in the s@&t. Lampard is another prime example of being old lost pace and confidence.
its like if you were driving a porche , then you downgraded to a skoda !
would you feel passionate and enthusiastic for the skoda ?????? i dont thinlk so
And getting old.
I could not agree more roy rogers is well out of his depth and is sinking fast and taking us with him, and i cannot remember such a retreating back line in all my life they cannot mark up to save thier lives
KirbyKing has hit the proverbial nail, Gerrard has been played to deep, with silly little side passes and no ambition in the team to penetrate the oppo’s box.
Your right
Its disgusting to think people are slagging stevie when it is clearly another example of Rodgers mismanagement
Gerrard is being used like a donkey in midfield rather than where he is effective . Any Liverpool fans should show loyalty to one of our greatest ever players and great guy , rather than Rodgers who is a bullsh*tting no mark who deserves no loyalty . Kop on people
reddumb , go back to your hole
please reply with an intelligent response using logic, stats, and something smart. don’t be insulting. if you want to be insulting go to a nightclub and insult someone there.
we are here to get intelligent points from everyone, and find out why we are in a frekin mess.
Dope!!
Its jack the lad again pretending to be someone else . classy
yes Rodgers is totally wasting one of the worlds best attacking midfielders . its like asking odd job man to run an global empire .
Brendan Rogers will probably go down as our darkest moment in the history of this club
Triuble with Gerrard is, he has too many monkeys on his back, the biggest Rodgers himself.
Rodgers deliberately highlighted the criticism Gerrard was getting a few weeks back , a clever ploy to deflect attention away from his own shocking performance
The way i see it is this . Gerrard doesnt fit into Rodgers (boring) gameplan and Rodgers would like to dump Gerrard but cant .
Rodgers will be gone someday soon thankfully , hopefully Gerrard will be there for a long time
Its a difficult time for Gerrard now , he needs our support not criticism
i fully agree 110%
It breaks my heart to say it. But he’s getting old. Not even a player as great as Stevie G can defeat father time. His stamina, pace & strength were some of his greateset skills at his peak.
Not all players can adapt the way Ryan Giggs has over the years to change his style to still be there. Even Ryan Giggs has started to look lost out there over the last couple of years. Stevie G ain’t that bad yet. But this old War Horse can’t keep it up forever.
I’ll wait for all the hard-core loyalists to start flaming me. But that doesn’t change the fact that Stevie G doesn’t have the physical gifts he used to.
Reminds me of my friend who keeps on telling me we need to bring back Torres so him & Stevie G can work like they did in 2007/2008. Except its not 2007/2008.
He is only 31 , still in his prime , maybe should be rested a little thats all .He will get back his form only when we have a good manager who uses him right
32 now
I think the problem with stevie G is simply Brendan Rodgers . Gerrard may never be the amazing superman he once was , but get a decent manager who plays him correctly and you will see a great player again
i used to think a lot of liverpool fans , while other clubs have a lot of immature fans running around going ‘yeah were the best ‘ or ‘ha your sh@t ‘. i always thought liverpool fans smarter – but ive changed my mind in recent months
firstly – we have cutthroat owners only interested in making money , and have made horrendous decisions in running the club . we should be putting pressure on them to sell , YET ~ some fans support them . ????
secondly – we have a unproven manager , clearly out of his depth , who has brought us backwards in only 6 months , who inflicts terrible boring football on us , YET ~ some fans support him . ????
finally – we have steven gerrard , a living legend , hero both as a footballer and a man , a man who has given more to liverpool than any fan ever will. YET ~ the same people who support fsg and rodgers slag him off . ????
why ? because they are looking for a scapegoat for our rubbish team , rather than looking at whose fault it really is – rodgers
these fans should be ashamed of themselves
agree with you Bob. not sure why some deluded people are supporting rodgers. some in the media like rodgers and are backing him to take LFC in the top 4.
maybe because he plays nice tika tiki style? pleasing to watch but no substance.
pleasing to watch ? you jest surely ?
I also agree Bob … and i actually wonder .. Are they actually Liverpool fans ? I dont understand any fan who would choose to support people who are harming our football club
My only consolation is that Steven Gerrard will be at Liverpool long after the dope Rodgers is sacked .
They are too stupid to feel shame , but your 100% spot on
i with you on that one
Well said
Your totally right , for a while i thought i was the only sane Liverpool fan
If they guy is played properly and managed beter I think he has many years left, I support him and he has my backing 100 percent BR on the other hand I am not so sure of
Good manager’s get the best out of their players , Thats what make them good manager’s . Look at Rafa at chelsea with Torres . We have an amateur manager who is clueless on how to get best out of anybody .
Gerrard may have lost a bit of pace , but he is only 31 and still top top class . Rodgers is doing what he always does – mucking things up .
If we want Gerrard back in form then sack the fool
Thanks mate, you got out bang on. Look at yesterdays game with that idiot Allen out of team everything feel into right places. I don’t understand y there are ppl criticizing Gerrard while he of the only true LFC loyalist unlike the bunch of high priced failures Rodgers bought along with him.
Sack the fool , keep the legend
I totally agree with Kirbykings comment about Stevie losing interrst in Rodgers style . He looks uninterested and he is not been able to play his style of football , while Rodgers restrains him . These lads know a good manager from a bad one . Watch his game improve when we get new manager in
I think most of the experienced pros know Rodgers is useless , but what can they dio ? except grin and bear it until the change happens
S. Gerrard can’t shot in target. Please replay any matches this session. Why?
Gerrard lost all passion and hunger when Hodgson was boss too , its same with Rodgers .
It probably difficult for him to watch the club he loves be turned into shi#e by bad management
You’re all wrong about BR. this is his solution:
plan A: pass,pass,pass,pass,pass,pass,pass,pass,
plan B: pass,pass,pass,pass,pass,pass,pass,pass,
plan C: pass,pass,pass,pass,pass,pass,pass,pass,
see he does have a plan!
Well spotted that . With that masterplan in tow – the rest of the football world must be shaking with fear
Please, Rodgers don’t know the difference between tiki taka & chicken tika. he can foil the American owners not us the fans.
Thank you Bob for putting things into perspective for some of the wanna be fans.
Spot on – Legend yes but his time will soon be over. BR should use him in a holding position but not as an attacking midfielder.
Its time to pass on his experience to the youngsters.
He is usually good for 60 minutes and no more. I hope he proves me wrong but as with Carra there is only so much mileage you can do and then it’s time to help bleed in the youngsters. Stevie G is one of those rare servants that will uplift any youngster and help LFC find the form that made them one of the best football clubs in the world.
I don’t believe it’s the manager that is responsible for his bad form. It’s up to each player to perform at 100% every game. Luis Saurez, played every single game with passion and tenacity irrespective of his faults.
LFC for life