Topic: Steven Gerrard the new Lothar Matthaeus?

[Terry De Niro]

There was a thread on here a few weeks ago suggesting that Gerrard should play deeper. One in which I actually wholeheartedly disagreed with.

Having seen him play that role yesterday, I'm suddenly thinking, why not?

Some people may suggest that we battered a poor Burnley team who didn't really offer any sort of threat against us. But..Let's be honest Aston Villa in my opinion are probably on par with them, and look what happened when we played them a few weeks ago.

The big thing I noticed yesterday, was how confident the defence looked with Gerrard playing the deeper role, and passing the ball out instead of hoofing it.

Also the fact that the advancing players, Yossi, Dirk and Albert seemed to revel in their responsibilities of creating the attacks. Knowing that at anytime he'd be there to help out when needed.

I know Stevie offers us so much going forward, but I think we proved yesterday that we've got other options in that department.

To use a phrase.."at the end of the day" I couldn't care less how we win, but having seen that performance yesterday, it's certainly given me food for thought.

[.adam]

I think Aquilani will take the role Gerrard played today once fit.

[Sayeret]

Personally, when Gerrard plays farther up, it seems that he and Torres just get bombarded with players covering their move.  When Stevie charges downfield from a CM position, he can get in relativly unmarked and create amazing chances, and screamer goals.

[Strawberry Fields]

Some people may suggest that we battered a poor Burnley team who didn't really offer any sort of threat against us. But..Let's be honest Aston Villa in my opinion are probably on par with them

I'm sorry but I stopped reading there.
Really? Burnley and Aston Villa are on par level? Has the Barry saga made people hate them so much that they can't give them any credit?

[Ecuared]

I think Rafa will be seriously considering Gerrard´s role in the team after yesterday´s performance. In an ideal world I think we would all rather have Gerrard playing in the hole, but considering Lucas-Masch really only worked in the Stoke game, we may have to look into pulling Stevie back into midfield for certain situations. Hopefully once Aquilani gets fit the need for Gerrard in midfield will be eradicated and he can play further forward where he poses so much threat to the opposition.

I think Lucas has a lot of potential, but at the moment he isn´t going to boss midfield like Xabi did, or like Stevie can. If we want to make a title run we can´t afford to be relying too heavily on the young Brazilian or we will find ourselves far off the pace, he just isn´t there yet. That´s not a knock on the lad, but as far as I´m concerned it´s just the plain old truth. Playing second fiddle to Gerrard he held his own today, so there is defenitely a future in that pairing.

Stevie has matured a lot and knows what is needed of him in any given role. Rafa said so much after the game. I thought he did a good job yesterday of keeping it simlpe when needed, and bursting forward when the chance arose. If he is needed in midfield he will be used there, even if it´s clear that Rafa would rather have him as playing as a "10".

[abhred]

Agree with the title.

Gerrard gives us possibilities, no?

[_00_deathscar]

This Gerrard fella, he's half decent, no?

[TheoRacle]

Personally, when Gerrard plays farther up, it seems that he and Torres just get bombarded with players covering their move.  When Stevie charges downfield from a CM position, he can get in relativly unmarked and create amazing chances, and screamer goals.

Yep some teams have definatley figured us out when we play Torres and Gerrard up front.  Man mark Gerrard and the Torres/Gerrard threat is removed entirely.

Benayoun in the hole is a great option but I wonder if we'll also see a 4 1 2 3 formation with Aquilani and Gerrard supporting a front three with Aurelio/Insua and Johnson bombing on.

[Giono]

I think that Gerrard is more effective in a free role behind Torres. He's a a great player and will look good anywhere on the field, but I think playing behind Torres lets him make the most of his quickness.

Unfortunately this season, Gerrard is getting less space to play because our midfield of Masch and Lucas have not been a creative threat. Opposing teams' midfielders used to to try to pressure and rush Xabi. Now, our midfield is not the same threat and they can sit back and crowd Gerrard instead.

Gerrard is best up front. We just need our midfield to get their crap together, build some plays and draw some attention to themselves.

Bolton was a good example of a team that devoted midfield resources to covering Gerrard. They had one midfielder glued to him all match. Why? Because they didn't think that Masch and Lucas would do anything with the space this freed-up for them to operate in.

Gerrard's skills dictate that he should ideally play up with Torres. Period.

A dangerous midfield pairing + Gerrad up front > Gerrard in midfield + someone else up front

[SMD]

I thought Gerrard did nothing that Lucas hadn't done the past few weeks, except players were actually passing to him.
He was a bit anonymous going forward in the first half and it's no coincidence his best spell came once he camped in the final third for the last quarter.

If anything, I thought Lucas held together the midfield better.

And no, I'm not baiting - don't turn this into a Lucas bashing thread anyone because I genuinely have this opinion.

[Giono]

If anything, I thought Lucas held together the midfield better.

I agree. Lucas' awareness allowed for Gerrard to be more freed-up to move forward when the moment was right. And Lucas got forward himself during the match.

[Garsonite]

Lets be honest - we were totally unimaginative up until our goal. Without that bit of creativity from Yossi, it could easily have turned into 'one of those games' and people would probably have been complaining that Benitez played Gerrard further back. If it aint broke, don't fix it. For me, the Gerrard and Torres partnership is THE reason we had a chance at the league last season. I wouldn't mess with it.

[woof]

We've seen how Gerrard can be tagged out of the match and maybe the tactic would be for him to constantly switch with Yossi. The crux is not to become a one-trick pony but have players switching roles. With Aquilani fit, we have another player who can be added into the mix. In fact, Dirk was playing quite deep in the centre at the start of first half

[Live4pool]

no matter what position we would play Gerrard in he would look a class act, hes just one of those few and far between players that is truly gifted in some aspects of his play, and competent to above average in the rest. besides to the OP ithink Aquilani will more than adequatley fill that role, giving Gerrard more of the best thing to happen to jis playing style ...... Fernando Torres

[Scarlet`]

I thought Gerrard is better than Matthaeus already   He was one of my favourite players back in the days haha

[JackWard33]

he can play anywhere but hes an AM not a CM if you want him at his best

at the game yesterday i was shocked how often players ran off him or found space where he should have been
Lucas was the reason we dominate central midfield yesterday

[woof]

he can play anywhere but hes an AM not a CM if you want him at his best

at the game yesterday i was shocked how often players ran off him or found space where he should have been
Lucas was the reason we dominate central midfield yesterday

We should and we did crush Burnley. The real test is playing against minnows which park the bus or against the other top 4. Just because we annihilated Burnley doesn't mean it'll work all the time. We just need variation and flexibility in our game

[abhred]

Just have Aquilani playing the role Gerrard played, and Gerrard further up. It's going to be terrifying attack force.

[_00_deathscar]

Yep some teams have definatley figured us out when we play Torres and Gerrard up front.  Man mark Gerrard and the Torres/Gerrard threat is removed entirely.

Benayoun in the hole is a great option but I wonder if we'll also see a 4 1 2 3 formation with Aquilani and Gerrard supporting a front three with Aurelio/Insua and Johnson bombing on.

Correct with the first part, but that's a knock on effect from us losing Xabi. Xabi was very quick (when he needed to be) in getting the ball out to the wings or to Gerrard to unleash Torres. We also had at least one of the opposition pressuring Xabi to try to constrict his space, which gave Gerrard more room.

With Mascherano and Lucas, this doesn't happen - the opposition midfield is more than happy to sit back because Mascherano and Lucas just aren't as much of a threat and look a bit lost (at times), thus the opposition have all the time in the world to make sure Gerrard doesn't get the ball.

I think until Aquilani returns from injury, Gerrard in midfield may be the best way to go unless Lucas or Mascherano suddenly become world class playmakers overnight.

[woof]

We have a number of goal threats - Torres, Gerrard, Yossi and Kuyt. If Masch and Lucas can provide adequate cover, that leaves the four of them to attack stubborn opposition. We also have Johnson who's dangerous on the right, Riera who can trouble most defences when he's on his game and Aquilani who has a better shot than Xabi.

As I'd mentioned in other threads, it's having the variation and flexibility that will win us games

[tHe^CuLpRit]

In Alonso's absence, and if Yossi is fit, Gerrard is best suited playing a deeper role.

Would be interesting once Aquilani recovers though.

[skidz73]

Yep some teams have definatley figured us out when we play Torres and Gerrard up front.  Man mark Gerrard and the Torres/Gerrard threat is removed entirely.

You think it's that easy, do you?

[woof]

The difference between a good and great player is that the latter can do well regardless of where you play him. Gerrard has played in a number of positions and excelled in every one of them

[_00_deathscar]

You think it's that easy, do you?

A few teams have certainly tried and failed. But better to try and fail than to let Gerrard have the freedom of the pitch...

[Gareth]

Anfield has become a bit of a playground for Gerrard now. Doesn't matter who the opposition are (Burnley to Real Madrid) he makes it look so easy.

You could play him in nets and he'll let in 2 but still score 3 penalties, win the game and claim man of the match.

Looked superb yesterday and I have to eat my words in saying we'd be weakened up front if he was moved back. Stand up (again!) Yossi. Won the game Gerrard style - single handedly.

[CHOPPER]

If only he was as good as a Messi, a Kaka, a Ronaldinho or even a Ronaldo then we could truly call him half decent. Fingers crossed for our up and coming water carrier.

[kiNki]

if a front three behind torres were anyway comparable to stevie g for consistency of performance then yes we could play gerrard deeper.

If the Aquilani and masc pair together well - gerrard will continue further upfront.

Gerrard remains one of the best central midfielders we have, he is also the best 'in the hole' player, probably the best right and left midfielder too. It's somewhat upto the consistency of performance of his fellow team-mates that will determine and dictate where gerrard will play.

[felix.]

gerrard will play out the twilight of his career in a deeper position, best keep him where he is while we still can.

[matt120979]

Just have Aquilani playing the role Gerrard played, and Gerrard further up. It's going to be terrifying attack force.

... what I was thinking? I know people are saying Gerrard is AM not CM, but in truth he can play anywhere and be better than most. Aquilani, on the other hand, from what I've heard only plays the more advanced role.

[Peyres]

Aquilani doesnt ONLY play the advanced role, Roma were at their most successful play a 4-2-3-1 like us, and Aquilani was in the "2" with De Rossi

[BazC]

He was class, but there were a few of those last season as well if you know where to look.

And did it detract from him getting in on goal? Did it fuck, should have scored at least 1 (and could have easily gotten a hat trick as well) and got a top assist as well.

I've never been to averse to Gerrard in CM since Alonso went because I know it wouldn't effect his attacking game, but he would be able to add the calmness in midfield we've sometimes lacked. He did both well yesterday- knew when to attack, when to stay back and when he just needed to support others getting forward (like Lucas). He's had that discipline for a couple of years now.

In fact, I'd argue him being in CM would actually make him more likely to score in some games. It's easy to man mark a 2nd striker- you just stick your holding CM on him. But if Gerrard's attacking from deep he's cutting through the zones of the opposition team- making it harder for him to be picked up. We saw it yesterday.

But yeah- Aquilani will come in and do that as well hopefully so it'd be a temporary thing. At the moment, Gerrard's performance yesterday was the best in CM this season- certainly the best example of stringing the ball from the defence through to the attackers efficiently.

[Benimar Col]

ive thought for a while now that when his legs start giving in like they will due to the efforts he puts in,  he can slot further back in a deeper role with the view to becoming a red Kaizer,  hes as good if not better than Beckenbauer and im sure he could add some stability into the defence in later years

hes more of an influence on the pitch than on the bench,  god forbid the day Stevie hangs up his boots,  the next player manager of our club ?   who knows,  but player coach would be ideal,  he must not be allowed to leave and must never be sold

[Ron]

Although I do recognize the greatness of Lothar Matthäus as a  midfield player, I still think he's too big an asshole to be compared to our Stevie.
Horrible person.

[Dr Cornwallis]

I think Stevie should be given a free role, full stop.
Imagine him playing without any responsibility to be here or there at a certain time, you can just rely on his footballing brain to make the right choices, thundering into Scholes one minute and running outside of Johnson the next.

[Paul JH]

So 5 years down the line, and we are still having a 'what's Gerrards best position?' discussion?

There was a thing in the paper this week about Emile Heskey, someone saying the only way he'll prove his critics wrong is by 'scoring goals'. The very same thing that's been levelled at him for years. He's what, 32 now? Emile Heskey doesn't score bagfuls of goals, never has, and yet people still have the discussion.

And yet, 5 years on, Gerrard has played pretty much everywhere, right wing, centre mid, left wing (England), up front, and yet we are still having this discussion about where he should play, rather than just accepting the fact that because he's so versatile, he'll play anywhere the manager picks him to, and play well.

He plays centre mid, people say they shouldn't break up the Torres partnership.
He plays up front, people say he can't bomb forward and should be in centre mid.
He plays right wing a few years back, best ever season, and people say he should have been playing in the middle.

It's neverending.

[killer_heels]

Best player at Liverpool. Best player in England. Best player in Europe. Best player in the world!

[west_london_red]

Credit needs to go to Yossi here. The fact he can cover for Gerrard so well allows us to consider these changes.

What I would say about the Gerrard & Torres partnership is that it could be easier to mark the two of them when they are so close. With Gerrard coming in from deep and Yossi still being a handful in the hole, I think it gives defennders a lot more to think about.

[woof]

Best player at Liverpool. Best player in England. Best player in Europe. Best player in the world!

Can't say he's the best in the world but he's clearly the most versatile and therefore very valuable to any team he plays in

[killer_heels]

Can't say he's the best in the world but he's clearly the most versatile and therefore very valuable to any team he plays in

Nah, he is the best player in the world, as well as the most versatile.

He is more than just versatile. He is fucking amazing. Plus he would be vital, not just valuable, to whatever team he would play for and he would certainly would end up playing for anyone.

[Degs]

The thing about Gerrard is he's our best centre midfielder, our best defensive midfielder, our best right-winger, our best left-winger, our best right-back, our best left-back, and our best attacking mid.

The trick is putting him in a position that doesn't load him with responsibilities other than to unleash his deadly attacking force.  We'd rather Gerrard was 20 yards out than 40 yards out, or in our box tackling.


Or so the common consensus tells us.

I personally think Gerrard in the centre of midfield is excellent and even more of a compliment to Torres than when he's just behind him.
When Gerrard plays in the middle our attack is much, much, faster - he has a passing range similar to that of Xabi Alonso yet can charge out with the ball.  Yesterday everything flowed through Stevie, we had more than one man in the box because Kuyt was playing up top, we had Yossi being able to tuck inside because of Johnson and we scored goals because of it.

Stevie pulled the strings yesterday better than Xabi ever did, and that's saying something.  Sure it's only Burnley but last year against Stoke, West Ham, Fulham etc. we didn;t have drive from midfield that could burst through the bank of 5 in midfield, we tried beating these teams through pinpoint accuracy - which was never going to work rather than driving at them, particularly on the break, with lots of space, men in front of the ball and a man in the middle who can deliver a pass that's longer than 20 yards.

If Aquilani can do this job half as well then happy days but until he's fit when we're playing the shit sides Stevie belongs in the centre of the park with men in front of him giving him options.

Too often last year we saw how Stevie had to try and beat the 2 men marking him to try and slide a pass between the 3 men marking Torres.