Christ, we have more glaring problems than to pick on Steven Gerrard. I would put money on the fact that if he was playing yesterday, it would've been a more favourable outcome. If he's fit, he plays and he has at least another 2-3 seasons in him. End of.
I prefered it when the likes of Carroll, Henderson, Adam and downing were getting the stick. Seems we've moved onto Gerrard and Suarez too now.
When he's fit he'll play, why? Because he's by far the best player we have in midfield. I mean, for a start, he'd have seen Henderson in a sea of space charging into the Arsenal box.
He's not finished and we're certainly not better without him.
Can't help but feel as though many are missing the point of the thread here - the principle intention isn't to criticise Steven Gerrard.
Our Captain has been absent as much as he's been available since the Summer of 2010 - also consider that a number of those appearances would have been sub appearances or those made as part of the 'road to recovery'. In addition, we've lost the likes of Xabi Alonso, Javier Mascherano, and Fernando Torres - key to maximising Gerrard's contributions over various parts of the last 8 years. Furthermore, Newcastle game aside, it appears as though Gerrard is beginning to find it more difficult to get up to speed (following absence) and maintain his previous form (whether linked to absence/injury/team-mates/age-fatigue).
I don't believe for a second that there are people on RAWK who truly believe that the Liverpool squad is better off without Steven Gerrard in it - the problem is that nobody can be quite sure just what his value is to the team any more. How often will he be available for selection? How fit will he be when available? Will he hit for instantly, as we've seen in the past? What is his level, now? How does he gel with the rest of the team?
It seems to me that including Gerrard in our pre-season formations serves only to restrict us in our potential - nobody wants him out but depending on the iconic figure smacks of excess sentimentality. I'd hope, given how the last two seasons have gone, that we change our strategy and consider Gerrard as a luxury - in the summer we need to be on the lookout for a top class partner for Lucas Leiva, not a reliable deputy to cover for Steven Gerrard's occasional absences. A squad whereby Gerrard is generally considered first name on the bench (and do consider that his versatility pretty much means that this would guarantee him a great number of starts, when available) is what we need if we're to move forwards.
