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The clock said that there were 15 minutes left for full time. It was 16 years to the day this man had made his debut for the club. He has stayed put with the club since, being the quintessential face that has defined the club, for the better part of that period. It has been 16 years since he made his debut, so, how much longer can he go?
Steven Gerrard was all of 18 years when he made his Liverpool first team debut on 29 November 1998. He was a last minute substitute in the game against Blackburn Rovers.
Gerrard was benched for the game that shared the week of his 16 year anniversary. Comments from Rodgers talking about his apparent ignorance of Gerrard reaching that milestone mean nothing to me. Gerrard started on the bench. It was another game for the team. He sat out for the team.
Steven Gerrard has not been himself for the better part of the second half of last season. And he has definitely not been his marauding self this season. Saying that he has been less than average is one way of putting it.
But in truth, every player needs to be played in the best position possible, for him to give in his utmost. Gerrard was played out of position on so many occasions when he set out in the national colours. That did not bring out the best in him. Did it?
Gerrard cannot, anymore, make those screaming, deafening runs into the middle, shocking the defense with his tenacity. Gerrard cannot, anymore, score fashionably from those freekicks. Gerrard cannot, anymore, score those trademark long range goals. Gerrard cannot, anymore, make those stellar, no-nonsense tackles. Gerrard cannot, anymore, pick out the pass he wants.Or can he?
Gerrard cannot be made to play in each and every match. That amounts to the usage of resources in the crudest of manners. When there are alternatives available, it seems rather foolhardy to persist with Gerrard, in a position that he is simply not comfortable with.
Gerrard cannot play in a deep role. Surely not now. His pace is non existent. The game has become so fast that deep-lying players get muscled out easily if they aren’t a tiny bit pacy. Gerrard does not have that. I believe that playing him in that position is a disadvantage to the club. And to the player.
Liverpool finished 2nd in the League last season, and was expected to make louder statements this season, with the sale of a certain Luis Suarez notwithstanding.
Liverpool has made certain loud statements this time around, but they ring all the wrong notes. Quality and talent are not in dearth in the Liverpool realms. Confidence and calm certainly are.
Brendan Rodgers has come in for a lot of criticism this season. He has had his share of booboos. But what must not be forgotten is what he did over the past few years. He needs the support of the Liverpool faithful. He brewed something so intoxicating last season, that it was untouchable.
Sadly, he dropped the can that had the brew. And believe me when I tell you that it is going to take a while until the next concoction is ready and fuming. Belief in Rodgers would help him.
Rodgers would have had many people giving him their opinions this season. And the entire internet fraternity is busy, either writing him off or telling him what to do. I am jumping onto that bandwagon.
I would say this to Brendan Rodgers. “Play Gerrard in spurts. Play Gerrard in a position where he can let fly, and not in a position where he feels constrained and trapped. Playing him in a deep-lying position makes him seem like an awful player. You know that he really isn’t. So wake up Rodgers.
He is that veteran weapon that you have in your arsenal: a weapon like none other. Use him well. That would bode well for the team. And it is the least that you can do for that selfless player.”
Steven Gerrard came on in the game against Stoke City, with just around 15 minutes for full time. What with the added seven mintues, he ended up playing for around 22 minutes. Not enough time for him to sketch an indelible mark on the game. But it was a euphemism for what his career has become.I took a moment to reflect on Gerrard’s 16 year tenure at Liverpool:
I feel incredibly grateful for his presence in the Liverpool colours. He joined Liverpool as a tender seven year old way back in 1987. He became a Red then. He is still a Red.
I don’t give a second thought to those who have written off Gerrard, Rodgers and Liverpool. After all, it is not my concern if they prefer to dive into and swim around in delusion. To all those detractors:
Congratulations Stevie! Don’t let anybody ruffle your feathers. Your better form is needed, and at the earliest. Show your true self soon. You Never Walk Alone, Liverpool is with you.
