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Steven Gerrard will be joining LA Galaxy after spending 17 years at LiverpoolIt is indeed unfortunate that this will be the last season that the Premier League will get to witness Steven Gerrard in action. The 34-year-old, arguably one of the greatest midfielders of his generation will bid adieu to the Merseyside Club, and to the Premier League as whole for one last swansong at Major League Soccer (MLS) with LA Galaxy.You know you are talking about a special player when a manager like Jose Mourinho admits that not signing him has been his biggest regret or his rival team’s manager Alex Ferguson saying that he is the man to replace Roy Keane. His heroics in leading Liverpool to a come-from-behind victory over AC Milan in the 2005 will forever be etched in their memories along with a number of inspired performances they have come to witness from the genius over the years.His loyalty has been second to none, having rejected the likes of Chelsea, Real Madrid, Manchester United, Bayern Munich among a lot others to stay with his boyhood club and achieve his dream of captaining the Reds. He has, sometimes single-handedly, won Liverpool games and there is no better big-match player than Steven Gerrard as he is the only player in world football to have scored in the Champions League, UEFA Cup, FA Cup and League Cup finals.He has amassed 182 goals in total, so far, for the club and won seven trophies along with a host of individual awards including winning the UEFA European player and finishing third in the Ballon d’Or in 2005.But football, like life, has to move on. Even though, a player like Gerrard can never be replaced, the club can take a look at some players who could step into Stevie G’s massive shoes. Liverpool, or any other club for that matter, will never find another Steven Gerrard, but there are some players who may be able to replace the legendary skipper in some aspects, if not all.Now, let us take a look at five players who could potentially fill the void left by Gerrard at Liverpool:
#1 Jordan Henderson
From being the player unfairly criticised by Alex Ferguson for his running style to becoming one of the mainstays in the Liverpool starting eleven, Henderson has defied all odds. After sealing a £16-million move from Sunderland, his career at Anfield had a slow start, with the fans not totally convinced with their new signing. There were also rumours that he was about to be offloaded to Fulham in a swap deal for Clint Dempsey.
But that is all in the past now. The 24-year-old, through his sheer will and determination has become one of the most influential players in the Liverpool dressing room, second only to Gerrard. Like Gerrard himself, Henderson has been deployed in a number of positions by manager Brendan Rodgers, but he most prominently features as a central midfielder.
What he lacks in technique, he makes up for it with his tireless running and his marauding runs towards the opposition half. With Rickie Lambert mostly stationary in the opposition half and Mario Balotelli’s lethargic performances, Henderson has been crucial in bombing forward and creating chances.
His two goals and six assists in the Premier League stand testament to that fact. He is also comfortable with the ball at his feet and a good distributor of the ball. He also contributes defensively and is often seen tracking back to help the defenders.
Leaving the technicalities aside, Henderson is also showing signs of becoming a leader at Anfield. His recent bust-up with Diego Costa in the League Cup match at Anfield was a perfect example of the Englishman standing up for his team and refusing to be intimidated. He later said that he would not allow his team to be intimidated by Chelsea and that he would protect the younger players of the squad, having gone through it earlier in his career.
It is now widely known that Henderson will inherit the captain’s armband after Gerrard departs. Even if Gerrard and Henderson may not share exactly the same qualities as a footballer but what they do share is loyalty and a passion to give everything for the team.
#2 Ross Barkley
One of the hottest prospects to come out of England in recent years, Ross Barkley sure is destined for great things. The player from the other Merseyside club, Everton’s style of play has been likened by his manager Roberto Martinez to players like Michael Ballack, Wayne Rooney and Paul Gascoigne. The youngster exploded onto the scene in the 2013-14 season with his man of the match performances against Arsenal and Swansea City. His recent call-up to the England squad for the World Cup was further evidence of his rapid development into a major player.
The 21-year-old is a versatile midfielder having already been deployed as a central midfielder, attacking midfielder, defensive midfielder and as a left sided attacking midfielder. His major traits are his pace and trickery on the ball and he is equally comfortable with both his feet. Another weapon he has been adding to his arsenal are long range shots.
Still only 21, the talented midfielder has years left in him and is reminiscent of a young Steven Gerrard, playing in a free role behind the striker. He is also one of the most fouled players in the League which just goes on to show his precocious talents.
Although this looks like an unlikely move considering the rivalry between the two sides and the increasing interest shown by Manchester City. But in football, you never know. Does anybody need to be reminded of Luis Figo’s move from Barcelona to Real Madrid or Robin van Persie’s move to Manchester United?
#3 Ilkay Gundogan
Prior to his horrific back injury which has sidelined him for more than a year, including missing the World Cup, Gundogan was one of the most coveted midfielders in Europe. He was one of the most important players in Dortmund’s Bundesliga and DFB Pokal double along with their historic run to the finals of the Champions League where they lost against their rivals Bayern. In fact, pre-injury, Gundogan was rated higher than Toni Kroos and was providing a direct threat to Schweinsteiger’s position in the German team and was attracting offers from clubs like Real Madrid.
One of the major advantages that Gundogan has is his versatility. He started off as a number 10 who was shifted to a holding midfield role. He then slowly transformed into a powerhouse house in midfield combining his knowledge of both roles. While having the discipline to maintain his deeper role, he still has the creative instincts and vision to play a killer pass.
He has the tendency to play forward passes much quicker and initiate attacks from behind and such is his tactical nous that when he does venture forward his side are hardly left exposed at the back. There are many players with brilliant technique but lack physicality which can be a major problem in the Premier League. But Gundogan is a perfect combination of technique and physicality and is a workhorse in the middle of the park and is also known for is long range shots.
Add to that, he is also a big game player- stepping up to score a penalty in the 2013 Champions League final against Bayern. He is currently valued at around £20 million and with his contract at Dortmund running out, it would be ideal for the Merseyside Club to snap him up. Regardless of his recent problems, which he is slowly shaking off, it is a risk worth taking.
#4 Radja Nainggolan
He may not be the most celebrated or the most well-known among the players mentioned in this list, but the AS Roma midfield lynchpin has been vital to AS Roma’s title challenge and impressive performances this term. Brought in on loan by Roma in the January transfer window last season from Cagliari, he impressed the Giallorossi enough to sign him on a permanent deal.
With the injury to the highly-rated Kevin Strootman last term, many expected their midfield to suffer but such has been his quality and importance to the team that the Dutchman was hardly missed. The Belgian is primarily a box to box midfielder with an eye for a pass, can hold on to the ball and has a high defensive work-rate.
He has been the unsung hero of the Roma team this term and while the likes of Gervinho, Miralem Pjanic and Francesco Totti hog the limelight, he has quietly gone about his business and provides the base from which the Giallorossi initiate their attacks. His physicality and his defensive prowess often lead people to overlook the offensive aspect of his game. This season he has chipped in with vital goals for Roma and has a wicked right foot to shoot long range goals.
While he may not be a like to like replacement for Gerrard, he does resemble the Englishman in his work ethic and a never say die attitude, driving his team forward. He also seems like an attainable target for the Merseyside side with the player being valued at £25 million but they should snap him up soon as his market value is only going to soar with each passing match.
#5 Paul Pogba
Now this may seem a little far-fetched, given the Juventus starlet’s burgeoning reputation and him being currently linked to all the biggest clubs in the world like Real Madrid, Barcelona, the Manchester clubs and Chelsea. If speculations are anything to go by, he is on course to become the most expensive player in the world.
It is, in all likelihood, a deal which is too expensive for the Merseyside club. But then again, let us not forget that a player like Gerrad is virtually irreplaceable so his legacy deserves that some of the best midfielders of the current generation should at least be taken in the running for his spot.
Making a name for yourself in a midfield boasting the likes of established players such as Andrea Pirlo, Arturo Vidal and Claudio Marchisio just shows the abundance of quality that the youngster possesses. He has already become one of the major players of the Turin side at the age of 21 and in some ways, seems to have outgrown the club.
Long range volleys and shots from outside the box have become his trademark just like Gerrard. He is also good at the air and being a box to box midfielder, he does a good job of shielding the defence which also brings his excellent reading of the game to play.
It all depends on how much Liverpool are willing to spend and upon the player. But replacing one of the best midfielders in football is no easy task and if Liverpool does want a player who can have a similar impact on their team, they need to break the bank because this time they cannot count on a local Merseyside boy to save them.
