RAFA: GERRARD IS MY MIDDLE MAN

[San Diego Red]

Rafa Benitez has revealed skipper Steven Gerrard will feature more as a central midfielder this season.

Speaking after his side missed out on the Port of Rotterdam trophy on Sunday night, the Spaniard revealed Gerrard would play less games on the right following the arrival of Yossi Benayoun and the continued good form of Jermaine Pennant.

 

"Yes, normally he will play more games in the middle," said Benitez. "He enjoys playing there and I think he will play a lot more games there this season."

 

The Reds rounded off their pre-season preparations with a fiery 1-1 draw against Feyenoord in the De Kuip Stadium. The result meant Porto claimed the silverware following their 3-0 victory over Shanghai.

 

"The team was alright," Benitez added. "We had some chances and, okay, we could have scored more goals, but in terms of football it was okay. We are ready now for the season. We have competition for each position and now we need to decide after training who will start.

 

"We have confidence. We are prepared, we have a better squad, and hopefully we'll start by winning next week."

 

The Liverpool boss also revealed Harry Kewell was taken off during the second half as precaution.

 

Offal http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N...070805-2056.htm

[Guest Banjo]

He's about as indecisive as a woman in a shoe shop. It was a couple of season ago that we was saying that Gerrard was scoring lots of goals on the right, that it was a good position for him blah blah blah.....

[CarraLegend]

He's about as indecisive as a woman in a shoe shop. It was a couple of season ago that we was saying that Gerrard was scoring lots of goals on the right, that it was a good position for him blah blah blah.....

 

What's "indecisive" about him saying a fact?

[Rahul]

Rafa Benitez has revealed skipper Steven Gerrard will feature more as a central midfielder this season.

Speaking after his side missed out on the Port of Rotterdam trophy on Sunday night, the Spaniard revealed Gerrard would play less games on the right following the arrival of Yossi Benayoun and the continued good form of Jermaine Pennant.

 

"Yes, normally he will play more games in the middle," said Benitez. "He enjoys playing there and I think he will play a lot more games there this season."

 

The Reds rounded off their pre-season preparations with a fiery 1-1 draw against Feyenoord in the De Kuip Stadium. The result meant Porto claimed the silverware following their 3-0 victory over Shanghai.

 

"The team was alright," Benitez added. "We had some chances and, okay, we could have scored more goals, but in terms of football it was okay. We are ready now for the season. We have competition for each position and now we need to decide after training who will start.

 

"We have confidence. We are prepared, we have a better squad, and hopefully we'll start by winning next week."

 

The Liverpool boss also revealed Harry Kewell was taken off during the second half as precaution.

 

Offal http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N...070805-2056.htm

 

 

Thank f*ck for that.

Edited August 5, 2007 by Raz

[Guz]

Bet he'll still start on the right (or left) vs Villa with Momo and Xabi in the middle. Not that I mind to be honest

[New York Red]

I think our starting four in midfield will be Kewell, Xabi, Mascher and Stevie.

[Benitez]

Shame of the offal for their tabloid-eque stories, it's boring enough that the gutter press go on about this without them joining in. Benitez was only answering some dullard's question, what was he going to say, 'narrr I won't be playing him there'. He's gonna say what they want to hear. Gerrard will end up playing both right and central I'm pretty sure, as he has done for a while.

[psl]

Shame of the offal for their tabloid-eque stories, it's boring enough that the gutter press go on about this without them joining in. Benitez was only answering some dullard's question, what was he going to say, 'narrr I won't be playing him there'. He's gonna say what they want to hear. Gerrard will end up playing both right and central I'm pretty sure, as he has done for a while.

 

He's been asked the question a billion times before and always found a completely non-commital response. The fact that he chose to say that Stevie will be playing more in the middle means that's probably the case in my opinion.

[Falconhoof]

He's about as indecisive as a woman in a shoe shop. It was a couple of season ago that we was saying that Gerrard was scoring lots of goals on the right, that it was a good position for him blah blah blah.....

 

A couple of seasons ago we had no other viable alternative on the right. We've now got Benayoun and an improved Pennant. There's more balance in the squad because Rafa has made good decisions.

 

I'm pleased Gerrard will play more in the middle, we'll get more out of him and we'll have much better attacking force with him attacking through the middle supported by decent wide players. We've fallen short in the past when playing Gerrard wide because then we've been stuck with 2 central midfielders who can't attack the box, but thats nothing to do with indecision and everything to do with the players available to balance the side.

[Guest ziggystardust]

I think our starting four in midfield will be Kewell, Xabi, Mascher and Stevie.

 

Same for me in the away and big games of the season. Maybe not the home games.

[RedNik]

Seeing yesterdays game reminded me of how complete a midfielder Gerrard is.

 

I've missed seeing him chase back and tackle the s*** out of the opposition. Needless to say he is better in the middle, and we make use of 2 qualities of his - tackling and mid to long range passing, which we dont nearly see enough when he plays right mid or as a second striker. Of course this does make it harder for him to make those marauding runs, but I suppose he still managed to do that yesterday too.

 

Im not convinced that he will play mainly in the center though. I still think that playing xabi masher and gerrard (on the right) is stronger than say xabi, gerrard and pennant/yossi.

[CaptainXabi]

Im not convinced that he will play mainly in the center though. I still think that playing xabi masher and gerrard (on the right) is stronger than say xabi, gerrard and pennant/yossi.

Maybe it's stronger in terms of controlling the game, but I'm starting to think that we need to give our matchwinners the chance to make a difference. And if that means giving up some control, then so be it. Plus Xabi needs to be more effective and as much as I love him he's not being particularly effective these days. I'm sure he'll be back, but in the meantime, he needs to earn his place.

Edited August 6, 2007 by CaptainXabi

[Stevie H]

Seeing yesterdays game reminded me of how complete a midfielder Gerrard is.

 

I've missed seeing him chase back and tackle the s*** out of the opposition. Needless to say he is better in the middle, and we make use of 2 qualities of his - tackling and mid to long range passing, which we dont nearly see enough when he plays right mid or as a second striker. Of course this does make it harder for him to make those marauding runs, but I suppose he still managed to do that yesterday too.

 

Im not convinced that he will play mainly in the center though. I still think that playing xabi masher and gerrard (on the right) is stronger than say xabi, gerrard and pennant/yossi.

think benayoun and gerrard could form a really effective right side of midfield this season. if benayoun cuts in from that flank then gerrard / finnan can use that space outside.

[RedNik]

think benayoun and gerrard could form a really effective right side of midfield this season. if benayoun cuts in from that flank then gerrard / finnan can use that space outside.

 

We get nothing coming in from behind the line of defense then. Finnan will put in a decent ball, but almost always from deep/ a cut back or turn around. Gerrard will cross from deep, mostly on the counter. We'll basially be relying on Harry to put in quality from behind the defensive line - and he has looked pretty reluctant to run at defenders thus far. Maybe he's being cautious in pre season, and Rafa has told him to just ensure he gets fully fit for the new season before going 100 %, or maybe he's lost a bit of pace. Either way, we'll still have those problems away from home.

[Rory Fitzgerald]

I'm happy with that statement, like others above, now that we have a viable right sided option I think Gerrard should play more through the center

[Walrus]

Formation time:

 

I reckon Rafa is really bulking up the midfield this year

 

----------------------------Torres------------------------------

Babel-Lucas-Alonso-Gerrard-Mascherano-Sissoko-Pennant

-------------Agger-----------------------Carragher------------

----------------------------Reina-------------------------------

Edited August 6, 2007 by Walrus

[Maldini]

He's about as indecisive as a woman in a shoe shop. It was a couple of season ago that we was saying that Gerrard was scoring lots of goals on the right, that it was a good position for him blah blah blah.....

 

 

are you seriously saying Rafa is indecisive? He's the most ruthless man in the game!

[fred milne]

For the first hour or so yesterday, Gerrard seemed to be playing a conservative game, sitting deep with Alonso. It was only in the last 30 minutes that he started to bomb on.

 

If that's the way we are going to play away from home and against the better sides (i.e. two midfielders sitting deep to control the game), I'd rather we start with Mascherano and Alonso in the middle with Gerrard out at RM, then move him into the centre if we need to take a few more risks through the middle late on

[Rimbeux]

For the first hour or so yesterday, Gerrard seemed to be playing a conservative game, sitting deep with Alonso. It was only in the last 30 minutes that he started to bomb on.

 

If that's the way we are going to play away from home and against the better sides (i.e. two midfielders sitting deep to control the game), I'd rather we start with Mascherano and Alonso in the middle with Gerrard out at RM, then move him into the centre if we need to take a few more risks through the middle late on

 

Then you'd have to make a sub to change the team around, rather than have a player with the ability to both hold or bomb on as the game situation demands in the position from the start.

[Guz]

I think our starting four in midfield will be Kewell, Xabi, Mascher and Stevie.

 

Mascherano has hardly played since a full Copa America. Personally think Momo is nailed on to start with Xabi. Hopefully Kewell left and Gerrard right.

[fred milne]

Then you'd have to make a sub to change the team around.

Yes that's a drawback but you'd also have our best RM on the pitch for the first 60 minutes.

[Rimbeux]

Yes that's a drawback but you'd also have our best RM on the pitch for the first 60 minutes.

 

However, he's the best CM and influences the game far more from that position, in the game far more rather than as a player who needs supply out on the right flank.

[fred milne]

However, he's the best CM and influences the game far more from that position, in the game far more rather than as a player who needs supply out on the right flank.

He influences the game more from CM if he's given licence to bomb on.

 

If he doesn't have that licence for the first 60 minutes then we may as well use Alonso and Mascherano in the middle during that time and allow Gerrard to attack from RM.

Edited August 6, 2007 by fred milne

[Rimbeux]

He influences the game more from CM if he's given licence to bomb on.

 

If he doesn't have that licence for the first 60 minutes then we may as well use Alonso and Mascherano in the middle during that time and allow Gerrard to attack from RM.

 

That's a big assumption, that he's not permitted to get forward. You also have to take into account his ability to pass and lead the team with physical presence and tempo. I just think to get the best of Gerrard you have to let him compete in the engine room, you have to play him where he can use his full capability, ie not just as an attacking player.

[fred milne]

That's a big assumption, that he's not permitted to get forward.

I don't see it as that big an assumption based on what we've seen to date in terms of how Rafa sets us up to play away from home and against the better sides.

 

Maybe that approach has to change if we want to close the gap on Utd/Chelsea, but that's a different issue. Personally, I can't see Rafa changing his ways on this point.

Edited August 6, 2007 by fred milne