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Steve Gerrard

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Flight

Flight

Posted
Posted

Decent article this, that I mostly agree with.

 

I know about Raul shaking his hand on the way off, but I hadn't heard about the Real players applauding him back into our dressing room. Anyone heard about this ?

 

 

 

 

 

Steven Gerrard Is Our Captain"

 

Steven Gerrard is our Captain

Steven Gerrard is a red

Steven Gerrard plays for Liverpool

A scouser born and bred...

 

As myself and the other travelling Liverpool fans sang this ditty in admiration of our captain on Saturday afternoon, he turned around and applauded as he strolled in direction of the tunnel, head held high, chest puffed out and leading his men from the battlefield triumphant.

 

Before the game, he gathered his troops on the edge of the centre circle; a rallying cry from the leader to his obedient soldiers. They huddled together and hung on his every word, before breaking away and pondering the lyrics of the mans battle cry. Steven Gerrard approached Lucas and Mascherano, called them together and gave them another few seconds of inspiration and encouragement; clenching his fists and fuelling the fire within. He took it upon himself to go around each and every player, ensuring they were as fired up for this game as he was.

 

"Steven Gerrard is our captain". How very apt.

 

I have been one of his biggest critics over the past few years; not because of his ability as a footballer, as that has never been in doubt, but for his leadership qualities and suitability to the role of captain of Liverpool Football Club. I have not been alone in those thoughts, with many declaring their vision of Jamie Carragher donning the armband being an ideal. Let the vocal leader on the pitch wear that black band around his arm and drive the team when required. We just didn't see those qualities from Gerrard. For me, he just didn't perform and inspire in games where he was needed most. He "went missing" in games when players all around were looking for leadership.

 

The greatest example of this for me was a the final group game of the 2004/05 European Cup campaign, when Olympiakos came to Anfield. It may seem strange to some for me to highlight this game as an example of a weakness in Gerrard's armour, but watch the game back again and I think you'll agree with me. People will always remember his magnificent strike that won the game, the strike that put us 3-1 up and sent us through to the knockout phase of the competition. It was typical Gerrard; popping up with a wonder strike to drag the side from the brink of failure. But what about the previous 80 minutes or so?

 

We trailed 1-0 at half time and were never in the game. Our captain was hiding and just didn't look interested. "I don't want to wake up tomorrow morning in the UEFA Cup" he stated before the game, but was doing anything but looking true to his word. I was seething with his performance that night. The lesser players were looking for inspiration and leadership, but it was nowhere to be seen. It took the introduction of two amateurs in Neil Mellor and Florent Sinama Pongolle to change the game that night. Their infectious desire, energy and eagerness turned the game around and dragged us back into it. 0-1 became 1-1. 1-1 became 2-1 and we were back in with a shout. Gerrard suddenly became interested again. The rest is history.

 

Some may deem that assessment unfair, and accuse me of forgetting all the wonderful moments that man has given to us. Believe me, that assessment could not be further from the truth. But I just didn't see him as captain material. The Chelsea sagas just strengthened that view. This season however, he has turned everything around and has become everything you would want from a captain.

 

His actions on Saturday, before and during the game, finally confirmed that we have a real leader of men as the captain of our side. There are no more doubts in my mind that he is the real deal, and the one player that everyone else in the squad looks up to. He leads them. He is their General.

 

He is fast approaching the peak years of his career, and has matured into one of the best players in the world; maybe even the best player in the world if you listen to Zidane; and he is far more qualified to judge than I. The likes of Messi and Ronaldo grab the headlines, but is Steven Gerrard the best player on his planet? He seems to think so, and who am I to argue? He certainly eclipsed the over rated Ronaldo on Saturday afternoon.

 

I've argued for several years, and wrote a previous article on the issue, that Steven Gerrard is not a central midfielder. We constantly hear from the so called experts that he needs to play in the middle of the park in a 4-4-2 to be seen as his best. "Play him in his best position" they cry. Maybe some of them may eventually begin to realise that he is now playing in his best position if they've watched the games again Real Madrid and Manchester United this week? Playing in the hole with the world class Fernando Torres in front, and the two central midfield players behind, allowing him freedom to roam and create havoc. Playing in central midfield he has the shackles on. Playing behind the front man he is a menace, a constant attacking threat. I think the past week proves that beyond all doubt.

 

The legend that his Raul ran over and shook his hand as he left the field on Tuesday night. At the end of the game, the entire Real Madrid side stood in the tunnel and applauded him back into the dressing room. If that is not a sign of great respect then what is? Being applauded like that by a Real Madrid side highlights more than anything the regard in which he is held throughout world football; the ultimate honour.

 

I don't think we appreciate just how good the man is. We can't see the wood for the trees at times, and will only really appreciate how special he is when he's gone.

 

Not only has he bloomed in his new role and become the world class player he's always promised to be, he's also grown into his role as a leader.

 

"Steven Gerrard is our captain"

 

You better believe it!

Molby

Molby

Posted
Posted

did Real do that?

 

ffs that needs finding out - seems utterly improbable but if they did then the whole way we see the world (our weltanschaung) must change

Earl Hafler

Earl Hafler

Posted
Posted
Don't agree about him being anonymous for 80 minutes in the Olympiakos game.

 

He was pretty s*** until Sinama-Pongolle came on and changed the game. He even lashed out at one of their players and could have been sent off.

 

It's something that's always been there - he's needed motivating. He's not a Souness or a Keane, who would shout at others to perform better even though they may have been having an off day. Gerrard has mostly done his leading by example, not by fear. He's become more vocal recently but i think Gerrard being withdrawn has definitely been a problem in the past and Olympiakos is probably the best example.

Until the subs changed the game, he was in his shell.

 

A few weeks later and he was the opposite and played one of the best 45 minutes of football you're likely to see.

Mike

Mike

Posted
Posted

this is a nonsense. so he didn't have a great game against olympiakos? - he still scored one of the most iconic goals of all times - that is greatness. guess what, maradonna was sometimes s***.

apropos of nothing which starts from the false premise that truly great players play truly great football 100% of the time. for the record, as a youth i saw dalglish do f*** all for 90 minutes at times.

Raj

Raj

Posted
Posted

Thats a nice read and I am glad that we have other captains too

Reina, Carra, Masch and Kuyt have great leadershiot too

Earl Hafler

Earl Hafler

Posted
Posted
this is a nonsense. so he didn't have a great game against olympiakos? - he still scored one of the most iconic goals of all times - that is greatness. guess what, maradonna was sometimes s***.

apropos of nothing which starts from the false premise that truly great players play truly great football 100% of the time. for the record, as a youth i saw dalglish do f*** all for 90 minutes at times.

 

 

Did anyone say otherwise ? No.

 

Back in yer box, Bender.

JonShar

JonShar

Posted
Posted
this is a nonsense. so he didn't have a great game against olympiakos? - he still scored one of the most iconic goals of all times - that is greatness. guess what, maradonna was sometimes s***.

apropos of nothing which starts from the false premise that truly great players play truly great football 100% of the time. for the record, as a youth i saw dalglish do f*** all for 90 minutes at times.

 

Totally agree with that mate, desire and willpower doesn't always = 90 minutes of heroism.

Guest keygone

Guest keygone

Posted
Posted
Tribute to Gerrard now on LFCTV

 

 

Is he dead?

Redkop

Redkop

Posted
Posted
Is he dead?

 

Christ, some people are dead from the neck up rolleyes.gif

 

A tribute is something given or done as an expression of esteem or an acknowledgment of gratitude, respect, or admiration....

Boca

Boca

Posted
Posted (edited)

Some great quotes Here

 

'My relationship with Rafa has got stronger and stronger as time's gone by,' he said.

 

 

'Maybe when I was a bit younger I was a bit selfish, thinking of myself a bit too much when he was playing me out of position. I should have maybe taken a deep breath and realised it was for the team.

 

 

'When Rafa first came I spent a couple of years on the right. I had a little moan and complained that I was there every week.

 

 

'But he said to me that when he got strong enough players to play out wide, he wanted me in a central position attacking. He felt that was my best position. But until then I had to sacrifice myself on the right.'

 

 

And the lack of emotion? 'Sometimes he shows it,' said Gerrard. 'But he's a top manager and he'll always be thinking of the next game. He'll be seeing the goals go in against Aston Villa but be thinking of Fulham. He's a winner. He's good.'

 

 

So much so that Gerrard even agrees with Benitez's sometimes controversial rotation policy. 'The reason we are looking so fresh and powerful at the moment is because the manager changes it around at the right time and rests players at the right time,' he said.

 

 

'When you're selfish, particularly when you're younger, you want to play every game. But when you've got that little bit more experience you realise it is a very long season.

 

 

'Sometimes you have to accept getting taken off or rested so you're reaching your peak at the right stage of the season.

 

'We've got two massive Champions League games coming up against Chelsea and every league game is like a cup final. So it's important that the players are fresh and ready.'

 

It's the role as supporting striker to Fernando Torres that excites Gerrard most, however. That convinces him Anfield is the only place to be. 'I do want to be successful but I'm really happy at the club at the moment, playing in a top team, with world-class players under a manager with whom I believe we can be successful,' he said.'I've got two years left on my contract and if there was a chance to extend that, I'm sure I'd do it. 'I've never been happier than I am at the moment throughout my career. Things on the pitch could not be better. I'm playing in my best position and I think you're seeing the best of me.

 

 

'There's a good feeling around at the moment but it's important not to get carried away. Manchester United are still favourites.

 

'If they win their game in hand they're four points ahead, which is a decent lead at this stage of the season. But confidence is high, the momentum is with us. We have to focus on what we're doing and, if they have another slip-up, we have to capitalise on it

Edited by Boca
Swipe

Swipe

Posted
Posted (edited)

Is there now any doubt how good a captain Stevie is?

 

Great to read that from him. Wonder if Keys and Redknapp will take it on board?

 

Although, Redknapp was taking about Stevie's position the other week like it was a new one, so maybe not!

 

Good Martin Samuel article here. I think he overplays how put out Stevie is when he has to play somewhere else, but it's nice to see Dirk Kuyt getting some recognition for a fantastic season

 

Clicky

Edited by Swipe

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