Steven Gerrard

He wasn't good today, he was trying to force it too much at times knowing we needed a win. I thought he had begun to buy in to BR style by focusing on retaining possession there were opportunities in the Norwich and united games when a long difficult pass was on but instead he just rolled it short to someone and the team retained possession.

Today he lapsed into his old self again looking to play the killer ball but it's understandable, that's his game and he carried the club for years playing like that

Ignore TOOR.

He seems to be convinced that all players who try to attack should lose the ball 30+ times a game.

No, I think that players who penetrate will lose the ball more than players who pass it backwards and sideways most of the time. I said this at the beginning of the season and voiced my concerns that we'd struggle to score goals because we have too few players who are penetrative players. You laughed at this, now you look stupid, again.

TOOR then find a similar player in Gerrards position who has even dared give away the ball 36 times in one game. That is criminal and those stats are 2 short of charlie adams performace at Sunderland.

Further to that, Gerrard has been directly responsible for giving away the ball on 3 specific occasions only to stroll and watch the opposing team score.

10188 - I didn't say Gerrard didn't have a bad game. I'm not sure what your argument is.

Fact is Gerrard gives the ball away too much for a player in the position he plays. He's alllowed to take risks but even then he looses it too much for my liking. It mkes matters worse when he then watches the oposition score. He also doesn't seem to be in sync with the rest of the team really. Shoots when he shouldn't. Doesn't realise sometimes when its important to keep possession. No point in playing a hollywood pass when it takes you so long to line it up and everyone can see what you are going to attempt and prepare for it. I'd bench Stevie for a while once lucas is back to be honest.

Anyone who wants SG out of the starting line up must be mad!
He will play in league games when fit...

Benching Stevie for a while is necessary IMO, not permanently. All great players are benched by their managers at some point in time when it serves the greater purpose!! I've no doubt Stevie will do well but when its not working its always nice to take a step back and assess the situation then come back with a clear mind.

http://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/latest-news/opta-s-premier-league-round-up-5

That is why Gerrard is in the team.

Everyone is raving about Cazorla, and he does look impressive.

Everyone is moaning about Gerrard.

Gerrard has made 501 passes, 21 of them key passes, creating a chance, once every 25 passes.

Cazorla has 501 passes, 26 of them key passes, creating a chances once every 20 passes.

Cazorla has made 60 crosses, Gerrard 54.

Cazorla has 2 goals and 2 assists in 7 games.

Gerrard has 2 goals and 1 assist in 7 games.

They have near identical records this season, yet one player has fans who are raving about him, is receiving plaudits from pundits, and the others own fans are claiming he is past it and needs dropping.

You couldn't make it up.

Exactly R1. The problem is, a lot of young fans have been sucked in to believing we're playing like Barcelona and thus, we can't do long passes, crosses or head the ball, nor change our play when it isn't working. Because Stevie is the all action guy, the one trying to make something and boy does he try, one of probably two penetrative players in the team yesterday, he's scapegoated when we don't win.

The one who could actually produce the goal gets slated, the one's who pass it sideways and backwards, who won't produce goals or anything other than high percentage pass success rate get lauded.

I think we are all in agreement that Gerrard is not at the peak of his ability but he's still one of our best players, without a doubt. Half of Gerrard at his peak, is a very good player still and he hasn't declined that far.