Liverpool Boys
Congrats on the good end of season run...but may I ask...what is your take with the success of the team without Gerrard on the field.
I find alyuh looking good without him...do you think with him in the squad this turnaround would have happened?
Absolutely... and without a doubt. First of all, let's not forget that he was part of the turn-around. He's been in and out of the lineup due to injury, but we started the turnaround (as it were) when we beat ManU at Anfield. We tend to focus on Gerrard's offensive forays, but he's a tremendously calming presence in midfield. Not only does he track back relentlessly, but he's always available (as Xabi was) as a release valve when teammates are put under pressure. Then you consider the threat he poses as a scorer and passer whenever the ball is at his feet and it further underscores the point.
Now Spearing has done a fabulous job in his absence on the defensive end. He and Lucas (in particular) have lifted their games beyond what any fan (and possibly the coaching staff) could have imagined. They have been the keys to why teenagers like Flanagan and Robinson could step into the starting lineup and not be exposed. You'd also have to credit Carra and Skrtel for helping the youths as well from their central defense positions. I remember in the Arsenal game how many times Skrtel would be almost on Flanagan's left shoulder anytime Walcott got the ball down the right side. Back to midfield, Meireles has reigned in his forays into the offensive box in order to lay back and provide cover and support in the middle... and then here at the death Maxi seems to have found his stroke, allowing for us to make that final push for 5th place (and Europa qualification).
The common thread in all of this is that the players have all individually upped their games, be it out of necessity, desperation or newfound belief... that bodes well for us in future because now the squad realizes how well they're capable of playing. Unless one is advancing the argument that the presence of Gerrard would have been a destabilizing influence or that team chemistry would have been affected... then it only stands to reason that for all their contributions in the middle, Gerrard was infinitely better at the things I credit Spearing, Meireles and Lucas for This means that his presence would have freed them up to focus more on their individual responsibilities, to go along with all of the other positives he himself would bring. In my mind it's a no-brainer that we would have been better... but long-term, there's tremendous growth to be had from it.