The headline of this article will read “Liverpool vs Crystal Palace: Preview” but let’s just get it out in the open from the start, it’s almost certainly Steven Gerrard’s last game at Anfield as a Liverpool player and that’s what this weekend is all about.
Liverpool Football Club have had a great deal of iconic players and superstars in the ranks over the years and even some local heroes but none quite like Steven Gerrard.
Gerrard made his debut for Liverpool, at Anfield, in 1998 and I was three years of age. On Saturday, our captain will step out of the tunnel at Anfield for the last time as a Liverpool player. I am now twenty years of age.
Like many Liverpool fans and many reading this article, I have grown up with Steven Gerrard. He has been at the heart of this club for as long as I can remember.
When our club has needed a hero, he has been there. Champions League final, 2005, Gerrard initiated what is arguably the most famous comeback in world football. FA Cup final, 2006, Liverpool were down 3-2 against West Ham and in the 90th minute, our captain hit a sublime strike from 30+ yards which rocketed into the back of the net. Premier League, 2008/09 season, Gerrard scored 16 league goals in what would be the season that Liverpool would go closer to the league title than in over two decades. Just to name a few, I could go on for quite a while…
I doubt that I will see another player pull on the famous red shirt quite like Steven Gerrard. It’s not just because he’s world class, it’s not just because he has captained both club and country, it’s not because he has stayed loyal to us for almost two decades, it’s not just because he inspired so many Liverpool wins, it’s not just because he is a Liverpool fan and it’s not just because he’s a Scouser. It’s all of those things.
Without doubt, Gerrard, the Liverpool fans and maybe even some of the opposition will want Liverpool to win this weekend and send Stevie G out of Anfield on a high.
Speaking of the game, Liverpool have only lost one of their previous 14 home league games against Crystal Palace but were beaten 3-1 at Selhurst Park earlier in the season. A win for Liverpool would secure a place a Europe next season, albeit in the Europa League.
Palace are still in with a slim chance of finishing in the top half of the table if they win their final two games, but are also looking to avoid a fifth successive defeat.
Gerrard will be given a guard of honour and is likely to start alongside Jordan Henderson in midfield as manager Brendan Rodgers expects to have the same squad which drew at Chelsea last weekend.
Source: liverpoofc.com
After being side-lined by a hamstring injury for five weeks, Mamadou Sakho trained this week, as did Mario Balotelli. Palace have are without an injured senior player and academy winger Sullay Kaikai could be among several youngsters to make the trip to Merseyside.
I can see Liverpool lining up very similarly to the way they did against Chelsea. To jog your memory, Liverpool were: Mignolet; Johnson, Lovren, Skrtel, Can; Gerrard, Coutinho, Henderson, Lallana; Sterling and Lambert.
Only minor changes for me this weekend. Of course, I expect Mignolet to keep his place with Skrtel ahead of him. Now I’m too sure who will join Martin in defence but I’d hope to see Sakho partner him in a back four.
Contrary to what Liverpool fans will want I also think Rodgers will maintain the current fullbacks in Emre, I can play in every position, Can and Glen Johnson. I would like to see Ryan McLauglin being used but I think that will have to wait for next season, that’s maybe not the same story for Jerome Sinclair though who I imagine will keep his spot on the bench and may be introduced in the second half.
There is absolutely no doubt, Steven Gerrard will start in Liverpool’s midfield and I expect him to be accompanied by Jordan Henderson, Jordan being the more advanced of the two.
I anticipate that Phil Coutinho will maintain his role in the centre of the field, sitting ahead of the midfield duo of Stevie and Hendo.
Along the flanks I think Liverpool will play Raheem Sterling and Jordon Ibe. Liverpool will need pace against Palace’s fullbacks and those two offer that a lot more than Adam Lallana.
The one constant umm/ahh moment of Liverpool’s season, who will play upfront? Well, I think, considering how late in the season we are it doesn’t really matter. I’d like to see Mario Balotelli start and think there’s a good chance of that being the case but I think Rodgers will opt for Rickie Lambert.
That being said, it wouldn’t shock me if Sterling were to play upfront and Rodgers employed Lallana to play on one of the flanks with Ibe occupying the other.
So, with all that being said, here is exactly how I think Liverpool will line-up this weekend:
It’s not imperative that Liverpool win for the sake of final league standings this weekend, some fans may be suggesting Liverpool thrash Palace 6-0 and Arsenal smash United 4-0, leaving us with a chance on the final day. Forget it.
It is, though, imperative that Liverpool win for Steven Gerrard. He needs to leave Anfield on a high. We weren’t able to get the Premier League title last season, we weren’t able to get the FA Cup this season but, at the very least, our hero deserves to go out with a win.
It’s going to be emotional. Sami Hyypia’s final game was hard, Jamie Carragher’s final game was hard but if you’re anything like me this weekend will be the hardest to watch yet. Gerrard may cry, I may cry, many at Anfield may cry and thousands of people watching at home may cry.
The end of an era.
Steven Gerrard, my hero.
There are no words to describe how amazing it has been to watch you go from the local lad living the dream to a footballing legend, adored by millions around the world, cementing your place in the Anfield Hall of Fame.
Thank you for everything.
Steven Carson
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