I remember after the awful 2-2 draw against Leicester at Anfield on New Year’s Day, when rumours came out that Gerrard would be set to leave Liverpool in the summer. It was confirmed the next day, and I, like millions of fans was shocked to see the news. I think we all expected our captain fantastic to end his career where he began, as a true one club man. To see him decide to leave for LA Galaxy was a surprise- I didn’t see that coming at all. However, unlike many fans, pundits and football writers alike, although sad to see such an iconic figure decide to leave his boyhood club, I always maintained that it was a sensible decision for both Liverpool and Gerrard himself. Especially after he proceeded to score twice to fire Liverpool past a tricky away tie at AFC Wimbledon in the FA Cup 3rd round, this intensified many people’s feelings. How could Liverpool possibly let a man like Steven Gerrard walk away for nothing? Why wasn’t he offered a better contract? All these topical questions were scrutinised in detail, and yet I fully believed that despite the sentimental value of Gerrard at Liverpool, I was not worried about him leaving in a purely football-related sense.
Source: liverpoolfc.com
Now, just over 3 months later, I think my stance has been vindicated. First of all, I don’t believe a word of this conspiracy talk about FSG ‘low balling’ Gerrard with an unappealing contract. After announcing his decision, it was clear to see that the principal reason behind Gerrard leaving in the summer would be to continue playing regular first team football for the remainder of his career. He did also say he would have signed a new deal had he been offered one in the summer- but that was before we saw him struggling quite significantly throughout the entire first half of this season when Liverpool endured a torrid run of form. Gerrard was starting regularly during this run of awful results (although the poor performances weren’t just down to him), and it was obvious that he simply does not have the energy or dynamism to be playing regular Premier League football anymore. He simply could not cope with the relentless pace of the game, which is not surprising for a 34 year old.
Therefore, many put forward the idea that Gerrard ought to be used much more sparingly by Rodgers, rather than in the starting XI every week. After all, he still takes a fantastic free kick, he still has his superb range of passing and of course his nerveless ability to dispatch a spot kick under pressure. Rodgers duly proceeded to start resting Gerrard more often, bringing him off the bench for the final half an hour of games in order to get the most out of his limited energy. However, Gerrard simply did not want this. He made it very clear in numerous interviews that a bit-part role at Liverpool simply did not appeal to him. And that, for me, makes perfect sense.
Source: liverpoolfc.com
Gerrard leaving does not tarnish his Liverpool legacy. He’s the greatest player ever to wear the Red shirt and what he has done for the club is quite astonishing. This is a man who pretty much single-handedly carried his boyhood club to FA Cup and Champions League glory. He’s a true legend in every sense of the word. Thus, he has more than earned the right to move on as he wishes for the final few seasons of his career. He knows, and Rodgers knows, that Gerrard cannot start games regularly anymore. It’s a selfless decision which will benefit Gerrard and Liverpool. Gerrard will be a centre piece of the LA Galaxy team when he departs for the US this summer, a role which he could not fill at Liverpool any longer. Liverpool, meanwhile, will be able to progress in his absence, playing the free flowing, energetic style of football which has worked wonders since the turn of the year.
It’s no coincidence that Liverpool have won every league game when Gerrard hasn’t played this season. It’s also no coincidence that Jordan Henderson has stepped up massively in Gerrard’s absence, remaining unbeaten in 13 games with the armband. Although I don’t like to compare the two, Henderson has shown in recent weeks he’s more than capable of taking the reins from Gerrard, not only as a leader, but as a top class midfielder too. Henderson has assisted 11 goals and scored 5 this season, including 2 stunning strikes from outside the box in the past couple of games. Add this to his all round contribution and work rate and you can see that he has what it takes to assume the responsibility. We should however relish Henderson’s quality as an individual rather than place the unrealistic expectation of him reaching the greats of Gerrard, which is almost impossible. Further forward, the likes of Philippe Coutinho, Raheem Sterling and Adam Lallana are a bundle of skill, pace and creativity who have all flourished in recent months. There is also Emre Can, who despite playing so impressively at centre back, is a box-to-box German powerhouse and has shown swathes of potential since his summer arrival and already looks a class act. A new top quality midfielder in the summer would also be welcome, but the evidence is already clear that a post-Gerrard Liverpool is something to be excited about, rather than something to fear.
Source: liverpoolfc.com
It will be a sad day when Gerrard plays his last game for Liverpool, of course. His presence in the dressing room will be missed greatly, but he will depart as the greatest we’ve ever had the privilege to see in the Liverpool red. So rather than sulk in the doom and gloom of the idea of seeing Steven Gerrard in another club’s shirt, it’s time to enjoy his final few months in England look at the overwhelming positives of the situation. Instead of spending his final few years declining in ability, reduced to a mere squad player at Liverpool, he’ll leave on a high and enjoy a well-deserved few seasons across the Atlantic continuing to play at a level he can manage at this current stage of his career, leaving Brendan Rodgers to lead forward a precociously talented squad of players to a bright and successful future.
Red Regista
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