International week gives you time to look back over the last few months and take stock of the season so far. Since December 1st (Rodgers official 6 months mark since being in charge) Liverpool’s form has been very good. The run of good results have coincided with Steven Gerrard’s best form over the last 3-4 years.
It was obvious to see that it took Gerrard time to adapt to the new style of play that Rodgers likes. Everybody has heard the saying, “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks”. This statement looked very accurate in the first few months of the season. Gerrard likes to play at 100 mph, getting the ball into the opposition half as soon as possible after regaining possession. Rodgers however, likes to build up possession and not to needlessly loose the ball.
From watching the games back from the start of the season, that Gerrard was finding it hard to influence the game as much as he wanted to.
I personally think it started to click in the game against Man Utd at home. Gerrard picked the ball up in his own half, looked up and was about to ping a 40-yard pass to the wing. It was a tricky effort and the chances of it coming off were slim to non. Normally Gerrard would have gone the Hollywood route, however he stopped, turned and passed the ball to the full back. Thus keeping possession of the ball and working another angle.
You can also argue that since Rodgers took over, he has had to change his methods. You don’t see Liverpool playing the same style you saw at Swansea last season. Like all good coaches do, he has had to change it to accommodate to what players he has at his disposal. The Wigan game was a very good example, the goals coming off very good counter attacks.
It seems as though it is a bit of Gerrard getting use to Brendan’s style of play, and Rodgers adapting his methods to suit Gerrard. What ever is going on behind the scenes though, it is working. Our form and performances since those first five tricky matches have been very good.
What a lot of fans don’t realise though is Steven Gerrard’s form has peaked when Henderson was in the team. Having him in there doing Gerrard’s legwork for him has meant that Gerrard has less coverage to do around the pitch.
With Couthinho and Sturridge coming in it is clear that Rodgers wants them two, Suarez and an out and out winger in the team as well. There was no place for Henderson and he was on the bench. Against Southampton we were overran in midfield. There was no extra man in midfield helping out like Henderson had been doing. It wasn’t just the Southampton game; against Spurs it was the same until Allen came on in the second half.
In an ideal world we can find a player that has the skill and vision of Gerrard and the legs of Henderson. If only we could morph those players in to one.
Knowing our luck though we would get the legs of Gerrard and the scoring talent of Henderson! I am sure Rodgers and the scouting team have a plan of what eventually to do with Gerrard. He is 33 this year and in Rodgers preferred style of play; you can’t see how Gerrard could fit in to that long term.
In my opinion, the best thing for all parties would be for Steven Gerrard to get injured. Now before you start dismissing that notion completely and start tweeting me abuse, stop for a minute and read on to my explanation.
Although injured would still be in and around the club giving advice and fulfilling his captains duties. His presence would still be felt, but on the pitch we wouldn’t have to be drafting players in just to cover Gerrard’s lack of stamina. With Gerrard fit to play at the moment, there is an insistence that he has to play. Rodgers clearly isn’t experienced enough to drop a club legend and captain. By being injured, it takes away this problem.
Without a shadow of doubt, this summer is massive. Everything has to go perfect if Liverpool is going to stand any chance of competing for Champions League football.
The Steven Gerrard situation has to be sorted, and is probably as important as keeping Luis Suarez and signing the right players.
Who knows what is going to happen between now and August 2013, all we can do is enjoy the football and cheer on the team to getting the last remaining Europa League spot.
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