Liverpool’s Most Important Summer Addition: Steven Gerrard
Imagine this scenario:
You have a very good right-sided player, a great defensive midfielder and another good CM. You are offered the chance to swap your good right-sided player for the best CM in the world, at no cost. Accepting the deal means that one of your good central midfielders will go to the bench and you’ll have to play your back up on the right who isn’t quite as good as the player you’re swapping. What do you do? You jump at the chance, knowing that the jump from very good to world-class is much bigger than the fall of from very good to decent.
That’s exactly what Liverpool did this summer when they moved Steven Gerrard back to the inside. Gerrard was a very good player on the right for Liverpool, but he’s not quick enough, doesn’t provide enough width and doesn’t beat players one on one enough to be a great right-sided player. He is, however, a great central midfielder.
Now, I don’t want this to devolve into another debate about whether Gerrard is truly world class, or whether Gerrard is better than Lampard, or how Gerrard isn’t fit to carry Darren Fletcher’s jock strap, or whatever else you want to argue. Suffice it to say, I think Gerrard is world class, and despite my allegiance to Liverpool, I don’t think that’s an unfounded opinion. In fact, I think Stevie-G is the best CM in the world, except for perhaps Michael Essien. (Obviously, I am considering Kaka a forward because he is clearly better than either.)
Think about this. Let’s say that Spurs swapped Berbatov (Very, very good) for Kaka (World Class) this summer. And let’s also say, for the sake of argument, that they weren’t allowed to play Kaka in midfield where they really need him and had to use him as a forward. That would mean Keane, their second or third best player, would have to go to the bench because the two couldn’t play together. Imagine how transformed the team would be anyway. Wouldn’t that be the only thing anyone would be talking about? And wouldn’t Spurs have been preseason favorites to finish fourth—at least? And I doubt that they would be in the bottom part of the table after five games either.
This isn’t to say that I think Liverpool’s Captain Fantastic is as good as Kaka, so the example may be slightly exaggerated. But I do think Berbatov the forward is better than Gerrard the right-sided player, and I think the difference between Berbatov and Kaka is about the same as the difference between Gerrard on the right and Gerrard in the center, if you can believe it.
I know Gerrard was great on the right two years ago, but he certainly wasn’t last year, and he’ll always be better in the center, as just about everyone knows. Did you see how incredible he was against Chelsea, even playing with a broken toe? He was clearly the best player on the pitch. And I expect I’ll be able to say that about him in a lot of time this year.
So was the most important acquisition of the transfer window Spanish starlet Fernando Torres? Or “Next World Superstar” Ryan Babel? Or was it Florent Malouda or Alex? Or Thierry Henry or Owen Hargreaves? Anderson or Nani? Maybe the tastefully named Dudu? Nope. It was Liverpool adding the world’s best central midfielder. And that is why Stevie-G finally has a real chance to be kissing his (and Liverpool’s) first Premier League trophy at the end of the season.
1st Premier League, 19th league trophy - just clarifying you guys jump all over…
nearly totally agree however masherano has been a big plus
and essien as good as gerard please i feel the only way you can make liverpool fc better is not in midfield but in defence
and second striker however by putting more skill in there you could lose the sheer effort of finnan or kuyt or arbeloa and at centre back jaime is 29 and he is becoming the elder statesman who do you replace him with i suggest a youngster and groom him but as always RAFA knows best, the future is red
the future is liverpool fc GET a GRIP ON YOURSELF AND BACK RAFAS JUDGEMENT REMEMBER ISTANBUL WHO WOULD HAVE WON WITH THAT TEAM SIR TAGGART ,MAUREEN O OR ARSE NO WAY EXACTLY
Bit of a strange article. I agree in the main but there are a couple of strange comments. For all the negatives of playing Gerrard on the left, I certainly wouldn’t consider a lack of pace one of them. He’s just about as quick as they come. Also the way you state that Kaka is clearly better then Gerrard. Yeah Kaka had a great season last year and he is one of the worlds best players, but so is Gerrard. There are a few world class players knocking about and there isn’t much between any of them, (Messi, Cech, Gerrard, Kaka, Ronaldinho, Drogba and a few others). I don’t think we have a Pele/Maradona/Zidane situation in world football where one player is clearly miles ahead of the rest. I don’t think we’ll have that again for some time.
TBH, I think kaka is miles ahead of all other players. He has proved his fantastic ability on all stages
You are right there isn’t a big difference between the great players now adays but i still reckon kaka is the best in the world. He is definately not miles infront of him when they played (england vs Brazil) and gerrard was put in a defensive role (big suprise) he nightmared kaka and ronaldinho so you can see he is close.
Very good article another reason to get excited i do think essien is the second best CM in the world behind Gerrard but i think Gerrard is far better.
Dam i hate international breaks
Interesting article. However I think your attacking signings have made more of a difference than moving Gerrard to the middle. While Stevie is one of the most talented players in the world in terms of all round ability, his defensive positioning and passing (IMO the two most important attributes for a cm) still arent up to the same level of the better CMs. I think the difference is that generally players are more involved when theyre in the middle than when theyre on the wings, as opposed to gerrard being more suited to the CM position……. which he isnt.
Gerrard would beat essien and/or Kaka in a sprint, he is deceptively fast… interesting article tho, I can see where your coming from, in my mind, gerrard is the most complete player on the planet… i dont think thats debatable.
Kaka is world class without doubt, but the best way to view this is measured in terms of the influence a player has on any given team.
I think that Kaka is a luxury any team would want but Gerrard would have far more impact and influence on any team in the world good or bad.
Different players but without doubt Gerrard is the main man.
When I said Gerrard wasn’t quick, I didn’t mean he couldn’t win a sprint. I just meant he doesn’t have the kind of quickness with his ball skills to beat players the way the great wingers do.
Kaka is better than Gerrard, as MDH says Gerrard doesn’t pass like the great CMs do. But his sheer determination certainly overcomes what he lacks in passing ability. When he’s on the right, he gets ignored and Alonso and Masch/Sissoko refuse to come forward, which leaves Pool without enough people in the box. When he’s in the center, he controls the game.
Anyone see the Russia game? You talk about Gerrard being able to influence any team…he certainly doesnt do it for england
Did anyone not see Gerrard embarass Kaka in the recent England Brazil game?!? Or dominate him in the CL?!? Kaka is a different type of player to Gerrard….. you’d hardly call Kaka an all action, swashbuckling player like Stevie G……. Stevie G is the most complete player in world football. Hes scored in major games and major cup finals, inspired a weaker and demoralised Liverpool to the greatest comeback in CL history, scores last minute goals that save major games, inside the box, headers and then the blockbusters! Add to the fact his wide passing and accuracy to pick out a man plus his inspirational leadership abilities and he is streets ahead in the midfield stakes in world football!! Kaka, Ronaldinho and Messi are brilliant and do all the nice flicks and score some lovely goals but they don’t have the same ability (outside of technical) that Stevie G has to change a game and inspire team mates.
For the record Stevie G was World Player of the Year in 2005…. so the argument is settled!
For England he needs a settled midfield!! The only player hes played with is Joe Cole… you need Becks and Hargreaves and then see Gerrard fly!! With Lampard hes always afraid of going to far forward and exposing the back 4!!
To the MDH leadership comment. While he hasn’t shown very much leadership, he has been gracious enough to step down and let Terry be the captain. To the quickness comment, he seems to have the speed coming back and making tackles, also if you’ve watched interviews with players about who’s the fastest in the squad his name constantly pops up. Also, he has been an immense creative spark in our midfield, his pass to Torres against Chelsea was sublime, but I could sight instances forever, I just simply disagree.
i though Gerrard played super for England he drove forward sent great passes through the defenders now if he could just score that would shut all his critic up
all up for the Gerrard and Barry partnership?
Why don’t you guys compare Gerrard with Essien or Vierra?
By comparing him to Kaka and then showing he outclassed Kaka, you’re actually - perhaps un-intentionally trying to state that he’s the best on this planet.
Eg.
“…gerrard was put in a defensive role (big suprise) he nightmared kaka and ronaldinho so you can see he is close.” AND
“Did anyone not see Gerrard embarass Kaka in the recent England Brazil game?!?”
The Pool/United game, Fletcher nightmared and emarrased Gerrard. Does that mean he is close to or better than Gerrard?
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“…scores last minute goals that save major games, inside the box, headers and then the blockbusters! Add to the fact his wide passing and accuracy to pick out a man plus his inspirational leadership abilities…”
AND if this isn’t enough, you can always count on him to ‘take a dive for the team’.
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[Anthony]
“For the record Stevie G was World Player of the Year in 2005″
As far as I know, it was Ronaldinho.
Sean, what I meant was that he doesnt seem to play very well for England (where he doesnt have Xabi Alonso around to do his job for him). For all his strengths he gives the ball away far too much, which everyone turns a blind eye to, including shockingly the BBC. Everyone I was with yesterday said he was our worst midfielder yesterday, it was Barry who was making things happen.
I knew it would only be so long before all the stupid comments started croping up. I cant believe the way knowledgable people kid themselves this guy is better than people like Kaka or Ronaldinho, just because he runs more to compensate for how much he gives the ball away. The one time Gerrard and Kaka were paired up one on one (the first half in the 2005 CL) Kaka dominated gerrard, just like Vieira, Keane and even Maniche regularly have in the past. Once Gerrards up against teams and midfielders who he cant dominate physically hes usually not very good.
The Liverpool fans who belittle their own Manager and players (Hamman, Alonso, Hypia, Garcia) and completely overlook some of the fundamental aspects of the game just to prove their point are pathetic. Hes not the best, get over it.
Stevie G without a doubt is the best Central Midfielder in the world. First and foremost, he is the best passer in the premiership. He produces killer balls week in week out. I was at the england game last night, and although gerrard wasnt at his best, he still showed his class with some great balls to owen and wright-phillips. How can you sit there and compare Essien to gerrard. What has essien done?? When Viera and Keane dominated gerrard he was 22. Now look hes 26 and grown up from those games. He can shoot, tackle, run with the ball, pass. All round best player in the world.
STEVIE G EVERYTIME
Fletcher??? Karl are you serious Gerrard was marking Ronaldo on the left and when he shifted to the right played up the wing fletcher barely even saw Gerrard wtf
I don’t see whats wrong with comparing Gerrard to Kaka apart from Gerrard having proven himself more. The fact is Gerrard has far more haters than kaka and will always be critisized.
You United fans say Ronaldo is in the top 20 players in the world but we don’t diss that he is alright but i will let you have your view?
Karl why do you always complain about us liking Gerrard of course we are going to talk about him its a Gerrard Article?
Karl wasn’t that Alonso that Fletcher humbled?
I think it has to do obsessing about Gerrard the way one obsesses about that girl who dumped you in college. It’s unhealthy, and it holds you back from fulfilling your potential (in this case, it’s holding Liverpool back).
Hey Karl, why are you showing them the right path?
Or is this reverse psychology, get them to love Stevie G even more so they crash and burn?
clever man…
You know, you guys are right. I am wrong. I’ve been living in self-denail all this time. Gerrard is the best footballer in the universe (and the most cleverest as well).
He is the most complete CM in the world. He is the best Right-winger and Left-winger at liverpool (in other words, Europe). Should he decide to play defence, I’m sure he will end up being the best there, just as we all know he would become the best striker should stupid Rafa get some common-sense and decide to play him there.
Now, all Liverpool need to win the league is to get 10 more of him during the January transfer window.
Why are Man U fan’s so surprised that we like talking about Stevie G! It should be no surprise as without him we wouldn’t have one either the Champions League or FA Cup finals. He’s also one of the best midfielders in the world imo.
That said Karl does have a point that i agreed with. A team is made up of 11 players and Gerrard is not the only essential person in the team. After all we won the last three games without him! If any thing the most important summer addition is probably the continued presence of Rafa