Are we a ONE-man team?

Redz SG

Interesting topic fm TNP:-

LIVERPOOL captain Steven Gerrard is undoubtedly one of the most influential footballers in the English game.

And at Vicarage Road, that reputation was enhanced when he scored against Watford to seal Liverpool's place in the final of the Carling Cup.

'He's a key player for us,' the manager said. 'When he plays, he plays well and the team does well.'

Now, is that really how it is? We say it's this and that.

Let's wind back the clock. Back to September when Gerrard broke a bone in his foot. It was a serious injury and it put him out until November.

However, here's food for thought. As reported by PA Sport, it was during the time when he was hobbling around that Liverpool had one of their better spells of the season.

In fact, Liverpool's record this season clearly shows Benitez's men doing better when Gerrard was sidelined - if average points per game can be used as a yardstick.

So, what gives?

Is Gerrard truly Liverpool's talisman and liberator - the guy who can break the shackles which have kept them from challenging Chelsea, Arsenal and United?

Or is he, when at the helm, steering the ship off course?

Hmmm....food for thot?!

kops21 SG

Soccer is a team event, not about individual. No one is indispensable.

If Gerrad goes, he goes. We will Never Walk Alone. Cool

Poolman SG

It's a pure individual opinion .

Somehow abit of contradicting and irony......

I can only give my opinion after the next five years ..... Benitez promises , the delivery in the next five yrs !

the Bear SG

i think he's not the one steering the ship off course...

i think he's the one forcing the ship back on course.. or trying his damnest to..

Patrik SG

Bring Ronaldinho to Anfield if we want to be a one man team...LOL
I think that why we lost more matches when gerrard played is because with him ard,the other players started slacking cos they believe Gerrard will win the match for them.They depended too much on him.

Medicated Oil SG

That is mentality of most of the players.

Especially in the midfield section.

There is still a slacker mentality in the Liverpool to play good or lousy when they like it.

Steven Gerrard is often the scapegoat for lousy performance as his contribution is evident for every match.

So, if he have a off day, the rest of the players will follow suit and not getting the blame.

Although we may purchase the best and proven striker in the world in Nando, if the rest of the team is not hungry and feeding past glories, Liverpool will be struggling for 4th placing every season.

It is like having the re-run of GH era, with the Spanish flavour.

Liverpool still need a English Hard core midfield to distribute the play.

Drop Garcia for once.

Redz SG

As far as tis season is concerned, the oni player I miss is Xabi Alonso! There's no doubt he played a major part during Stevie's absence.

And when both Alonso and Stevie are in the team, the responsibility is shared such tat when one is off, the other can still keep the team going.

Now w/out Alonso, we seem to rely too much on Stevie - players tend to pass the ball to him. So once he's not in-the-mood, we really look lost! Sad

But like kops21 said - football is a team game, we simply cannot rely on 1 or 2 players. I really hope Beni is aware of it and to correct the mentality of the team sooner rather than later!

JavierQ SG

liverpool is not a one man team. but the manager is sounding as if liverpool's starting line-up is all stevie g. he forgot all other players.

i think thats a little unfair

Medicated Oil SG

Stevie was in the mood to play well again.

So, when will he switch off again ?

Ah Ben is aware of this issue and have found a spare for stevie - Alonso.

I dun think any one (Kewell ?) can blackmail Ah Ben.

Look at Le Tallec ???

Put it this way.

Ah Ben's hand are pretty tied at the present moment in turn of players rotation.

But, I believe it works to his advantage as the players have gel together properly.

The era of one man team is gone with Mickey Mouse.

Squink ! Squink ! Mickey just missed his CL medal @@ So sad.

CoolMyth SG

It will be ironic if Liverpool does win the Champions League, at least to Michael Owen since he say he want to leave because he wants to have a CL medal. Laughing