Yes, Steven Gerrard

[etho]

I absolutely love this passion. Hate the narrative of the article, but just love this.

 

Steven Gerrard has kept controversy simmering from the 219th Merseyside derby by labelling Everton a long-ball team similar to Stoke City and claiming Liverpool were the only side that tried to play football at Goodison Park.

 

Liverpool were incensed at being denied a legitimate stoppage-time winner in Sunday's 2-2 draw when Luis Suárez was incorrectly ruled offside as he converted a header from Sebastián Coates. David Moyes argued Suárez was lucky to have been on the pitch at that stage, having escaped with a yellow card for a dangerous challenge on Sylvain Distin.

 

Gerrard was on his knees celebrating in front of Liverpool's supporters by the time Suárez's effort was disallowed by the referee, Andre Marriner, following a flag from his assistant Simon Bennett, and the Liverpool captain could not hide his frustration as he criticised the match officials and his Everton counterpart, Phil Neville, for a ridiculous dive. The England captain also reserved his anger for Moyes' tactics.

 

"There was only one team who came into the derby trying to play football," said Gerrard. "Everton are effective because they have some big physical lads in the team and are very direct. They are effective. But the only team who tried to play football was us.

 

"Everton are not better than us. I thought we stood up to a team that are very similar to Stoke. Every single time they got the ball to their goalkeeper it came in long. We had a young, small team and they were all men and stood together. We deserved the win."

 

Gerrard's comments echo the post-match claims of the manager, Brendan Rodgers, who reverted to a 3‑5‑2 formation in the second half to combat Everton's aerial threat and to play on the counter-attack. Moyes' team dominated after conceding two early goals, though an injury to Kevin Mirallas reduced their threat and Liverpool almost capitalised in a nervous finale, and the match statistics do not support Gerrard's assessment. Everton enjoyed more possession than Liverpool (56.2% to 43.8%), made more passes (400 to 314), had greater passing accuracy (78.5% to 76.8%) and played proportionally fewer long passes (13.8% to 14.6%).

 

There was, however, no argument over the legitimacy of Suárez's late effort. Gerrard added: "There is no offside and it's difficult for me to explain it. The only person who can explain it is the linesman. I asked him after the game if it was offside and he said: 'I think so.' That's not good enough. If every decision in this league is based on 'we think so', then we're in trouble. The linesman got it badly wrong. The benefit of the doubt is supposed to go to the attacking player anyway. And for their second goal it's a clear throw-in to us. The linesman gives us the throw but the referee saw something different. I feel sorry for our lads because I thought we were fantastic and deserved to win."

 

The Liverpool captain claimed Neville had "badly let his manager down" by diving after Moyes had condemned Suárez for theatrics in the pre-match build-up. He said: "With what he said about Luis Suárez before, David Moyes was trying to get in the referee's head, which is fine, that's all part of the game, stuff like that, but you don't expect your captain to dive like that."

 

Gerrard did reserve praise for Raheem Sterling, Liverpool's 17-year-old winger, who overcame a difficult start to impress on his Merseyside derby debut. The Liverpool captain added: "Sterling has been a revelation for us. To be 17 years of age away in a derby, in a cauldron of an atmosphere against a big, physical long-ball team, I thought he was outstanding. I don't think the Everton players would have known too much about Raheem Sterling before Sunday. But I think they are going to be seeing an awful lot of him in the future. He is going to be playing in many, many Merseyside derbies. He is going to have a major impact in them.

 

"He is going to be one of the top players in the league, there's no doubt about it. The way he stands up for himself, wants the ball and doesn't hide. It's a credit to himself. He has some bottle. That's what you look for in young lads. You wonder whether they have the bottle to play away against tough teams in tough situations and he handled it superbly."

 

Steven Gerrard describes Everton as big, physical long-ball merchants | Football | The Guardian

[Glock21]

Its a pain for me to say this....but i have to say this, from now on Steven Gerrard should sit on the bench together with Carra. Let Sahin play. Sahin and Allen or Shelvey in the centre midfield.

[Reacher]

Its a pain for me to say this....but i have to say this' date=' from now on Steven Gerrard should sit on the bench together with Carra. Let Sahin play. Sahin and Allen or Shelvey in the centre midfield.[/quote']

 

So alienate the captain for a player that could be back at Madrid next season? Good plan. Gerrard is still by far our best midfielder and will rightly carry on to play until the others up their game, considerably I may add.

[xerxes]

Gerrard is a living Red legend. I loved the article. he has at least another three good top flight years ahead of him.

[fowler9]

when Lucas is fit he should be put in the front 3, we'll have someone who can finish consistantly and he won't have to worry about getting back

[Glock21]

So alienate the captain for a player that could be back at Madrid next season? Good plan. Gerrard is still by far our best midfielder and will rightly carry on to play until the others up their game, considerably I may add.

 

Who gives a fuck where Sahin will play next season. Its this season we're talking about here. Groom Shelvey and play him more often.

 

I dont see anything that Gerrard can and will do much this season. He has lost it.

[silverlining]

Its a pain for me to say this....but i have to say this, from now on Steven Gerrard should sit on the bench together with Carra. Let Sahin play. Sahin and Allen or Shelvey in the centre midfield.

 

Why should Sahin play instead of Gerrard? He's nowhere near as good, plus he can't actually run.

 

Dear me Glock, where are you copy and pasting your opinions from these days?

[Glock21]

when Lucas is fit he should be put in the front 3, we'll have someone who can finish consistantly and he won't have to worry about getting back

 

Play Lucas in front 3??? WHAT? As what? Attacking midfielder?

[silverlining]

Play Lucas in front 3??? WHAT? As what? Attacking midfielder?

 

He means Gerrard. when Lucas is back, move Gerrard further forward. Don't have an aneurysm. Actually, no. Do.

[john23liverpool]

Play Lucas in front 3??? WHAT? As what? Attacking midfielder?

 

I think he meant when Lucas is back put Gerrard in a front three. But then you knew that.

[silverlining]

I think he meant when Lucas is back put Gerrard in a front three. But then you knew that.

 

I wouldn't be so sure about that

[Josef Svejk]

While I've no problem with Gerrard giving Everton shit, we're not exactly Barcelona ourselves. Yes, we're trying to pass the ball around a bit... but we aren't especially good at it.

[Reckoner]

Of course he did.

Dropping Gerrard at this point is a ridiculous suggestion. He is still the most threatening midfielder offensively by far. Sahin is being massively over rated by the rafanista crew who treat him as some sort of surrogate Alonso as they still cry wank when they see his face on tv, rocking back and forth murmuring 'xavi....xavi do nice long ball....has vision,......Gareth Barry sob...bad man ... sob.......' Possibly. Sahin being from Madrid and being Spanish is clouding their judgement. His contributions have been alright in Europe and he should improve but he should be behind Shelvey as well as Gerrard in the pecking order.

Gerrard's the best midfielder we have by far and it's only taking him for granted or a misconception he got Benitez the sack, rather than horrendous results and transfers, that is driving some people's agenda.

Support the club, life long players, supporter and captain, not ex employees.

[Josef Svejk]

People are allowed discuss Gerrard's form independently of Rafa debates, are they not?

[Dan Vito Corleone]

"We don't care what the red shite say."

 

Could have fooled me.

[Russ Atmosphere]

While I've no problem with Gerrard giving Everton shit, we're not exactly Barcelona ourselves. Yes, we're trying to pass the ball around a bit... but we aren't especially good at it.

 

I agree and I think Gerrard knows it too. It's like his interview was trying to contain anything which would aggravate the vile bile-screaming Evertonians from the stands on Sunday. It's pure, unadulterated trolling-by-numbers.

[LFC64]

Everton players and manager come out and say they were the better side, were disappointed not to win, and 2 Liverpool players should have been sent off

 

Liverpool's captain counters with a retort defending his club

 

Well in Steven

[Rambo]

when Lucas is fit he should be put in the front 3, we'll have someone who can finish consistantly and he won't have to worry about getting back

 

Not doubting his legs, and if they are still good enough, I'd stick him on the right of the front three. Got bags of goals from the right previously. And still think he can drop in front of the back four when he gets a bit older.

[SlugTrail]

Who gives a fuck where Sahin will play next season. Its this season we're talking about here. Groom Shelvey and play him more often.

 

I dont see anything that Gerrard can and will do much this season. He has lost it.

 

i take it you like them young!

[TheHowieLama]

when Lucas is fit he should be put in the front 3, we'll have someone who can finish consistantly and he won't have to worry about getting back

 

The outside players in that front three have to cover a shitload of ground.

[fowler9]

The outside players in that front three have to cover a shitload of ground.

 

I'd be tempted to make him the middle one as I feel Suarez would be capable of doing what he does in any role in the front 3

[Whelan]

He can't play twice a week and shouldn't be anywhere near the UEFA cup until the later rounds if we are in with a chance.

 

Lucas, Allen and Gerrard with Sahin and Shelvey slotting in as and when seems a good solid midfield to me, although not quite sure Sahin isn't a 'Veron' type of player unsuited to the premiership. I would like another DM but for next season.

 

As for the article - well said but stick by it. Any retorts (which lets face it, we are not allowed to defend our club at the moment) and he should say - Moyes had his say, I am having mine. But I doubt he will, we are too nice. Silverlining should be a new Director of Communications! Within a week the headlines would read 'Liverpool PR Director in Cluttering Spastics outburst!

[Mathewbet1]

He insulted Everton and Stoke in one great broadside, Legend.

[Guest LFD]

Its a pain for me to say this....but i have to say this, from now on Steven Gerrard should sit on the bench together with Carra. Let Sahin play. Sahin and Allen or Shelvey in the centre midfield.

 

You say this when Gerrard got an assist, was very good defensively and was one of our best players vs Everton.

 

Sahin got subbed for being anonymous, just like he was vs Stoke.

 

Gerrard is still very much one of our best players, certainly one of few match winners we have. We have two of those, Gerrard and Suarez, the stats say this as well based on this season!

 

He is also a brilliant captain, which he had many doubters over the years in that regard. He is bollocking refs on the pitch (vs Stoke the best example), protecting the young players (Sterling), having a pop at our rivals (the comments in this thread). He has everything we want in a captain and we are lucky to have him on and off the field.

 

Last thing - Negged!

[Whelan]

You say this when Gerrard got an assist, was very good defensively and was one of our best players vs Everton!

 

Don't agree with that! I thought he was poor and off the pace.

 

Gerrard is still very much one of our best players, certainly one of few match winners we have. We have two of those, Gerrard and Suarez, the stats say this as well based on this season!

 

He is also a brilliant captain, which he had many doubters over the years in that regard

 

Although I agree with this. And his captaincy this year has been great.