Steven Gerrard's Absence May Have Silver Lining for England

When it was reported that Steven Gerrard would be going under the knife for a groin operation after Liverpool's Champions League qualifier against Standard Liege, there was a discernible amount of wailing and gnashing of teeth across the country. Nearly as much as there was when watching Liverpool's lifeless performance against the Belgian side.

Those with his club’s best interest at heart regard Gerrard as a talisman, and there are many who place him on a similar pedestal for the England team as well. When Liverpool need a goal he is normally there, saving his side. As for England? Not quite the same story.

Gerrard's problem at the international level stems from problems at his club. True, he pops up with a 25-yard screamer in the final minute of a big game, hence his talisman status. But does his manager Rafa Benitez know his best position? Does England manager Fabio Capello? More to the point, does Steven Gerrard?

Gerrard's all-action style is his downfall, his versatility his undoing. Liverpool's lack of width has been a problem for some time, leading Benitez to often do the following: to stick Gerrard out wide in one game, play him in the middle the next, behind Fernando Torres the game after that, before sticking him out wide again.

So, when it comes to the England side, what should we do with this enigmatic player? In England's last match against the Czech Republic, Gerrard took up a position on the left of the England midfield. He didn't stay there, constantly wandering infield to look for the ball—a natural instinct for a player who puts so much faith in his right foot.

This needs to be remedied, and Joe Cole put out on the left. Whilst not a left-footed player, he at least knows how to play the role for the national side. Gerrard does not. With matches against Andorra and, more critically, Croatia on the horizon, one of Capello's biggest problems has been removed.

Make no mistake about it, for all his undoubted talent, Gerrard poses a problem. He is not a holding midfielder, so playing him with Frank Lampard is, as proven, an unsuitable selection. He is an attacking midfielder, which means he needs someone alongside him to sit back and protect the back four.

Carrick is a playmaking option in this role, Hargreaves a more defensive choice. The other concern with Gerrard is the amount of games he simply does not perform in. His attitude and hunger cannot be questioned, but his ability to retain position for his team can be.

Granted, he can hit raking 60-yard balls as well as anyone, but his use of the ball is often poor. He is the main man in the Liverpool midfield, and is a regular in the England midfield as well. Both are poor at ball retention, and Gerrard can often be cited as a culprit.

Fabio Capello can now pick a midfield that may have more balance. Lampard will, no doubt, be the first pick in the centre, backed up by someone who can effectively perform a role working around him. Barry, Carrick, and Hargreaves all have valid claims to the position, and will all bring different qualities to it.

This is Lampard's chance to cement a firm partnership in the heart of the England side—and perhaps it is the chance for one of the players mentioned above.

They need to take it, otherwise, for all the problems he may present, Gerrard will be ready to step back in. Gerrard has the potential, even at this stage of his career, to become an England legend.

While Benitez and Capello continue to pick square pegs for round holes, the chances of this diminish all the time. If Gerrard can find it within himself to cut the unforced errors out of his game, he might just help them.