Liverpool FC: 6 Reasons Steven Gerrard's Best Years Are Behind Him

Liverpool's game against local rivals Everton provided lots of goal-mouth action for those in red.

As, once again, Liverpool laid siege to the bragging rights of Merseyside, courtesy of a Steven Gerrard hat trick, a little thought crossed my mind: What would Liverpool do without Steven Gerrard?

Not a lot bad, actually. But there is one worrying factor.

Taking a look at the Liverpool reserves or the first-teamers, it would be hard to find a player who has the potential to fill in those large boots when Gerrard finally hangs up.

The very thought of having to deal with the retirement of Gerrard should send shivers down the spine of any Liverpool supporter. Sure, he can’t go on like Ryan Giggs or Javier Zanetti, because of the injuries he has sustained over the years.

Although the retirement debate can stay away for a while, the question over his influence on the side is well worth giving some attention.

Not to question his leadership credentials, but his influence over the Liverpool midfield has certainly waned over the years.

Despite his hat trick heroics in the Merseyside derby, I've got six reasons to state why Steven Gerrard is well past it and what it means for Liverpool.

The Age Factor

OK, you may think it’s a bit silly considering how well players like Giggs, Zanetti and even David Beckham have fared into their late 30s. But the fact remains that none of them were box-to-box midfielders like Gerrard. And when you are one of those, you need bucket loads of stamina and pace to continue playing successfully at the highest level.

Gerrard turns 32 this May, and it has been clear for some time that age has sucked out considerable amount of speed from his body.

He lasted the full 90 against Everton only because he chose to play a sizable portion of it in the defensive third.

The Injuries

Steven Gerrard has been the heart and soul of Liverpool midfield ever since he wore the skipper’s armband.

Stevie G—much like Michael Owen, a former Red—had an early start to his senior career with Liverpool, and although Gerrard hasn’t had a big career blip like Owen has, the groin injuries and hamstring troubles that keep propping up every now and then is proof of the toll they have had on his body.

The serious groin tear that ruled him out of action for the most part of 2011 was a direct consequence of fast-tracking his way to fitness in the past. It has also been the reason why Kenny Dalglish opts to play it safe when it comes to the fitness of his captain.

The Assist Count

Fernando Torres has long moved over his happy days at Liverpool. It seems like Steven Gerrard, too, has as his reputation of being the provider has taken a serious hit for the last couple of seasons.

This was a period of transition for the club as a whole, but his assist chart isn’t appealing enough.

Gerrard’s record for the two years spanning 2007-09 was 27 goals and 20 assists in the PL charts. But he has only managed 18 goals and 12 assists in the three seasons (2009-12) since then.

It is also worth noting that the best chances in the game against Everton was created by Jordan Henderson, Luis Suarez, Stewart Downing and, believe it or not, Andy Carroll. Gerrard’s absence from the list—partly owed to the injuries to defensive role regulars Lucas Leiva and Daniel Agger—is yet another proof of his decreasing influence on the game.

Goals Drying Up

I just heard one reader say, “You gotta be kidding me!”

Well, it is kind of ridiculous to come up with such a statement, hardly a day removed from the hat trick against Everton. But the fact remains that Steven Gerrard hasn’t looked much of a goal threat in the games that he has started this season.

His stats against Cardiff also prove that he hasn’t been clinical with his chances as well. 

His long-range shooting abilities seem to be a thing of the past as the Liverpool skipper doesn’t seem to be confident having a go at it from distance.

Less Influential off the Bench

Whenever a key player doesn’t start the game, it means either that he is nursing himself back to fitness following an injury layoff or is to be used as a trump card in the manager’s playbook to help galvanise the team’s attack during the later stages of a game.

Stevie G has had his fair share of influential moments coming off the bench for Liverpool in the past. Many fans would remember the match against Olympiakos FC during that eventful 2004/05 Champions League campaign.

More recently, it was during the New Year’s Eve fixture against Newcastle United—a game where he again grabbed a goal for himself coming off the bench.

But between those, the instances have been very few and the question gained even more credibility when Gerrard couldn’t inspire his teammates against Sunderland, as the Reds went down 1-0 at the Stadium of Light.

Not Really Missed

Now, in the beginning of this slideshow I’d put forward a question about Steven Gerrard’s importance to this Liverpool setup.

Stevie G is mighty important for the Reds. Throughout his recovery period in 2011, fans were hoping to see him in action with the Suarez-Carroll strike force.

But it did come as a surprise to most fans when the other players rose to the occasion and responded well in the absence of Stevie G as Liverpool mounted a late battle with Kenny Dalglish coming in.

So, it goes without saying that Liverpool will ultimately learn to live without Steven Gerrard coming to their rescue. But one thing is for sure.

There are quite a few talented players coming up while a few players have hopes pinned down upon them by the coaching staff who’d like to see them emulate Gerrard.

But the funny thing is that never ever will happen. There can only be one true number 8 for Liverpool and that can only be Steven…Gerrard…Gerrard!