Liverpool Transfers: 5 Potential Successors to Steven Gerrard

Steven Gerrard is nearing the end of his career and, as with any club legend, the search for a potential successor is ongoing.

While there are certainly a few players in the current squad who could fill that role, this list is looking at players whom the club could sign to take Gerrard's place.

It would be hard for any one player to replicate all the skills that Steven Gerrard has brought to Liverpool during the years, but there are a few factors that could make someone a potential successor.

While none of these players will have followed the same path as Gerrard, what we're looking for is their ability to be a Liverpool talisman like Gerrard.

The Liverpool No. 8 has brought many trophies, great goals and inspirational moments for his side, and his successor would need to have the ability to do that as well.

Here are five potential successors to Steven Gerrard.

Gary Gardner

Last year around this time, TalkSport's talent spotter took a look at Aston Villa youngster Gary Gardner in an article under the title, "The Next Steven Gerrard."

Gardner has been likened to the Liverpool legend thanks to his playing style and has also spoken of the player as one of his favourites in his childhood.

Here are his comments from an article presented by Goal.com:

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“I’m a central midfielder and I like to bomb on and score goals and it was Gerrard who was my favorite player when I was growing up,” Gardner told Goal.com. “That’s because he is an all-round midfielder who has got everything. He can tackle, shoot, pass and score goals. Gerrard is my idea of the perfect player.

“He has got everything you need in your locker to be a midfielder and he has been the driving force in Liverpool and England sides for ages. He’s class.”

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Gardner has appeared for Aston Villa 14 times in his young career, and while injury has slowed his progress this season, there is certainly more to come.

Liverpool may not have been linked to the Villa player as yet, but should the Reds come knocking, Gardner may just answer.

Though he is only 20 and there is nothing to suggest he would definitely become a replica of his idol, Gardner can certainly be put down as a potential successor given his talent.

Jason Lowe

Jason Lowe is another English talent with the ability to be a successor for Steven Gerrard.

The Blackburn midfielder, who can play right-back as well, was one of the positive stories as the Rovers were relegated last season, as he showed some good progress while racking up more than 30 Premier League appearances.

In an article from the BBC concerning Lowe's recent singing of a new long-term deal his former manager, Steve Kean, highlighted some of his attributes. The comments below are from the BBC article.

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"He's shown that he can play right-back, holding midfield player, wide right, doubling up with a full-back, he can play box-to-box as a genuine midfield player, so when he's got all of those attributes he's got a long career ahead of him and I'm delighted with his progress."

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Sounds a bit like Gerrard, doesn't it? Just like his young English counterpart, Gary Gardner, there's no telling how Lowe's career will progress, but he's worth being on this list based on potential.

Whether or not Liverpool ever makes a move is another important factor, but Lowe is a passionate player who, if he reaches his potential, could really help the Reds in the future.

Ander Herrera

It's no surprise that many Spanish players are linked with a move to England given the recent influx of Spanish talent that is taking the Premier League by storm.

Athletic Bilbao's Ander Herrera has been linked (via Talksport and the Daily Mail) with a move to Liverpool.

Herrera provides plenty of experience in La Liga and Europe and, at 23, he is still yet to reach his prime

The Bilbao midfielder can play as a defensive midfielder, an attacking midfielder or in a regular central role and would certainly fit well in Brendan Rodgers' system.

His passing, dribbling and defensive skills make him a well-rounded player, and the only thing he needs to improve is his goal-scoring.

Herrera would be a great buy for Liverpool and certainly has the potential to succeed Steven Gerrard.

Isco

Like his fellow Spaniard, Isco was also linked to Liverpool in articles from the Daily Mail and Talksport.

Isco's star has risen in the last year after his play with Malaga, and he has only enhanced his reputation with some good performances in Europe and domestically this season. 

He may not have the same defensive traits as some of the other players on this list, but he certainly makes up for it in an attacking sense.

Isco has shown the ability to score goals from midfield, a significant part of Steven Gerrard's game, and while he is not as prolific as the Liverpool man, he is only 20 and has plenty of time.

Christian Eriksen

If Liverpool is looking for a player who can be as prolific as Steven Gerrard in providing and scoring goals from midfield, then Christian Eriksen may fit the bill.

According to the Metro, Eriksen has been tabbed as a transfer target for Brendan Rodgers in the near future, and it's easy to see why.

He has a better goal-scoring record than the other non-English players on this list and has plenty of experience as well.

Eriksen scored eight goals for Ajax in the 2010/11 and 2011/12 seasons respectively and already has five goals this season. That haul suggests he is beginning to improve in that area, and the Danish youngster has a decent assist rate as well.

No one can easily plug the huge gap that Steven Gerrard will leave, but with his skills and experience in the game so far, Eriksen has a good shot at doing that.