Why Brendan Rodgers Must Resist Rushing Steven Gerrard Back for Liverpool

Steven Gerrard’s fairy-tale Liverpool goodbye is the narrative all football journalists want to write, but there are several reasons they may be sorely disappointed.

To add to the writers’ block, Brendan Rodgers was quick to play down questions surrounding Gerrard’s return from injury straight back into the first team at his Melwood press conference on Friday.

Rodgers was also keen to dismiss the inevitable comparisons between Jordan Henderson and the skipper, hinting that he felt it was a lazy line to go with following Henderson’s recent Gerrard-esque strikes from distance. 

Nevertheless, stunning goals aside, it appears Henderson is benefiting from Gerrard’s recent absence.

Jordan Henderson

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The first glimpse that Henderson would come of age without Gerrard by his side came back in December 2013, as Liverpool humiliated Tottenham 5-0 at White Hart Lane. 

In a match largely remembered for Jon Flanagan’s world-class volley, and subsequently finding himself at the bottom of a pile of jubilant Liverpool players, Henderson took charge of Liverpool’s midfield with Gerrard out injured.

Gerrard returned to the side to spur on an incredible push for the Premier League title, but the signs of Henderson’s future were apparent, and the former Sunderland midfielder was handed the vice-captain’s armband at the beginning of 2014/15.

A more subdued first half of the current campaign for Henderson was reflected in Liverpool’s form, but the 24-year-old has rekindled his form in recent games, taking on the captain’s armband and leading Liverpool to important victories.

He was sorely missed for the Reds’ Europa League exit against Besiktas in Istanbul but returned to open the scoring and lead Liverpool to an impressive 2-1 victory at home to Manchester City. Another goal, assist and captain’s performance came three days later in the 2-0 win at home to Burnley.

With an exciting authority in possession, Henderson controlled the game and carved out a very professional performance and, more importantly, a result for the Reds.

Preparing for the Future

At the risk of sounding cliche, the future is now, and for Liverpool to have not begun preparing for life after Gerrard would be naive—particularly after the reshuffle that was needed when Luis Suarez left for Barcelona last summer. 

Whilst Gerrard could still have an important part to play at Anfield before he heads for sunny California, one could argue that establishing the new guard, especially while it is in good form, is more important to Rodgers. 

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Joe Allen, for example, has shown an increased composure and maturity in his game of late, and a bond is beginning to form between him and Henderson.

Philippe Coutinho, benefiting from being rested for the trip to Istanbul last week, has made the space that Suarez occupied between midfield and attack last season his own, finding his shooting boots and adding goals to his game—arguably the only ingredient he was missing.

Furthermore, Liverpool's shape has evolved into a more managed structure, one in which the attacking Gerrard of old would fit. But with Coutinho, Lazar Markovic, Adam Lallana and Raheem Sterling all fighting for those places with exciting and versatile performances, where does Gerrard fit in?

To even question Gerrard not returning from injury immediately into Liverpool's first team shows how far the Reds have come. Now a more collective unit, sealing the leaks at the back and rediscovering a love for scoring in attack, there may be some relief that the over-reliance on Gerrard has subsided.

Liverpool are no longer a one-man team.