Steven Gerrard's Anfield Farewell Defeat Underlines Liverpool Need for Changes

ANFIELD, Liverpool — Steven Gerrard's Anfield farewell ended with a hugely disappointing performance and result for Liverpool as they lost 3-1 to Crystal Palace.

"Hopefully in the summer we can add that quality that the group clearly needs," proffered Brendan Rodgers post-match.

The Liverpool boss said the performance and result was disappointing, something that can be said about the whole of the 2014/15 campaign for the Reds. This game showed all the problems that have beset Rodgers and his side over the last nine months.

Again there were three different formations used by the Northern Irishman, again Dejan Lovren looked completely and utterly out of his depth, again Liverpool lacked a presence up front, and—just as Liverpool have for the majority of the last 17 years—Gerrard was the man they looked to for inspiration when behind.

Gerrard has carried many poor Liverpool teams in his career, but even he wasn't able to salvage this result when Rodgers pushed him into an attacking role behind Rickie Lambert—giving Liverpool an attacking two with the combined age of 67.

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There was no substitution for Gerrard, Rodgers had to keep him on in hope that the departing captain may somehow provide the inspiration to salvage a draw from the game. In truth, it never looked like happening.

Gerrard has spoke this week of how leaving his boyhood club will relieve him of the pressure of playing for the club he loves so much. If Gerrard was to have remained at Liverpool, he'd have a tough job pulling this current squad back to anywhere near the level required.

Gerrard was let down on his Anfield farewell. Far too many players failed to perform, and once again Liverpool's defensive fragility was exposed when up against a pacey attacker.

Changes

Changes are needed this summer, the question is whether they will arrive where they are needed.

Certainly a striker is required. Mario Balotelli and Fabio Borini weren't in the squad here, while Lambert was a late sub. Sterling instead started up front but offered very little.

The 20-year-old looked disinterested at times and has wilted under the pressure he and his advisors put upon him since that ill-advised interview last month. Sterling is a young player who thrives playing with freedom and with other attacking players around him; he has neither of those at present.

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The Kop showed their support for the manager post-match, cheering his name when Gerrard mentioned Rodgers in his post-match speech, but owners Fenway Sports Group would be fully justified if they were to sack him this summer.

Liverpool have failed to qualify for the Champions League, failed to reach a domestic cup final let alone win one, and they have mustered just one win in six outings in the Champions League—despite a favourable draw.

The Europa League beckons again next season, a competition that Rodgers struggled to juggle in his first season at the club. Are there any signs he can handle the demands of that campaign and get Liverpool back to the top four?

Where do Liverpool turn for inspiration now? Where is the star quality in the squad? The club are now shorn of all their world-class and world-renowned players, lacking leadership on the pitch and lacking the mental toughness to grind out performances.

It will be another summer of change at Anfield; how big those changes are remains to be seen.

*Quotes obtained firsthand unless otherwise stated.