Liverpool: 5 Reasons the Club No Longer Rely Completely on Steven Gerrard
Since the beginning of the 21st century Liverpool have been competitors mainly due to an unhealthy reliance on club captain Steven Gerrard for inspiration and attacking energy. The purchase of Fernando Torres lessened this somewhat but the Spaniard was always much more effective when deployed in combination with Gerrard. An injury to either player usually resulted in a flat and un-imaginative Liverpool display, as well as a feeling of immense frustration for the fans.
Today with our captain getting on in years and having lost a bit of his former dynamic influence it seems that Liverpool have looked stronger and better equipped to deal with life sans Gerrard. Without the pressure of having to seemingly win a game all by himself, I think we'll see a better Steven Gerrard at the end of this season as well as in the next campaign. And perhaps he'll be able to do something about those prominent eye-bags.
Here are five reasons why Liverpool no longer have to rely entirely on our mighty No 8.
Liverpool Beat Chelsea and Manchester United Without a Fully Fit Gerrard
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After Kenny Dalglish took the reigns Liverpool was dumped out of the FA Cup by Manchester United, but since then we've bounced back to beat both United and Chelsea. Steven Gerrard has been suffering from his reoccurring groin problems yet the Reds managed to operate effectively with him well under 100%. Our captain really shouldn't have played in either game giving him some time to rest but I can imagine trying to tell Steven Gerrard to his face that he will be on the bench against United or Chelsea...
In days past by a Liverpool-less Gerrard would be flat, sluggish and frustrating to watch against the better teams but it seems these days are fading. The likes of Raul Meireles and now Luis Suarez have been able to provide that key link in the final third between bringing the ball out through our midfield and up to a striker in goal-scoring position. Both times Gerrard was deployed quite deep alongside Lucas Leiva, although at times he interchanged with Meireles on rare forays forward.
We may never again see the Steven Gerrard of 2008/2009 whose telepathic link with Torres saw him rip apart defenses with late runs. However although his pace may be slowly seeping away his awareness and ability to pick out a pass remains world class, and not having to carry the team anymore will allow him to do more damage in this manner.
Raul Meireles Can Run Like a Damn Antelope
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When Chelsea splashed $30 million on Brazilian midfielder Ramires after he impressed at the 2010 World Cup, they were looking for a high-energy midfielder who was technically gifted enough to link up attacking play. For $18 million Liverpool bought a player who has been an absolute revelation at Anfield and secured his status as a fan favorite for his tireless work ethic and ability to accurately volley any sort of ball that comes at him. The man can cover some serious ground.
Raul Meireles has effectively gone about the business that used to be Steven Gerrard's domain: blasting forward to support our forwards and putting away chances. Deployed in an unfamiliar role under Hodgson out on the right, the Portuguese midfielder has blossomed under Dalglish in a central role. His run of form which produced a return of almost a goal a game was the main reason that Liverpool have been playing with such confidence.
The best part is, he is far from a one-trick pony. Able to interchange brilliantly with Gerrard or Lucas in central midfield, Meireles is one of the main reasons that whispers of "total football" have been heard around this Liverpool team. He's just as likely be clearing a ball of his own line as he is to be finishing off a flowing counter-attack in the opponent's 60 yard box. Finally, he has shown his worth on set pieces whether its taking a corner kick or smashing in a wayward clearance.
Liverpool Have Shifted from a 4-2-3-1 to a Fluid 3-5-2
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Under Benitez Liverpool goals usually came as a result of some sort of combination from Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres breaking forward, supported by a Xabi Alonso through ball or a Dirk Kuyt pass. Many attempts were made to give the team some width with the lives of Harry Kewell, Ryan Babel, or Albert Riera brought in on the wings but no impact was ever made. With the departure of Alonso and a lack of incisive passing from Lucas Leiva or Javier Mascherano it was up to Gerrard to pick up the ball and make something happen. Not anymore.
Kenny Dalglish's much discussed three-man defense has allowed Liverpool to support attacking forays a great deal more through the midfield. We still lack any sort of genuine winger in our ranks but through the use of wing-backs and more central midfielders there's no need for Gerrard to provide that sole link. Much of this is down to the addition of Meireles but the emergence of Martin Kelly as well as the addition of Luis Suarez to complement a lone front man (a choice between Dirk Kuyt and Andy Carroll) takes a lot of the pressure of Gerrard.
Liverpool may find themselves in an extremely unfamiliar position in the coming months. If Dalglish persists with a 3-5-2 and fields both Suarez and Carroll, may mean that Gerrard can rested for games without the team losing any of its attacking potency. Unthinkable under Benitez.
Martin Kelly Has Come out of Nowhere to Becomg an Essential First Team Component
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Rafa Benitez spent almost $20 million on Glen Johnson to bring an extra thrust to Liverpool's right flank, but Johnson has been upstaged by home grown Martin Kelly who has made right back position his own. When he went off injured against West Ham many fans were genuinely distraught, which shows Kelly's startling rise in worth since making his debut this season. He is still only 20, but has shown every indication of become an invaluable asset both offensively and defensively on Liverpool's right wing.
With Kelly on the right and Johnson on the left in wing back positions, Liverpool have had more width than at any time in recent seasons, which reduces our reliance on driving attacks through the middle. As both players are more than able to bomb up and down the flanks all game and Lucas Leiva slotting in to fill any defensive gaps Liverpool can afford to play two strikers up front and not rely on their central midfielders to provide width.
Attacking full-backs have become more and more important to modern teams, the likes of Dani Alves, Maicon, Gareth Bale or Ashley Cole allow managers to field a narrow midfield yet still retain some width. Gerrard will greatly enjoy the extra dimension of two wide players who will benefit from his accurate long-passes.
Liverpool Have Striking Options: Take Your Pick from Kuyt, Suarez or Carroll
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At long last Liverpool have striking options. The days of Milan Baros deployed as a lone forward leaving Steven Gerrard with everything to do are over. Fernando Torres has left to struggle at Stamford Bridge and suddenly everything is looking rosy for Liverpool's front line. Gerrard was magnificent in his support role in 2008/2009 but his injury problems have seemed to rob the Scouser of some of that explosive pace. No worries. Finally the team is equipped to operate without channeling everything through its talisman.
Liverpool's current strike force all bring something different to the table. Luis Suarez has thus-far proven himself to be a cunning little weasel of a striker, and his performance against Manchester United lacked only a goal to be described as scintillating. Yes it may just be a one-off but the Dirk Kuyt that notched his first Liverpool hat trick is the striker he is fully capable of being. Not the fastest and not the most technically gifted (although better than most give him credit for) but he has a striker's instinct and showed it at Anfield that afternoon. And finally Andy Carroll has shown all the signs of being so much more than a battering ram that looks too much like Sotirios Kyrgiakos.
Goals can now be had from a variety of sources, and if Joe Cole ever remembers how to play football Liverpool's forward options will be even greater. Steven Gerrard will remain our captain and talisman, but at long last he will be able to stop attempting to win the title all by himself and once again play in a team full of attacking talent. Maybe now he can get some sleep and not look so damn tired all the time.
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