Liverpool FC: 5 Reasons Not To Panic Over Steven Gerrard's Injury Layoff
Liverpool FC announced Friday that captain and talisman Steven Gerrard had undergone a successful groin surgery that would see him sidelined for up to four weeks.
Immediate reaction: Oh no! Not again! Well actually, most fans' reactions probably had a couple choice words in there that I'd rather not publish, but anyway, it's not great news.
But hold on just a minute. Gerrard is one of the best players Liverpool has ever seen and is beyond crucial to the Reds success, but his most recent injury may not be the worst thing that could happen.
Gerrard may be the mastermind of LFC, but the Reds can live without him, for a short time at least. So, initial fears lessened, here are five reasons why Stevie's latest injury layoff doesn't mean the end of the world for Liverpool.
1. International Break Means Fewer Games Missed
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Steven Gerrard's first groin flare-up this season came last November, while he was on duty with the Three Lions. And it was in friendly game around the 80th minute, so thanks for that. Maybe it's a little bit of payback to England manager Fabio Capello that now Gerrard, who would be captain, won't be available for the Euro 2012 Qualifying match against Wales.
Anyway, the international break takes out at least two possible Liverpool games the Reds captain could've missed. And that week and half when many of the players will be away with their national teams, Gerrard can stay at Melwood and focus on recovering.
The games he will miss though cannot be overlooked. The Europa League home tie against Sporting Braga March 17 is first up, followed by Premier League matches away to both Sunderland and West Brom (where former manager Roy Hodgson awaits).
Those are all pretty sure misses, even for Captain Fantastic, but if he rehabs well, he could be back in time for the crucial home match against Manchester City on April 11. And it's almost vital to have Stevie back for the trip to the Emirates six days later.
Although, if losing that game helps Arsenal win the title over Manchester United, some Reds may be divided on that issue.
Either way, the international break comes at a great time for Gerrard's injury, as he may not miss more than four games, if that and he's more likely to be fit for the tougher ones. They'll all be tough without him, but I'd rather know he'll be out for West Brom if it means possibly having him for Man City.
2. Raul Meireles Loves to Get Forward and Luis Suarez Is All Over the Place
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Raul Meireles is not good as a holding midfielder, as evidenced by Roy Hodgson. He's best when he's right behind his strikers and getting into the box to feed off crosses and loose balls.
That's something Steven Gerrard is great at as well, so Meireles will have to put in a little extra work over the next few games. He also may have to drop back a little more often because it will be Lucas Leiva and (hopefully) Jay Spearing feeding him the ball instead of Lucas and Gerrard.
But having Luis Suarez (excluding Thursday against Braga) up front now allows Meireles to drop back a bit more. Suarez does not always have to be furthest up the field. That's Andy Carroll's job.
Suarez is the type of striker who frequently runs back into the midfield to win the ball back and works his way into the box all the way from the half-way line.
Missing Gerrard may affect Liverpool's ability to keep the ball as well, but the players Liverpool has up front should have no problem winning it back. And when they do, they'll be no shortage of players waiting in the box.
3. The Youngsters Are Ready to Shine
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Jay Spearing is a Scouser loved by the fans who has already seen some big action in Red. Kenny Dalglish has earmarked Raheem Sterling as a future star. And Dani Pacheco took his U-19 Spain squad to the final last summer.
Liverpool has some really promising youngsters and now may be a good time to give some of them a longer look.
Spearing has the most first team experience of the whole bunch and could partner Lucas Leiva in Steven Gerrard's absence. He's played in front of the Kop on European nights and can spread the ball out in the Premier League.
Pacheco has been a spark every time he's made an appearance and can certainly benefit from some time with Luis Suarez. He could play alongside him, on the wing or behind him, but wherever he is, the two of them can certainly play well off each other. They both have great pace and great ball skills and could set up numerous goals for their teammates.
Raheem Sterling isn't old enough to drive yet, but Kenny must've taken him to Prague a few weeks ago for a reason. Well, Sterling didn't get on the pitch that night, but he could in the coming weeks. He's got all kinds of pace and could play on the wing in the place of a disappointing Maxi Rodriguez.
These guys may not see much action while Gerrard is out, but they should at least get on the bench. That way, when players like Maxi, Christian Poulsen and Joe Cole disappoint in their starts, these guys will be raring to go the second they get on the pitch.
4. the Reds Have Enough Forwards Now, so You Don't Need Two Holding Midfielders
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Despite what some Reds fans still think, Lucas Leiva has matured into a good holding midfielder and he's even good at getting forward when his manager needs him to. He's been one of the more maligned figures at Liverpool in recent years, but he's taken all the criticism and just stuck to his game.
Now I'm not saying he's brilliant or even Brazilian for that matter, but he's definitely good at what he does. And what's better, with the way Kenny Dalglish sends his team out, his role is all about closing down and getting the ball forward quickly.
The Reds don't need to play with two holding midfielders while Steven Gerrard is out because unlike in recent years, he's not one of their main offensive threats. King Kenny now has Andy Carroll, the definiton of an out-and-out striker, Luis Suarez, Dirk Kuyt, Raul Meireles and any number of youngsters who excel at putting the ball in the back of the net.
Lucas has matured and is capable of holding down the midfield and protecting his back four or three on his own. Whoever partners him will sit just in front of him and that should allow the Reds to maintain their attacking style of play.
5. He Can Come Back as the Real Steven Gerrard
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Let's be honest. Stevie just hasn't been Stevie this season. He's only got eight goals this season and he even missed a penalty at Blackburn in what was Roy Hodgson's final game in charge of the Reds (you make Captain Fantastic miss a penalty, and you gotta go).
Liverpool has said this injury layoff could be up to four weeks, which should give Gerrard plenty of time to rest and recover. This is also a nagging injury that has plagued Stevie for a few years now and perhaps, this surgery will be the end of it.
He's got four or so years left in him, so this may be the best time for the surgery.
Liverpool have a real battle to finish out the season and need to be ready to pounce if the likes of Tottenham and Chelsea get preoccupied with the Champions League and slip up in the Premier League. It's still an outside shot to finish in the top four, but the Europa League is there for the taking.
The feel good factor is back around Anfield, and a rested, fitter Steven Gerrard is exactly what the Reds need to see it through to the end.
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