Steven Gerrard - 2005/2006

[Philby]

This season is set up for Gerrard to really confirm his spot as one of the top players in world football today. He has been absolutely electrifying form thus far pre-season with his pace, power and finishing ability all looking to have improved even further since last season. IMHO he'll be a shoe-in for the team of the year and a great bet for player of the season (barring injury)

There's a lot of bullsh1t bandied about in relation to Gerrard (like last season when he allegedly had an awful season. He had more man of the match games than any other player at the club and had a fine season but perhaps the expectation levels are so high for the lad that he needs to score hat-tricks every week to justify the hype) so I'd like to use this thread as a spot to chart his season, game by game.

Saturday, 13 August 2005
Barclays Premiership
Middlesbrough (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/m/middlesbrough/default.stm) v Liverpool (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/liverpool/default.stm), 17:15

[STEVIEG]

Jesus Christ!

[Sound]

Jesus Christ!

The new 'As good as it Gets'. ;0)

[STEVIEG]

Gotta hand it to him though he knows how to start a long thread!

[MonTheHoops]

Gerrard, Mary & Joseph.

If we count 1,000 best players then he probably is one of the best

[Philby]

Gerrard was in the thick of it on saturday..a one-man assault on the boro goal but unfortunately he didn't have his finishing boots on and we left with just a point. If one of his earlier chances had gone in we'd have given them a right beating. They played like a non-league side who were delighted to get a draw, at home. I'm sure a lot of the home fans were wondering exactly what was going on. Sure Ugo's ending off changed their game slightly but they were ultra-defensive all day and we haunted not to have Parlour sent off too.

I was impressed with Sissoko (although he should've started alongside Xabi leaving Gerrard to do the attacking early on - not the other way around). Huge guy, very-vieira like in his running style and tackling. Lacks the nous on the ball that vieira now has but showed that he is a ferocious competitor who will run & fight for the full 90. A midfield of Alonso, Gerrard & Sissoko can be both robust and sublime.

Here's Miles Palmer's view on the game (and liverpool's season) - www.anr.co.uk (http://www.anr.co.uk) - this site is a great read




IN MIDDLESBROUGH, Benitez played 4-5-1 and all the chances fell to Steven Gerrard, who missed them all in a 0-0.



Benitez uses Stevie G the way I would use him for England, as a free-roaming warrior who would supply Rooney and Defoe and join them in every attack.



He is a power player who should win it and give it and speed forward and make things happen.



In other words, do what he did in Istanbul to turn AC Milan upside down.



Stevie G is a very powerful running machine and a great shooting machine, a big guy with a big stride and a fierce shot in his big boots.



He is pro-active, NOT strategic. His value lies in getting the ball and hitting vulnerable areas.



BENITEZ is making Liverpool like Valencia : shapely, solid, workmanlike, hard to beat.



He has Hamann, Xabi Alonso and Sissoko in midfield, plus Riise.



Alonso is a strategic playmaker who is much classier than Albelda or Baraja, the pair he had at Valencia.



Sissoko is a gutsy competitor who does all the ugly things energetically and honestly.



Benitez is a realist who accepts that Liverpool will have a lot of games where they have to scrap and grind out a result, so he has equipped himself accordingly.



Their style is not an attractive as Arsenal's, but it will accumulate results



GOALKEEPER Reina looked solid and got good distance on his punches.

Like Valencia, Liverpool will not score many goals.

[STEVIEG]

Thanks for that it just made my day!

[Philby]

I never realised you were so easily pleased lad :-)

[STEVIEG]

Only messing
I like this quote though easily known which Stevie they are NOT talking about
"Stevie G is a very powerful running machine and a great shooting machine, a big guy with a big stride and a fierce shot in his big boots".

[Philby]

"Stevie G is a lazy, self-abusing cnut who spends his time flicking between PROC and animal p0rn sites" - more appropriate ;-)

[Langer Dan]

Jesus Christ!


It must be love............

[STEVIEG]

"Stevie G is a lazy, self-abusing cnut who spends his time flicking between PROC and animal p0rn sites" - more appropriate ;-)

Closer anyway-i'll give you that

[Up For The Ba]

Week 1: - Stevie is lookin fine in his tight shorts, I wonder what he had for breakfast this morning

[Teknique]

please dont let this turn into another like that william gallas appreciation thread....

[baby face]

He Should Have Had 4 Goals On Saturday.good Player But Not As Good As Ye Make Him Out To Be,still Not Up There With The Likes Of Zidane,nedved And Veria.

[Philby]

He Should Have Had 4 Goals On Saturday.good Player But Not As Good As Ye Make Him Out To Be,still Not Up There With The Likes Of Zidane,nedved And Vieira

Surely you mean Zidane, Nedved & Gilberto?

[baby face]

No I Meant Zidane,nedved And Park

[STEVIEG]

Ahem
Still waiting for last Saturday's update

[Langer Dan]

is he back for the Spurs match?

[Philby]

I'd say so, unless he picks up an injury during one of Sven's comical world cup qualifiers.

[shammy feen]

Thats not much of an update Philby.

C'mon ..we want reviews on a game by game basis as promised at the start of theis thread.

Pre and post match analysis and day to day training updates.

We are hungry for news.

No more cop outs.

Did he play in the super-cup? If so how did it go ?

[Coin]

Did he play in the super-cup? If so how did it go ?
Nope, but the wince on his face whenever the camera cut to him was comical (usually just after Liverpool had easily conceded possession AGAIN).

[Philby]

Steven Gerrard has successfully negotiated a tricky trip to the jacks for a scuttery shit. Many pundits saw this move as a potential banana peel for the talented Huyton midfielder especially in the light of a particularly "aggressive" curry consumed the night before.

Gerrard (25) acquited himself well however, going for the little-used wheelchair bathrooms at Melwood to avoid the inevitable dirty looks he invariably receives from his more cultured european teammates when he drops a particularly nasty log. Gerrard was asked if this immensely successful shit will mean a return to the days when liverpool's midfielders were the size of a tank Gerrard reponded "It's looking good, how can I return to salads and wholemeal bread sandwiches after a shit like this?"

[shammy feen]

Steven Gerrard has successfully negotiated a tricky trip to the jacks for a scuttery shit. Many pundits saw this move as a potential banana peel for the talented Huyton midfielder especially in the light of a particularly "aggressive" curry consumed the night before.

Gerrard (25) acquited himself well however, going for the little-used wheelchair bathrooms at Melwood to avoid the inevitable dirty looks he invariably receives from his more cultured european teammates when he drops a particularly nasty log. Gerrard was asked if this immensely successful shit will mean a return to the days when liverpool's midfielders were the size of a tank Gerrard reponded "It's looking good, how can I return to salads and wholemeal bread sandwiches after a shit like this?"

Thats more like it.

Biscan Memorial XI are faltering however after initial success.

[Philby]

Ya, I didn't realise that the midweek games were a seperate gameweek so didn't change my team (keep SG as captain - bit of a disaster when I had lampard & henry in my team who both scored twice). Hoping to pick it up this w/e and make a bit of a surge. Hard to make up ground consistently though, once you drop 50+ points you'll really struggle to catch up.

[STEVIEG]

Steven Gerrard has successfully negotiated a tricky trip to the jacks for a scuttery shit. Many pundits saw this move as a potential banana peel for the talented Huyton midfielder especially in the light of a particularly "aggressive" curry consumed the night before.

Gerrard (25) acquited himself well however, going for the little-used wheelchair bathrooms at Melwood to avoid the inevitable dirty looks he invariably receives from his more cultured european teammates when he drops a particularly nasty log. Gerrard was asked if this immensely successful shit will mean a return to the days when liverpool's midfielders were the size of a tank Gerrard reponded "It's looking good, how can I return to salads and wholemeal bread sandwiches after a shit like this?"

Definitely a step in the right direction!

[shammy feen]

Ya, I didn't realise that the midweek games were a seperate gameweek so didn't change my team (keep SG as captain - bit of a disaster when I had lampard & henry in my team who both scored twice). Hoping to pick it up this w/e and make a bit of a surge. Hard to make up ground consistently though, once you drop 50+ points you'll really struggle to catch up.

You mean to say that you would have considered choosing Lampard as team captain over Gerrard?

Maybe your finally seeing the light.....

Im surprised you have Lampard in your team at all in fact so infused you were with vitreol and hatred for "Fat Frank" when he broke Alonsos ankle last season in an innocuous tackle, that it unhinged your footballing judgement and you couldnt see him for what he was, premiership player of the season 2004/2005....

But your obviously of sound mind now if you were willing to put old differences aside and possibly make him your captain.

heheheh.....

Shammy

[STEVIEG]

Bump

[Langer Dan]

shown him the door, useless injury prone cunt.

[Sound]

shown him the door, useless injury prone cunt.

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

[Captain Planet]

Id hate to think what you call darren anderton if gerrard is a useless injury prone cunt

[ho chi feen]

Good, but he's no Michael Essien.

[Sound]

Good, but he's no Michael Essien.

Who Sissokko?

[Langer Dan]

Id hate to think what you call darren anderton if gerrard is a useless injury prone cunt

nice of you to admit it

[Sound]

nice of you to admit it

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz zzzzzzzzzzzzzz

[Captain Planet]

nice of you to admit it
Hey look...it's the forum idiot. let's all point and laugh!hahahahahahaha

[Rebelred]

whats the latest on Stevie??? the Star gave him man of the match on saturday...c'mon Philby,update us

[Fat Tom]

Why has the greatest midfield player in the world in the next 2 years and the natural successor and surpasser of Keane's ability to dominate the middle of the pitch been pushed out to the right of midfield and not able to get a game in the middle of the park for England?

What are the pool fans views on his positional change?

[STEVIEG]

If i was a Liverpool fan (perish the thought)
I wouldn't care where he played as long as they won (they are winning at the moment)
Where he plays for his country wouldn't bother me either

That English midfield is a starnge one alright but there's a certain bullshit artist paid about 4 million a year to come up with a solution and he seems as confused as everyone else

Come on Philby!

RE-IGNITE THE THREAD!

[homer jay]

Why has the greatest midfield player in the world in the next 2 years and the natural successor and surpasser of Keane's ability to dominate the middle of the pitch been pushed out to the right of midfield and not able to get a game in the middle of the park for England?

What are the pool fans views on his positional change?

the fact htat stevie g is the one moved out to the wing shows the manager feels he's got a good enough, highly adaptable player who can be asked to play out of position. i can't see lampard being put out there and doing as good a job. although i am of the opinion that sven is a total dickhead, and wouldn't know a good team if it rid him up the arse. he's just copying benitez

[MonTheHoops]

the fact htat stevie g is the one moved out to the wing shows the manager feels he's got a good enough, highly adaptable player who can be asked to play out of position. i can't see lampard being put out there and doing as good a job. although i am of the opinion that sven is a total dickhead, and wouldn't know a good team if it rid him up the arse. he's just copying benitez

I think Gerrard is being moved out there because he can be. If he were as good a central midfielder as Lampard then he'd be in there. people say they're too similar but if Gerrard posed the attacking threat that Lampard did then he'd be the one playing in the centre.

[Fat Tom]

I think it's the fact that they need Lampard in the middle cause of scoring threat, he doesn't dominate the game enough for me.
No doubting he is a class act but in many ways he is flawed as a player.

Gerrard is the better player but suffers due to his versatility, Enlgand need both but Gerrard will suffer as a player in my opinion if not played in his best position at club level - he is still learning the game and to become the player he can be he should be in the middle of the park.

If both could play together England would have a class central midfield but it appears unlikely.

[Rebelred]

Philby must be preparing a really special post for this one...





or else he's tending to Makelele's injury

[General Michael Collins]

Stevie G was in virgin megastore in Liverpool city centre yesterday to lauch a dvd about his career to date.

[STEVIEG]

Wow


He also said yesterday that Livepools title challenge is back on now that Chelsea are having a blip
Well, you have to admire the confidence

[ho chi feen]

Stevie G was in virgin megastore in Liverpool city centre yesterday to lauch a dvd about his career to date.

So that's you sorted for wanking material.

Got your Keano voodoo doll set out this week?

[Sound]

Wow


He also said yesterday that Livepools title challenge is back on now that Chelsea are having a blip
Well, you have to admire the confidence

He was caught out badly last season on his CL prediction so he is hedging his bets!

[ho chi feen]

He was caught out badly last season on his CL prediction so he is hedging his bets!


heh heh heh

[Philby]

What a season Gerrard is having. 16 goals, man of the match more often than not. With his mind fully focused on Liverpool he has been, imho, the outstanding player in the premiership this year (rooney runs him pretty close). With Sissoko doing much of his leg work and Alonso taking over the raking cross-field pass duties Gerrard has been freed to absolutely terrorise defences and show that to go with his amazing strength, pace and desire he is also a fine finisher....arguably the best at the club (a message for our strikers perhaps).

WHY GERRARD IS SO IMPORTANT TO THE REDS
Patrick Barclay 16 January 2006 http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/images4/press_qoute_120.jpg When Steven Gerrard (http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/team/squad/gerrard/) pledged his future to Liverpool Football Club during the summer it was, for me, one of the best moments in recent football times.
http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/images4/160106-gerrardweek_379.gif

Obviously, it was great news for every Liverpudlian but I also think it was a good thing for English football as a whole.

There are certain players who belong at certain places. Like Alan Shearer and Newcastle, Gerrard and Liverpool are made for each other. Anfield is where his heart is. He's playing for the club he has always supported and for me that is special.

I don't think Steven is far off being considered one of Liverpool's greatest ever players already and there's no doubt that he'll go down in history as one of the all-time greats.

Gerrard is so fundamental to Liverpool's quest for future success. I'm not saying they can't win matches without him - because under Rafael Benitez they've proved they can – but the character of the team is much better with him in it.
http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/images4/160106-barclay_192_01.gifPa trick BarclayCurrent position: Sunday Telegraph, been there just over 10 years.

How long been covering Liverpool: I started covering Liverpool in the 1976-77 season when I was working as a football reporter for the Guardian and I have many happy memories, particularly the European trips with Liverpool.

Best moment covering Liverpool: It would have to be Istanbul 2005. Milan's performance was the best I have ever seen from a losing team in a European Cup final and showed you just how well Liverpool played.

Best player seen in your time covering Liverpool: Kenny Dalglish.
We saw this in Istanbul and the question you ask yourself is would Liverpool have won the European Cup without Gerrard, and indeed Jamie Carragher (http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/team/squad/carragher/), in the team?

Characters such as these can influence games at vital times. Istanbul was pure emotion. You can talk in football about money, the inevitability of players gravitating towards certain clubs and the game being talked of in business terms but what happened in Istanbul was like a chemical reaction. From the spirit shown by players like Gerrard and Carragher everything just took off. All of the Liverpool players ended up playing like demons and defended as if their lives depend on it.

If Steven had gone to another club - and let's face it almost every club in the world would have been forming a big queue to take him - then for me it would have taken some of the character away from Liverpool Football Club. I just think Anfield is a better place because he stayed and hopefully he will be at Liverpool for the rest of his career. Steven Gerrard (http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/team/squad/gerrard/) has a burning passion for Liverpool FC and that's what football is all about.

I think there's no limit to what Steven can achieve with Liverpool and England because he is a learner. I agree with Rafael Benitez when he says Steven Gerrard (http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/team/squad/gerrard/) can get even better as a footballer and I think there are clear signs that he is doing just that.

I always feel in terms of technique and heart he is right up there amongst the best but pace is his most under-rated asset. He is incredibly quick for a midfield player and it wouldn't surprise me if he's one of the quickest players at the club.

The one thing I wasn't sure about him in the past was his tactical discipline and the defensive side of his game but he has improved both these areas immensely this season.

Two or three years ago he went through a spell of committing some rash tackles and I remember him admitting, in an interview I conducted for the Sunday Telegraph, that he had to do something about it. He's also become a much more mature player and I think this stems from the public rocket Gerard Houllier gave him following the Basel game in 2002. The way he has matured as a person since then has contributed to the overall improvement in his game and from what we've seen of him this season, he's getting better and better.
http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/images4/garrsrd_29_09_qoute4 .jpgBarclay on GerrardThe Liverpool captain is in such good form at the moment that I honestly believe he can prove himself to be the best midfielder on the planet at this summer's World Cup. With Benitez transforming Liverpool into a vibrant young side and with Gerrard leading by example as their inspirational skipper there is much for Liverpudlians to look forward to.

Praise also must be attributed to Rafael Benitez because in buying Xabi Alonso (http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/team/squad/alonso/) he has solved the balance in Liverpool's midfield and Steven now has the licence to get forward and dictate the game much more than he's ever been able to do in the past.

The signing of Momo Sissoko (http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/team/squad/sissoko/) has been another inspired purchase and with such a good team around him in midfield Gerrard now doesn't have to do everything himself, allowing him to concentrate on his own game.

The Liverpool captain is in such good form at the moment that I honestly believe he can prove himself to be the best midfielder on the planet at this summer's World Cup.

With Benitez transforming Liverpool into a vibrant young side and with Gerrard leading by example as their inspirational skipper there is much for Liverpudlians to look forward to.

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/NG151152060116-1708.htm

[Arbuckle]

Went to the game on Sat and that lad has some motor on him!
Pure power!

[Rebelred]

ah Philby, don't tell me you're joining to copy and paste brigade!

[shammy feen]

Philbys first post in this thread since november....poor showing.

You can bet he wouldnt be posting at all if Gerrard was having a stinker....

[Philby]

This one is blatantly stolen from a poster on RAWK but is an interesting run-down of Gerrard's achievements over the past 12 months. I've seen as many liverpool games as anyone on here and can say, hand on heart, that Gerrard has been consistently top-notch all season and richly deserves the PFA player of the year award.

• Was man of the match, scored one, set up another, and was inspirational in captaining his hometown club to the greatest prize in European club football
• Was voted Most Valuable Player in the Champions League
• Was voted into the team of the champions league
• Was subject to an English record transfer bid, and has gained admiring glances from all of europes top sides
• Captained liverpool to one of their best premiership seasons
• Was voted player of the year by Liverpool fans, and is about to become so again
• Was voted player of the year by his fellow professionals - despite not even playing in his favoured (and many think best) position
• Became the first liverpool midfielder since barnes to score more than 20 goals in a season
• Liverpools top scorer this season
• About to captain his team in an FA Cup final
• Added a european super cup winners medal to his growing collection
• Captained his team to the World Club Championship, collecting a runner up medal in the process
• Voted runner up to Ronaldinhio in European Player of the Year poll.

[Captain Planet]

This one is blatantly stolen from a poster on RAWK but is an interesting run-down of Gerrard's achievements over the past 12 months. I've seen as many liverpool games as anyone on here and can say, hand on heart, that Gerrard has been consistently top-notch all season and richly deserves the PFA player of the year award.

• Was man of the match, scored one, set up another, and was inspirational in captaining his hometown club to the greatest prize in European club football
• Was voted Most Valuable Player in the Champions League
• Was voted into the team of the champions league
• Was subject to an English record transfer bid, and has gained admiring glances from all of europes top sides
• Captained liverpool to one of their best premiership seasons
• Was voted player of the year by Liverpool fans, and is about to become so again
• Was voted player of the year by his fellow professionals - despite not even playing in his favoured (and many think best) position
• Became the first liverpool midfielder since barnes to score more than 20 goals in a season
• Liverpools top scorer this season
• About to captain his team in an FA Cup final
• Added a european super cup winners medal to his growing collection
• Captained his team to the World Club Championship, collecting a runner up medal in the process
• Voted runner up to Ronaldinhio in European Player of the Year poll.
not one of his better seasons alright....

[ho chi feen]

Gerrard has been consistently top-notch all season and richly deserves the PFA player of the year award.

Since when has PFA player of the year ever gone to a player who 'deserves' it? The choices in recent years have been mind-numbingly conservative and unimginative. Take Henry this year as an example- for a variety of reasons, he's not had his best of seasons, his assist ratio has dropped off the radar (admittedly, he is top scorer in the league), and there would have to be at least half-a-dozen more desercing candidates. When was the last time a player outside of United/Chelski/Arse/Pool won the award?

Thinking back to one of the rare years when this was the case, 1999- David Ginola. He was almost embarrassed to receive the award, and said it probably had more to do with his cup goal against Bradford than anything else.

That said, the football writers haven't exactly been a whole lot better of late.

In short: Awards are shite.

Also, can I point out that including that line about winning the European Super Cup (the rest I've no quibble with really) demeans us all.

[xvis]

Also, can I point out that including that line about winning the European Super Cup (the rest I've no quibble with really) demeans us all.

.. and that line about becoming the first liverpool midfielder since barnes to score more than 20 goals in a season is a bit iffey an' all. ...about a dozen of those were against Total Network Solutions.

[ho chi feen]

.. and that line about becoming the first liverpool midfielder since barnes to score more than 20 goals in a season is a bit iffey an' all. ...about a dozen of those were against Total Network Solutions.

He's certainly chipped in with a few, but that's a valid point alright. Those goals don't count as goals in your Champion's League tally come the end of the season.

But I'm not denying that he's a fit candidate for the gong.

[xvis]

He's certainly chipped in with a few, but that's a valid point alright. Those goals don't count as goals in your Champion's League tally come the end of the season.

But I'm not denying that he's a fit candidate for the gong.

yeah, aside from the qualifying rounds he has 14, UEFA haven't included them in their top scorers, otherwise he'd be second only to Sheva this year. dodgy stat.

his input in winning the CL was the major factor in winning the PFA vote ahead of Rooney and the rest, ..that headed goal against AC was very similar to Keanes in Turin in terms of stature and in turning a game, together with a similar one against Olympiakos. Top player, ..although the dodgy tackles aren't exactly a thing of the distant past as Barclay says

[STEVIEG]

• Captained liverpool to one of their best premiership seasons
• Was voted player of the year by Liverpool fans, and is about to become so again
• Added a european super cup winners medal to his growing collection
• Captained his team to the World Club Championship, collecting a runner up medal in the process



Some of the original boasts were good, including the European Cup final goal (very similar to Keanes alright), and the mark of a great player


but some of these ones above are distinctly smalltime and embarassing

[ho chi feen]

Some of the original boasts were good, including the European Cup final goal (very similar to Keanes alright), and the mark of a great player


but some of these ones above are distinctly smalltime and embarassing

Actually yeah... that last one you've quoted especially. No need for it. He's a great case, but that plastic-treble type guff positively invites ridicule.

Philby, you could have sorted the wheat from the chaf before copying and pasting. No excuses lad!

[Philby]

Actually yeah... that last one you've quoted especially. No need for it. He's a great case, but that plastic-treble type guff positively invites ridicule.

Philby, you could have sorted the wheat from the chaf before copying and pasting. No excuses lad!

Perhaps, but I'm trying to hold down a full-time job. I'm pretty sure my colleagues think that PROC is my desktop 'cos everytime they see my screen i'm on it!

I also agree that the goals against the CL qualifying teams were easier to come by but when it comes down to it someone has to score those goals or you'll find yourself out of Europe in no time - ask Celtic.

[ho chi feen]

Perhaps, but I'm trying to hold down a full-time job. I'm pretty sure my colleagues think that PROC is my desktop 'cos everytime they see my screen i'm on it!

I also agree that the goals against the CL qualifying teams were easier to come by but when it comes down to it someone has to score those goals or you'll find yourself out of Europe in no time - ask Celtic.

Jaysus lad... fair play, what with being a Liverpool supporter and all.