Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has said that he can see captain Steven Gerrard playing in a deeper role for the Reds as the season progresses.
Speaking after his team’s impressive 5-3 victory away at Stoke City in which Gerrard lined up in a deeper role than usual, Rodgers was asked if it was something he would use more in the future? “He has got the personality to play in that controlling role,” said Rodgers.
“He gives us great variety in his passing. We saw today he picked it up from deep and stretched the game with his vision and quality.”
Rodgers added: “He’s someone who fits the profile of that role; he does it a bit more with England.
“I have spoken to him a lot about it and it was just about timing. We saw today that he played really well. Steven showed great leadership as well.”
Rodgers also said he would like to strengthen that area if he can in this transfer window but he believes that Gerrard is more than capable of filling that role should the need arise.
My thoughts are that Liverpool are desperate for a new defensive midfielder, Gerrard is not the answer to that problem and neither is Lucas Leiva. It was telling that Rodger chose Gerrard for that role over Leiva yesterday and it does not bode well for Leiva’s long term future in the first X1 as Joe Allen is far more effective than him in the more advanced midfield position alongside Jordan Henderson.
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