18 Feb 2015

Anfield Blow? BR confirms 'incredible' Liverpool star is out of Besiktas game

Liverpool face Besiktas tomorrow in the Europa League, and one player who definitely won't be taking part in the game is 'incredible' Reds captain Steven Gerrard.

When asked during his pre-match press conference whether Gerrard will feature in tomorrow's game, Brendan Rodgers told reporters:

"No, he [Gerrard] won't have a chance tomorrow. We just have to keep assessing where Steven's at".

Liverpool's record without Gerrard this season:

* Played: 6
* Won: 4 (67%)
* Drew: 2 (33%)
* Lost: 0
* Goals For: 9 (1.5 per game)
* Goals Against: 2 (1 every 3 games)

Gerrard is Liverpool's all-time leading goalscorer in European competition, but it's clear that his influence is waning, and as harsh as it is to admit, he probably won't be missed all the much against Besiktas.

If the first-leg was away, then it might be different, but Liverpool are at Anfield, which will give the players a massive boost, and compensate (a little) for Gerrard's absence.

The real question is this: if Liverpool keep winning without Gerrard, should he go straight back into the team when he's fit again?

Rodgers often preaches about how players stay in the team on merit, but that doesn't seem to apply when it comes to the captain.

I personally see no reason to change a winning team, but you can bet your bottom dollar that Gerrard will go straight back into the first XI irrespective of results.

It could be argued that Gerrard has earned that right, but that kind of sentimental thinking can lead to mistakes, and after an awful first few months of the season, the Reds can't afford to make any more errors.

That said, if it comes down to a choice between Gerrard and Lazar Markovic in the starting XI, then it's hard to argue with replacing the Serb.

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56 comments:

  1. will sterling make the team ?

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  2. I voted 'No', because of the word 'automatic', but SG is still a massive influence on the field. We are playing well without him but if we progress in the Europa league his experience in Europe will be crucial with such a young team. Is Ibe eligible to play and has anyone considered Sturridge as a potential captain?

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  3. Late fitness test tomorrow

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  4. I want to see him play – this is his last season after all. But in Gerrard case I think less is more.

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  5. Picking players on merit is not the same as sticking with a winning team. A winning team might be improved by taking out a player and replacing him with a better one.

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  6. I would keep GJ in the subs bench role

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  7. with an upcoming busy schedule, BR needs to change the team anyway to accommodate for injuries and fatigue, so Gerrard will definitely be needed when he is healthy

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  8. I would leave Johnson on the bus!

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  9. Now I think. He is out of this match

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  10. Maybe we shouldn't leave him on the bus on his own. He might break it.

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  11. Even if he didn't he'd get the blame

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  12. He'd lose it at the first corner

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  13. Jk what do you think we should do.should we go all out for the Europa or rest our main players for the match against Southampton..prioritize which?

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  14. Markovic, Gerrard, possibly Sterling all out.


    Probably see Sturridge up top, Cou Lallana, Ibe Hendo Allen Moreno, Can Skrtel Sakho, Mig
    Bench: Ward, Lovren, Johnson, Borini, Balotelli, Enrique, Lambert

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  15. Way too much money for a benchwarmer. For half that fee maybe but considering we have Ibe, Sterling, Lallana and Couthino as well as Origi coming in, I cant see the need for him.

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  16. The good news is that Ibe is not cup tied but I don;t think he is part of the Europa squad.

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  17. yeah, probably. though i would like to see 442 or 433..

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  18. Squad for Europa was sent in Jan to UEFA if he is not on the list it is bloody criminal...

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  19. All hands on deck now. This run in of games will be key. Gerrard should not be an automatic starter but that doesn't mean he won't be needed. By the way, who thinks we'll make top 4?

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  20. I like many have read some bullshit sports reports fabricated by Jamie K but this tops the lot. Clearly Jamie is a sandwich short of a picknick. Jamie stated how wrong BR was to leave Balotelli from the starting line up against Crystal Palace but his silence in admitting how wrong he was is positively deafening. Thank god Jamie K is not managing LFC.

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  21. Good he could make a difference.

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  22. yep. And above many, by the way...

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  23. Exdogly - sorry could not resist ;-)

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  24. Yes, I would have preferred him over Lallana. But now we already have many players in his position. We have higher priorities than another winger.

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  25. Quality all over this guy sign him up to compliment sturridge sterling coutinho bring it on ynwa

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  26. Yes good team. If Sterling is fit I'd see him on the bench to start with

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  27. Having in mind the slower pace of the games in Europe, I think we should give players like lovren, Borrini, Ibe (missed the FA Cup game), lambert, Allen, and Johnson (as wing back) a chance. Though not all of them at once :)

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  28. Don't want to Jinks it, but I have a slight hunch that we will finish third (5 points away) maybe even second (10 points away). It will be clear after the next two PL matches

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  29. I've got a mate who supports Spurs constantly giving it the big un! I would love it if we get top 4.

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  30. We should have got this guy when Sanchez said no. He would have done a much better job when Sturbridge was out. Gonna be another big summer we need champions league.

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  31. If he has 32 appearances already this season, that seems like he's playing an awful lot. Perhaps not every game and perhaps not starting every appearance, but he must be heavily involved.


    With that in mind, I think he'd be a welcome addition here, albeit one that isn't entirely needed unless we can sell a few players already in the fold.

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  32. Gotcha. Maybe we'll see Ibe at wing back then.

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  33. That's what you get when you take driving lessons from Aspas.

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  34. If Barca can't buy, will they sell? Song will probably leave but will anyone else?

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  35. If Barcelona sold him and then picked up a serious injury or two, they'd look really stupid. But if some club was desperate enough to pay an £80m release clause, they'd have to sell. I'm sure they have youth players with the same quality.

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  36. Noone will ever pay that much. I took it as obvious Barca will never get more than thirty million for him.

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  37. Pedro-Suarez is common sub...

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  38. You never know with United around how much they'd pay, even though 80m would be beyond ridiculous. With the money they make already and the new tv money next year, they'll be paying stupid money for players over the next few years.

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  39. Unrelated...


    How about the more likely possibility that the World Cup will now be held in winter in Qatar?


    At what point is enough enough to get this corrupt organization cleaned up.

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  40. If we have a similar end of season run to last year, we will.

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  41. Where's Eric? We need him to make another bold and outrageous claim that we'll win the League. It amazingly almost turned out to be correct last year. In fact, I count it as correct, because predictions shouldn't account for possible disastrous slips...

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  42. The team is finally showing after over a decade of dependence that it's possible to win without him. I think Liverpool are just fine when he doesn't play although there is a gap in midfield quality that needs to be filled at some point. He'll start his fair share of games I think but this is just a sign of what he was facing next season and why he's leaving the club.

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  43. CL next season is still key in recruiting the right players. Players are not going to leave clubs like Real, Barca, Bayern or Juve to come to a Liverpool that only finishes 5th or 6th in the league. Not that there are no players out there for the club, just that the more fancied names like Pedro are unlikely to take that leap.

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  44. Simple offer to Buy Suarez back it is clear to see that he is hating it there.
    Remember what Zlatan said when his dream club Barca ended up being nightmare. (Some DREAMS ARE MEANT TO STAY DREAMS)
    Suarez is on bench behind Messi Neymar at Liverpool he is legend .
    In life we all make mistakes ,

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  45. Would he be as effective as Balotelli?
    And then some! there is no competition as far as Origi, or Lallana are concerned, he is a first class very intelligent attacker and if we pulled this off it would be a master class.
    Unfortunately that is exactly why it will not happen, he is a little bit too proven and (27) to make sense for our current 8 man transfer board!
    We are going to need a balance of old heads who have a brain, to match the speedsters and he will fit the bill just nicely!
    I hope Stevie 'G' can entice Ian Ayre to lap up the L.A sunshine for a few years, starting in May!
    Micah Richards for right back with no money spent, Can to move into Stevie 'G' position, minor tweaks over the next few years, one promise though....

    Please get rid of Sakho! my heart will not make it another year!
    Y.N.W.A....

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  46. Joel Matt Murdock Hwa4:08 am, February 19, 2015

    I'd understand why BR chose Lallana ahead of Pedro. Lallana is proven in EPL and to bring in Pedro is a risk despite his impressive goal/assist rate. However, personally I still rate Pedro and would have no doubt he will fit into our current team nicely.

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  47. Good grief. Sign him already. Unless the club has a deal with the papers to have this rumour in the gossip section until Pedro retires.

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  48. Given Gerrard's waning influence, the only prblem is BR thinks it means Hendo must play always instead

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  49. ...in which case, if he's better than what you have, you buy him and sell the weakest player in that position. You improve every area, as the opportunity arises.
    We have players in every position already, but NONE of them couldn't be improved on.
    The priority should be to have the best possible players in every position and we definitely don't have them in any position.

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  50. Can't have too many good players on the books, wouldn't want to pay a ridiculous fee though.

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  51. Pair him with Sturruidge as Striker...


    Still would take Lacazette over him though...

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