Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard continues to receive plaudits for his England performances during Euro 2012, and with Italy to come in the quarter-final, Gerrard will need to maintain - and arguably improve - his form to ensure England progress to the semi-finals. Whatever happens though, Liverpool legend Ian Callaghan believes Gerrard has done enough to be considered one of Liverpool's three greatest players.
In an interview with LFC Magazine, Callaghan - who made an incredible 857 appearances for the Reds during a 20-year career - said:
"I think Billy Liddell compares with anyone as one of the all-time greats for Liverpool, but I always mention three players who I think are the Liverpool greats.
"Liddell certainly, Kenny Dalglish was a fantastic player and now there is Stevie G, who is a phenomenal player and would walk into any Liverpool team from over the years.
"To me those three players have been the greatest Liverpool have ever had."
I think many Liverpool fans would agree with that, but for me, John Barnes is a greater player than Gerrard, and there is no doubt (in my mind) that Barnesy would get into any LFC team in history.
I don't think the same could be said of Gerrard, and I tend to agree with Graeme Souness's take on this issue:
"I think he [Gerrard] would struggle to get into Bob Paisley's team. I don't think Gerrard would want to play in a wider area. Unless he was prepared to do that, I don't think he would dislodge Terry Mac...or latterly, Ronnie Whelan, who was a fabulous player; and he would not replace Ray Kennedy.
"Make no mistake: Steven gerrard is a genuine star. He's carried Liverpool in their recent history, and he's been absolutely magnificent, but if you're looking to get the best out of him there are only certain positions to play him".
I totally agree with that. There's no way Gerrard would dislodge Souness in Paisley's team, but John Barnes would arguably oust Steve Heighway (IMO), or indeed any other left-sided player of that era.
Jaimie Kanwar
In an interview with LFC Magazine, Callaghan - who made an incredible 857 appearances for the Reds during a 20-year career - said:
"I think Billy Liddell compares with anyone as one of the all-time greats for Liverpool, but I always mention three players who I think are the Liverpool greats.
"Liddell certainly, Kenny Dalglish was a fantastic player and now there is Stevie G, who is a phenomenal player and would walk into any Liverpool team from over the years.
"To me those three players have been the greatest Liverpool have ever had."
I think many Liverpool fans would agree with that, but for me, John Barnes is a greater player than Gerrard, and there is no doubt (in my mind) that Barnesy would get into any LFC team in history.
I don't think the same could be said of Gerrard, and I tend to agree with Graeme Souness's take on this issue:
"I think he [Gerrard] would struggle to get into Bob Paisley's team. I don't think Gerrard would want to play in a wider area. Unless he was prepared to do that, I don't think he would dislodge Terry Mac...or latterly, Ronnie Whelan, who was a fabulous player; and he would not replace Ray Kennedy.
"Make no mistake: Steven gerrard is a genuine star. He's carried Liverpool in their recent history, and he's been absolutely magnificent, but if you're looking to get the best out of him there are only certain positions to play him".
I totally agree with that. There's no way Gerrard would dislodge Souness in Paisley's team, but John Barnes would arguably oust Steve Heighway (IMO), or indeed any other left-sided player of that era.
Jaimie Kanwar
You can write hell lot of crap in a single day. Stevie G forever!
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion he would walk into any lfc team as he's the most complete footballer of all of lfc's history! In my opinion for what he has done for a club that while he's been there has never been considered best in England! He's the best we hav ever had! Because of him traore, biscan, smicer etc are champs league winners! He deserves more respect from u just for that!
ReplyDeleteIts all about timing. If Sir Bob Gave him a go and he scored one of his 35 yard screamers he could probably have dislodged half the team.
ReplyDeleteThe modern game has changed a lot, and at the pace premier league is being played now , much much more than what was then in the 70s nd 80s..i think gerrard with that much endurance for bombing up and down in modern day fast football would definitely walk into any team and certainly the few of the greatest players to grace anfield...i would rather find most of your article tremendously biased where you tend to decide things on your understanding only....Ian callaghan for me was right, but i think john barnes would make that list as well!!
ReplyDeleteI personally think he could walk into most teams in the world. At least, two years ago he could have anyway.
ReplyDeleteBest midfielder in our history, 2nd best player in our history. If he wins the league or the CL again before he retires he will be the best. Dalglish won European Cups with Rush and Souness and Gerrard won the European Cup with Biscan, Traore and Smicer. That proves that he is not overated and that it is not an exaggeration.
ReplyDeleteYou sir manage to amaze me every time I read your entries, each one as weak as the last. Your opinion seems to go against the grain almost on purpose now... As if just to promote a response, much like you have achieved might I add (I am fully aware that even posting a response to this article is contradicting my view by the way)!
ReplyDeleteWhenever I read one of your 'warbles' I find my self thinking 'why does a Manchester united supporter care so much about us?'. I will however doth my cap for this... Regardless of my dislike of your articles (not you personally) I still find myself clicking the link from newsnow... Much like you would glance uncomfortably at a car crash! So if numbers and hits are what you crave... Touché! Good day!
I watched lfc in the 50's 60's 70's and the start of the 80's before I moved to new zealand and if I would say gerrArd would make any of those teams, either wide or central and to compare wheelen with gerrard is not fair, wheelen (he had a lot of good players around him) was a good player but steve G is special, ALWAYS REMEMBER ISTANBUL AND WEMBLEY.
ReplyDeleteGerrard at his peak would deserve to be in any lfc team, all be it in his favoured position.
ReplyDeleteThe same with Barnsey, he would have to play on the left wing to get the best out of him... Goes for any other top player, u need to play them in the position that they r most effective....so I am not sure what Souness is getting at
lfc forever i grew up watching stevie..he is our hero..a super class player in an average team compare to the team of bob,in which supposely gerrad wont get a placemust have been some team..he inspired the team so many time.istanbul fa cup against west ham olympiakos..loads,,carry the team on his shoulders for years..i dont think any of those players at that the would have been able to do what he done and still doing..he is our best player for years and by miles...our captain fantastic.........
ReplyDeleteI find it hard to disagree with Callaghan, for me Stevie is one of the most complete midfielders in history, especially our own, and that is saying something. I can't see a team in our history he wouldnt get into. Imagine Gerrard playing alongside Souness. For me he is definatly top 3 in our all-time players list, and just a question on top-spot between him and Daglish.
ReplyDeleteStevie G 4ever.The best player ever in LFC.If the rest of the team were as good as him we would be nr 1.He coud have gone to a number of teams accross europe,but stayed with LFC.That's dedication,a true red forever.For me he's nr 1
ReplyDeleteneither Barnes or Heighway could lace Peter Thompsons Boots (IMO). Souness was absolute class. Cally forgets the other KK who was brilliant for us I never thought we would ever replace him then along comes KD. I think in my 40 odd years of watching them Gerrard would probably feature in my top 20 maybe just outside top ten when you consider Terry Mac, Ray Kennedy, Souness, Craig Johnson, McMahon, Whelan etc etc etc we have had some fantastic players. Did I forget adams and Henderson ??
ReplyDeleteFor me STEVIE IS THE GREATEST PLAYER BE IT ENGLAND OR LFC NOTHING MORE
ReplyDeleteGERARG CAN PLAY EVERYWHERE IN A TEAM ,LEFT BACK,RIGHT BACK,FULL BACK,GK,MIDFIELD EVERYWHERE OR STRIKER.SO WHY HE IS NOT THE GREATEST,BUT CAN DO LIKE HIM IN THE WORLD.
ReplyDeleteTo me Alonso will walk in ahead of any defensive mid position on an all time Liverpool XI with Gerrard as an attacking mid. Both Gerrard and Alonso have played in less successful teams that the Liverpool of the 80s and 70s but they are far more dynamic individual cutting edge players that the former greats. I remember Souness clearly from the 80s and I'm sorry, but looking at how Xabi Alonso has developed esp in his last season before he went to Real Madird and over his carrer there, Xabi edges out Souness for sure. I think Xabi is the most underrated talent in Liverpool's history - esp because we don't put he World and European champion in out all time Liverpool XI. There are not many Liverpool talents that have a World Cup on their CV - which is the highest standard of them all.
ReplyDeleteYour spot on Cally , as for you Jaimie " the mind boggles "
ReplyDeleteSTEVIE G IS THE BEST IN DA WORLD AND FOR EVER
ReplyDeletei think gerrard would get in any lfc side.
ReplyDeletesouness and whelan never had to play with the likes of diao and biscan beside them and still put in performances.
After Zidane is gone,there were no better midfielder than SG. Forget about Xavis or Pirlos,Stevie is evergreen.
ReplyDeleteThe fact that Gerrard can play in lots of positions doesn't make him better than Xavi/Pirlo etc. Zidane wasn't a master of all trades; he didn't play right wing etc, but does that mean he's not as good as Gerrard?! Of course not.
ReplyDeletePirlo and Xavi have have inspired both their national teams to World Cup wins (!) as well as countless european/league titles at domestic titles.
Both players are world class central midfielders, and both are superior to Gerrard in that position (IMO)
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Subject: [liverpoolkop] Re: LFC Legend raves: Gerrard is as good as these 2 'all time greats'. Exaggeration? | Liverpool-Kop.com
Clemence
ReplyDeleteLawler/Nicol
Lyndsay/Smith
Hansen Gillespie Lawrenson Yeats Hypia ETC ETC
Craig Johnson, Souness, Kennedy, Terry Mac Barnes Thompson Hughes ETCETCETC
Dalglish Rush Toshack Fowler St John ETCETC
You see Titi its not that easy to say he would be in any LFC side we have had some Fantastic Players and it was much harder for players from years ago £25 per week and make your own way to 60 odd matches. Who would you leave out from the above to play him. Stevie G IMO is one of the best 20 players LFC have had but not top 10
how old are you 6
ReplyDeleteI didn't said SG is better than these two because he can play more positions.I like Andrea very much,Xavi not that much,but I just think that Sg on his day is good as anyone on the world,EVER. Put Him ahead of Nesta,Cannavaro,behind Totti and Del Piero and he would be world champion. Put Maradona alongside Milner,Parker,Terry or whatever you want,but you'll get nothing. Stevie is player for 1950. and 2050.
ReplyDeletePlus Xavi and Pirlo playing in different positions for most of their careers. One is CM other DM. In some of recent articles you wrote that we should use Stevie now in "central midfield position like deeplying playmaker" :) I think its wrong formulation,because you are either CM or DM playmaker. Not one sporting game in the world have 2 playmakers in line up.
ReplyDeleteWhat are you on about? I said no such thing. Please don't make stuff up. I recently argued that Gerrard should play behind the striker, not as a deep lying midfielder.
ReplyDeleteSorry, but that's just gross exaggeration. Gerrard has been poor for England for his entire career, and he's playing better now but not at the level the press are suggesting.
ReplyDeleteYour point about Maradona is mind-boggling - you seem to forget that the Argentina '86 team was filled with average players, and Maradona dragged them to a World Cup triumph, and then to the World Cup final again 4 years later, not to mention his impact on a poor Napoli team in the 80s.
Gerrard has achieved nothing at International level, and just because England are in the quarter-finals doesn't mean he's now some kind of international legend.
Think it was probably bad formulation rather than your sugestion where he could play. Cos he can play anywhere:) I just hope Hendo will learn something from him. We should sell Adam,Aqua,Jay on loan,and stay with Gerro,Hendo,Luk,Jonjo and Gulfy in CMF positions
ReplyDeleteI do not agree that Gerro was always weak for England. Whenever I watched England playing he was very good. Especialy remember WC game against Ecuador,Brasil friendly etc where he doing amazing things like tackling,passing on 40m or scoring all in interval of few minutes:) And be honest,would Maradona ever won anything with England,no matter which generation,there's always greater expectations than football ability:) Even at fixed 66:) To conclude,my opinion is that Gerro is on par with true greats of the game,not just LFC.
ReplyDeleteGerrard could walk into any of the great liverpool teams from the past. It is not his fault that he was always in a mediocre, non performing team. A footballer can only be as good as his team mates. Football is a team sport. Eg. Torres is still struggling without the services of Stevie in PL.
ReplyDeleteTo make comparisons like this is absolutely ...........
Tom Ralph you are a legend well said, what Jamie fails to relize is 1) the game is a lot quicker and more demanding
ReplyDelete2) the players that Stevie has played with him in his time
3) stevie has won a lot of games off his own performances
So for these reasons i totally agree that Stevie G for me is one of the top three players in our history.
He is brilliant and i for one will always thank him for what he has done.
I've said it before and I'll say it again, Stevie G is a phenominal footballer but I'm not sure he's a great midfielder. Look at what Pirlo did to England yesterday. Stevie did what he could to break up play and put in some good tackles . However, he was unable to take the game by the scruff of hte neck and dominate it. He never had that ability I'm afraid.
ReplyDeleteDoesn't get on the ball enough and dictate the tempo of the game, doesn't have the same kind of awareness as great midfielders such as Pirlo or Xavi or Alonso, doesn't have the same drive or organisation as players like Souness, Keane, etc.
Which all begs the question, if Stevie isn't a great midfielder how will he get into this notional best ever LFC team. You can't play him 'in the hole' because that's King Kenny's role. The only place he could go is right wing in my opinion.
Again, he is a spectacular footballer, capable of great things. However, I'm always a little bemused by the plaudits he gets from fellow footballers. If he was that good, why did LFC lose games to such mediocre opposition last year and in years gone by.