Liverpool FC Forum

[Ciggy]

There can be only one boss at Liverpool — and it's not you, Gerrard

Daily Mail

Sir Bobby Robson

It may seem strange to say it but having superstar players can bring its own problems. Because of their talent and drive, people sometimes tend to focus on them to the exclusion of the rest of the team. It's a point that I'm sure will be made today when Liverpool meet Arsenal.

hereas Arsene Wenger has shown there is life after Thierry Henry, Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez is under more pressure than at any time since his first season. And that pressure is intensified every time he makes a decision about his very famous captain, Steven Gerrard.

My view is that Gerrard is a great player; one of my favourites, in fact. But no individual is bigger than the club and this is the time for Stevie to ask 'What can I do for Liverpool?', not 'What can they do for me?'.

That means accepting any role in the team that Benitez feels is right. And showing positive body language whether he plays 90 minutes or not. We've seen how big players can detract from what a manager is trying to do.

Dimitar Berbatov undermined Martin Jol at Spurs with his behaviour at Newcastle on Monday, Henry's apparent disenchantment was highlighted by Arsenal-watchers last season and Gerrard has always made his opinions clear about where he wants to play.

Last Saturday, Benitez took him off and the move worked because Liverpool beat Everton. And yet the manager was still criticised because he had dared to take off the talisman.


I know how he feels. I once left Alan Shearer out of a UEFA Cup match. We went through comfortably, so it was the right decision because Shearer had rest before our next game.

But Alan's exclusion became the story, rather than us winning the tie. It can be frustrating for a manager because the ethic should always be: 'The team comes first'. And in that respect, there was no one better than Shearer.

Gerrard is probably regarded with Kenny Dalglish as Liverpool's greatest ever player and while he has earned that respect because of his fabulous displays, it comes with a responsibility. Players like Henry, Shearer and Gerrard nearly always have strong personalities. It's probably what made them great in the first place.

Superstars have control over certain things; they use their voice to make suggestions about the team and others will look to them in the dressing room.

In the worst-case scenario, they can overstep the mark and start thinking they are the boss — when they are a long way from it. When they become managers, they will realise the problems that come with a powerful player.

I am not saying Gerrard is deliberately undermining Benitez, but his apparent willingness to give an opinion is not exactly helping. Stevie should be aware of the influence he has, and now is the time to use that influence to back the manager in a trying time.

The best managers realise quickly when there is possible conflict with a big-name player and they act decisively to make sure everyone knows who is in charge.

Sir Alex Ferguson has done it often, most notably with David Beckham and Roy Keane, while Wenger dealt with the Henry situation for the good of the club.

Henry was a sensational player for Arsenal and enhanced the Premier League. But Wenger was not afraid of him. I don't know if Arsene thought Henry saw himself as the most important person at Arsenal but the fact is, he was prepared to sell him.

On the evidence so far, with Henry removed, Arsenal look a better collective unit.I am not sure if that's relief because Henry dominated situations, but it has worked.

I hope Liverpool fans realise that and back Rafa when he deals with Gerrard. I am sure the Liverpool captain is a long way from leaving Anfield, but it is important the manager is in charge and is backed by the board and the fans.

Rafa was brave in taking Gerrard off at Everton because he would have been severely criticised had Liverpool not won.

But they did win, and I am not sure why Gerrard had to go and see his manager to ask why he had been subbed. Would Dirk Kuyt, Javier Mascherano or any other player do that?

Gerrard has got his wish to play in the middle this season. He was quite outspoken about that last season, although Benitez was quick to point out that the decision was made because Liverpool lacked flank players — not because he didn't think Gerrard was good enough in the middle.

I think Rafa appreciates what Stevie has done for the club and the talents he brings to the team. But he is not bigger than the club — and, if they want to emulate Manchester United and Arsenal, and win the Premier League, all Liverpool fans should remember that.

Well said Bobby.

[Lando_Griffin]

Sensible words from a sensible man.

[zarababe]

Absolutely spot on observation by a respected man of the game ! - i hope someone emails it to Gerrard - if he did go and see the gaffer about it he needs a slap !

[Mikz]

Now Now you sitting with Diego pics there -if Gerrard needs slapped for that - Maradona needed shootin!!

Hes doting that man! Aye ya left Shearer out becos he was resting for the next game and the reason was -he was ancient by then - probably needed it and a genuinely good reason eh !
  If what they say is true , and he did knock Rafas door then I believe he did the right thing. The reason for the uproar about it Bobby was becos it was such a STRANGE decision If he was playing bad , or tired ...too much passion ? WTF?? He a Legend!!
Lesser talented players than him 'and there are many' have done it ..so...
It all worked out well -just dont be tryin that one again.
 

[woof woof !]

In case some of you have forgotten, Gerrard is our best player and rated by people in the game as one of the best midfielders in the world, in addition he's also our club captain and has every right to discuss with his manager decisions made in a game. It was only a season or two ago that Benitez was claiming that he and "Stevie" worked closely together and he hoped that one day Stevie could go on and become a great manager at LFC. I see absolutely nothing wrong with Gerrard being disappointed at being subbed in a local derby with the bitters. In addition to all that so what if Gerrard has openly stated which position he prefers , the fella has played and given his all in each and every role Benitez has put him.
Bobby Robsons teetering on the brink of Alzheimers and you support his observations on our captains conduct. F'ucking laughable.

[Mikz]

Exactly Woof -hes given Rafa all he can give , supported his new signings and much more.
Maybe if Rafa returned the compliment , and supported him a bit more we'd see an ever better Gerrard, Fergie openly put Roy Keane on a pedestal and it didnt do him any harm.
All the comments about him being bigger than the club are not fair on him at all.

[Ace Ventura]

I think Gerrard deserves a huge amount of credit for his handling of what must of been a really difficult and also humiliating experience.
He came out the day after the derby saying all the right things, admitting he was disappointed but pointing out that Lucas almost scored the winner. He then said he would not be banging on the managers door but would want a chat to see the reasoning behind the decision, probably to try and make sure he doesnt make the same mistakes again.
Thats what any top player should do, he obviously wasnt doing something that Rafa wanted but nobody else could see any problem in how he was performing, but seeing as though Rafa is the boss to save not carrying out the managers instructions again he wanted to speak with him to clear up any future problems or misunderstandings.

Since then he has appeared to perform far better, he gave the ball away a bit too often in Turkey but got better as the game went on, then again performed really well yesterday scoring another very good goal.

Too many people are quick to jump on a stevie's not bigger than the club bandwagon, our skipper doesnt deserve that. Especially this week when he has done f'ck all wrong.

[Sabre]

In case some of you have forgotten, Gerrard is our best player and rated by people in the game as one of the best midfielders in the world, in addition he's also our club captain and has every right to discuss with his manager decisions made in a game. It was only a season or two ago that Benitez was claiming that he and "Stevie" worked closely together and he hoped that one day Stevie could go on and become a great manager at LFC. I see absolutely nothing wrong with Gerrard being disappointed at being subbed in a local derby with the bitters. In addition to all that so what if Gerrard has openly stated which position he prefers , the fella has played and given his all in each and every role Benitez has put him.
Bobby Robsons teetering on the brink of Alzheimers and you support his observations on our captains conduct. F'ucking laughable.

We all know and acknowledge Gerrard's a great player.

The point is it's not a sin to sit him down if the team requires it.

Torres is also a very good striker, but Crouch did a very good job when he came in.

The point is not to discuss Gerrard's quality, but stating that it's not madness to sit down him. It has happened with Raul, Ronaldinho, Beckham and Zidane. Why should it be different with Gerrard?

[woof woof !]

The point is Sabre that irrespective of his footballing ability, although it may not be a sin to sit ANY player down, equally it is not a sin for the  club captain post match to discuss some of the decisions made with his manager.

I don't see why some people are taking issue with that.

[66-1112520797]

The point is Sabre that irrespective of his footballing ability, although it may not be a sin to sit ANY player down, equally it is not a sin for the  club captain post match to discuss some of the decisions made with his manager.

I don't see why some people are taking issue with that.

[stmichael]

We all love Sir Bobby. But I would disagree with him on the 'having a word' subject. I think it's important for communication and understanding, and I think it's a good sign that players are upset when they are taken off or not selected - as long as the manager takes the time to respond and explain fully his rationale. Even if the player doesn't agree, he will have been given an explanation. It has happened since the days of Shankly (and probably before), and it should continue to happen. What I don't agree with is having the discussion in public, but with the press hankering after a quote it's easy to see how these things can find themselves in the papers.

[taff]

The funny thing is that I agrre with everything Bobby says but at the same time am fed up with the continuing debate regarding Gerrard.

I get the impression that SG and Rafa respect each other but will not be lifelong friends and SG is well within his rights to ask why was he taken off.  I do think he does run about a bit too much and probably against Rafas plans but this does tend to contribute more than it detracts.

While I agrre in principle with the debate I cant see any big deal really in the substitution apart from the media again looking for an argument between Rafa and the captain.  Rafa wanted to try Lucas for a different tactic, ok lots of us might not agree with taking SG off but Rafa did and we did score from it, albeit it is a clutching at straws argument but the straws are there to be clutched at.

The captain and a scouser in a mersey derby looked unhappy with this, well any other reaction would have totally mystified me.  I have played low level rugby in derbies with one man and a dog watching and no player wants to be taken off or left out cos it is a personal war type game.  And is this the same "moody" SG that was jumping up and down after the penalty won us the game.

Isnt it the same captain who has plyed in all types of positions, of course he prefers the one that he thinks he is best at.  Who in any job doesnt want to do what he excels at.

I dont think there is a rift apart from the European British debate where we like blood and thunder and they like a tactical calmer aproach to the game.  I honstly think that SG needs to improve but his blood and thunder ways puts him as one of the best midfielders in the world.  Look at Fabregas yesterday, imagine him with SG's heart.  But I think it is easier to get SG to become more team tactically aware than it would be to make a calmer player more passionate and aggresive and there I have sympathy with Benitez. His way of thinking must make him see a player who could without any argument whatsoever be the best footballer in the world while now we have a player who is one of the best.

Like I said I agrre with Sir Bobby in principle but in this case its more of the same with the looking for problems between SG and Rafa

[stmichael]

The funny thing is that I agrre with everything Bobby says but at the same time am fed up with the continuing debate regarding Gerrard.

I get the impression that SG and Rafa respect each other but will not be lifelong friends and SG is well within his rights to ask why was he taken off.  I do think he does run about a bit too much and probably against Rafas plans but this does tend to contribute more than it detracts.

While I agrre in principle with the debate I cant see any big deal really in the substitution apart from the media again looking for an argument between Rafa and the captain.  Rafa wanted to try Lucas for a different tactic, ok lots of us might not agree with taking SG off but Rafa did and we did score from it, albeit it is a clutching at straws argument but the straws are there to be clutched at.

The captain and a scouser in a mersey derby looked unhappy with this, well any other reaction would have totally mystified me.  I have played low level rugby in derbies with one man and a dog watching and no player wants to be taken off or left out cos it is a personal war type game.  And is this the same "moody" SG that was jumping up and down after the penalty won us the game.

Isnt it the same captain who has plyed in all types of positions, of course he prefers the one that he thinks he is best at.  Who in any job doesnt want to do what he excels at.

I dont think there is a rift apart from the European British debate where we like blood and thunder and they like a tactical calmer aproach to the game.  I honstly think that SG needs to improve but his blood and thunder ways puts him as one of the best midfielders in the world.  Look at Fabregas yesterday, imagine him with SG's heart.  But I think it is easier to get SG to become more team tactically aware than it would be to make a calmer player more passionate and aggresive and there I have sympathy with Benitez. His way of thinking must make him see a player who could without any argument whatsoever be the best footballer in the world while now we have a player who is one of the best.

Like I said I agrre with Sir Bobby in principle but in this case its more of the same with the looking for problems between SG and Rafa

The two quite clearly don't really get on, especially when you consider the relationship that Stevie had with Houllier when he was manager. I mean if you've read Gerrard's book you'll know that whilst he's a brilliant player, he's still an extremely insecure individual who comes across as needing an arm put around him every now and again. Houllier was almost a father figure to Gerrard in this respect.

I still maintain to this day that Rafa would have sold Gerrard to Chelsea if he could have got £35m for him and then brought in a couple of quality replacements. Gerrard is a world class player but is not a Rafa Benitez style player, especially as a central midfielder. Infact I think Benitez sees him as somewhat of a luxury, cue his constant changing of position, especially last season. Benitez has always played with two disciplined central midfielders and then relied on his wide players and front men to provide the ammunition. This worked a treat two seasons ago when Gerrard was scoring goals for fun and we even saw evidence of it yesterday with Alonso and Mascherano having their best games of the season and Gerrard marauding all over the place.

I'm not saying Gerrard can't be a disciplined central midfielder but it's certainly not his natural instinct. Everything he does is 100 miles an hour which can leave us exposed at times. With Pennant being out for 2 months I was thinking that we'd see another sustained spell with Gerrard on the right but now Alonso and Mascherano are injured I'm not so sure.

[Leonmc0708]

I think Gerrard deserves a huge amount of credit for his handling of what must of been a really difficult and also humiliating experience.

Cant agree with that mate.

Deserves credit for doing his job ?

He is the captain and we should have expected NOTHING less from him in terms of response.

Also I dont understand how it is humiliating to be substituted in a game of football. Have you ever played mate ?

[Mikz]

To be substituted in a normal game for all the normal reasons, isnt humiliating at all.
But to sub the captain , main influence and best player against the old enemy , when he is playing well , showing way too much passion and surrounded by players with 2 left feet is extracting the michael somewhat.