stu_the_red wrote:Why don't people pick up on the fact that Steven Gerrard gives the ball away a rediculous amount of times trying stupid passes and panicing during games? His ball retention at the best of times is slightly above average but so far this season and against Bolton in the last game i can honestly say i think he's passed to the opposition more times than someone on his own team...
Danny Murphy used to get slated for this every game... why don't people say the same about Gerrard who is far worse in this area of his game?
I agree 100% with Stu and as good as Stevie is, his eagerness to hit first time balls detracts from his game.
I am blue in the face arguing that Stevie is not perfect (although he is very, very good) and for every world class ball he made to the head or toe of Michael Owen last year which earned all the plaudits on Match of the Day, there were at least 20 balls that went no where, or worse, straight to an opposition player.
Gerrard is POTENTIALLY one of the best in the world and he has apsects to his game that few if any other players have, but Benitez has warned him that he must improve his distribution and also to be more crafty with his runs.
If Stevie learned to hold possession and pass the ball short 90% of the time and only hit his laser like long balls a couple of times a game he would become probably the most dominant midfielder in the world.
Danny Murphy split Liverpool fans' opinions, and while he had his faults and weaknesses, Stevie (and for a long while, Riise) was far more guilty of wasting possession than Danny.
If Stevie could incorporate Danny's short passing ability into his game (which shouldn't be hard) then we really would have a titan in midfield.
You're right on the money here, Stu.
