by The Ace1983 » Wed Sep 20, 2006 11:39 pm
The obvious and correct answer is "yes" and perhaps I should have rephrased the question, but since the arrival of Sissoko last season, things have definitely changed. Momo isn't the only catalyst for this change but he is a factor.
Let me take you back in time (think of your screen going all wavey and some chimes being played in the background) to the dark days at the end of Houllier's reign. Life sucked. Well, not really but more comparitively. We were relying on three strikers: Owen, Heskey and Baros. One kept getting injured, one played like a donkey and the other, while showing some promise, could only pray for injuries to keep the other two out of the team. Anelka might have been there too, but the older frenchman seemed to forget about the younger frenchman as soon as he arrived. And where was Stevie G? While Keane and Viera carried on the same tired battle, our Steve began to eclipse them both. He drove a weakened midfield from back to front, covering every blade of grass and seldom putting a foot wrong.
When Rafa arrived Gerrard's star continued to rise. He almost single handedly dragged a team, labelled by many neutrals as second rate, to the European Cup. And with Alonso, he formed a match winning partnership. Despite the controversy which would soon rase its ugly head around his possible move to Chelsea.
Losing Gerrard to Stamford Bridge would have been unbareable and would probably have denied us 3rd place and (just saw Xabi's goal against the toon! What a cracker! Legend!) the FA cup as well. But Sissoko then turned up and though it took some time for him to really make an impact, he soon merited his "(not) the next Viera" title. And because of this emergance and Houllier's prior destruction of our wings, Gerrard found himself more on the right or supporting a striker which allowed him some freedom to roam and concentrate on attack. He scored the goals that our indifferent strikers just couldn't.
But things have changed. Alonso and Sissoko have almost become a pair too good to discard. They compliment each other perfectly. When Gerrard becomes part of the equation something disapears and though he brings a lot, balance seems to leave. Rafa as ensured we have some right sided cover and second striker opportunities will be limited with our more accomplished, promising and talented strike force.
But there will always be a part to play for Gerrard. He is impossible to leave out as he gives so, so much to Liverpool. He can play anywhere and he'll always give a top class performance. So do we WANT Steven Gerrard? Of course we do! It would be crazy to say no and any club would give their entire budget to get hold of him.
But when Chelsea came calling, the thought of losing him was almost terrifying. He was our only, truely top class player. But is that still the case? Is he still as vital as he was? Because of the Alonso/Sissoko partnership, because of the improved strikers, because of Carragher's cult status and world beating form and because of the way the team now opperates, he is no longer the one shining light in our ranks.
I've even occasionally, and I can't believe this myself, thought he was just in the team because of who he is. He's so good, but it looks like Rafa is sometimes trying to fit him in more than build the team around him. If he went, he would undoubtably be missed greatly, but it seems to me that the situation would not be so desperate. He's still a great influence, but he is no longer the only one.
This is not meant to be a negative post about Gerrard who is still amazing and a hero in my eyes. Instead it is a tribute to Rafa and Liverpool for repairing the damage done by Houllier who, had he still been in charge would probably by now have our club slugging it out with Wolves and Cardiff in the Championship. Going from a single bright light, we now have many with exciting young players and a broader net to catch more talent. Gerrard is surrounded by players who are ready, willing and able to play the beautiful game to the standards that we, and he, expect.
I never want him to leave and I doubt any other fan of this club would disagree with that sentiment. He is going to be at least top 3 in the "100 players who shook the Kop" and he warrents that place. But what I'm saying here is that should he ever leave, I wouldn't be as mortified as I would have been should he have left before... yep that sentance makes sense. We are growing and getting better. And that is very nice. Very nice indeed. Ste Gerrard is indeed big and he is certainly funking hard, but he is no longer the only one. I'm off to watch Alonso's goal again (and again and again and again).
