On Sunday afternoon Steven Gerrard played his last match for Liverpool against top four rivals Chelsea. Despite being verbally abused throughout the match, when he was subbed off all of Stamford Bridge were on their feet to applaud a man whose loyalty to his club came even before the prospect of winning the trophies his talent deserved.
Gerrard had the chance to join Chelsea ten years ago when Jose Mourinho was serving his first term with the club. As we all know, he refused and Chelsea have since gone on to win numerous trophies in both England and Europe. The midfielder, although he has won a few minor awards, has never claimed the Premier League crown, the only title to have eluded him all these years.
Despite his vital contributions to Liverpool, which have spanned over two decades of dedicated service, Gerrard will be on his way to MLS side Los Angeles Galaxy in July, even though he has proven that he is still an important player for the Reds this season.
Ideally he would have continued to play a minor role for Liverpool until he retired from football altogether, and then took up a coaching role with the Merseyside club. But due to a ridiculous lack of communication, the 34-year-old was not offered the possibility of a contract extension until he’d already agreed terms with the Galaxy.
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Supporters should feel hard done by as although you can’t deny that Gerrard is no spring chicken, he is still hugely influential – a living legend. Just last weekend the Reds needed a win against Chelsea to keep their slim top four chances alive and despite having many youngsters in their starting X,I it was the elder statesman who found space in the box to put away a free header.
Raheem Sterling, who is holding out for a huge pay rise this summer because he feels he is so important for the Reds, failed to replicate Gerrard’s heroics and the match ended 1-1. A decent result for the champions but just one point means there will not be Champions League football for Liverpool next season, which ultimately costs the club both loss of revenue and the appeal they need to draw in top signings.
Jordan Henderson has been hailed as the new Gerrard in the past, but that is a huge weight to lay on the 24-year-old’s shoulders. Gerrard is synonymous with Liverpool, while Henderson who joined four years ago is still developing himself – so surely he doesn’t yet have the experience needed to influence the entire squad.
As vice-captain Henderson is slowly learning the skills he’ll need if he does indeed take on the captain’s armband permanently, but I still don’t think he has what it takes to replace the England international. Gerrard has seen and done so much throughout his career and supporters love having someone who lives and breathes the club just like they do.
This quality is hard to find in a player nowadays, and therefore difficult to replace. Henderson is a fine midfielder but he is not, and probably will never be, considered on the level Gerrard has found himself.
Gerrard shouldn’t be leaving for LA and the Premier League will miss having one of the most loyal and dedicated players the league has ever known. Liverpool will miss him even more and their next few years without him are looking bleaker than they perhaps would have if they had only made the smart decision to lock him down to a contract last summer.
You only have to look at how successful John Terry is with Chelsea to see that talent and experience is more important than age.
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