Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel has failed in his bid to overturn a three-match suspension for standing on Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea.
The Slovakia international appealed to an independent panel sitting in judgement on the matter on the basis his action was accidental and not intentional.
Skrtel will serve an immediate suspension, meaning he misses league games at Arsenal and home to Newcastle either side of the FA Cup quarter-final replay at Sky Bet Championship side Blackburn.
The defender was charged on the basis of video evidence after referee Martin Atkinson missed the incident in the last seconds of Sunday's 2-1 defeat at Anfield.
Skrtel chased a through-ball as 10-man Liverpool searched for a late equaliser, but De Gea slid in to get there first and the defender continued his run and stood on the goalkeeper's right shin.
A three-man panel of former elite officials reviewed the footage independently of each other and unanimously agreed the offence warranted a red card and, despite Skrtel's protestations, a subsequent ban will now be imposed.
In a statement the Football Association confirmed the punishment, saying: "Liverpool's Martin Skrtel will serve a three-match suspension with immediate effect after a charge of violent conduct against him was found proven.
"The defender had denied the charge which related to an on-field incident involving Manchester United's David de Gea in the 95th minute of Sunday's game which was not seen by the match officials but caught on video.
"However, an Independent Regulatory Commission hearing today found the charge proven."
Comments are retrospectively moderated. Some could be subject to delays before publication. They must obey the
.
Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel has failed in his bid to overturn a three-match suspension for standing on Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea.
The Slovakia international appealed to an independent panel sitting in judgement on the matter on the basis his action was accidental and not intentional.
Skrtel will serve an immediate suspension, meaning he misses league games at Arsenal and home to Newcastle either side of the FA Cup quarter-final replay at Sky Bet Championship side Blackburn.
The defender was charged on the basis of video evidence after referee Martin Atkinson missed the incident in the last seconds of Sunday's 2-1 defeat at Anfield.
Skrtel chased a through-ball as 10-man Liverpool searched for a late equaliser, but De Gea slid in to get there first and the defender continued his run and stood on the goalkeeper's right shin.
A three-man panel of former elite officials reviewed the footage independently of each other and unanimously agreed the offence warranted a red card and, despite Skrtel's protestations, a subsequent ban will now be imposed.
In a statement the Football Association confirmed the punishment, saying: "Liverpool's Martin Skrtel will serve a three-match suspension with immediate effect after a charge of violent conduct against him was found proven.
"The defender had denied the charge which related to an on-field incident involving Manchester United's David de Gea in the 95th minute of Sunday's game which was not seen by the match officials but caught on video.
"However, an Independent Regulatory Commission hearing today found the charge proven."
Comments are retrospectively moderated. Some could be subject to delays before publication. They must obey the
.
The Football Supporters’ Federation (FSF) will lead a demonstration of fans in central London tomorrow (Thursday 26th March 2015) as they lobby the Premier League shareholders meeting for a greater share of TV wealth.
The FSF will deliver an open letter to all Premier League clubs arguing for cheaper tickets for home and away fans and a fairer distribution of football’s wealth throughout the Football League, non-league, and grassroots.
The Premier League has recently signed a new media deal worth £5.14bn for the domestic rights alone, an increase of £2.14bn. The increase alone equates to more than £40 for every single fan, at every single game, over the course of the three year deal.
FSF chief executive Kevin Miles said:
“Football has never had more money yet fans can still face absurd prices while further down the pyramid clubs struggle to survive and grassroots football is under resourced.
“During the past 20 years football has been flooded with money, delivering huge reward for owners, agents, and players. This time we want to see fans benefit too.
“This colossal TV deal gives clubs a tremendous opportunity to give something back – they can easily afford to drop ticket prices and make football affordable for all.
“Fans of all clubs should back the ‘Share TV Wealth’ campaign for the good of the game.”
As well as the call for cheaper tickets for home fans, the FSF would also like to see clubs acknowledge the trials and tribulations of travelling supporters.
In a letter co-signed by fan groups from every Premier League club, supporters ask for an increase in the Away Fans Initiative, more engagement on how that money is spent, all away fans to automatically qualify for Category C pricing, and an end to reduced away allocations and “inferior accommodation”.
Fans will gather outside the main entrance of Le Méridien (21 Piccadilly, London, W1J 0BH) on Thursday 26th March (midday). At the end of the demonstration at around 1pm, a delegation of fans will hand over an open letter to each of the shareholder clubs via a Premier League official.
Comments are retrospectively moderated. Some could be subject to delays before publication. They must obey the
.
The Football Supporters’ Federation (FSF) will lead a demonstration of fans in central London tomorrow (Thursday 26th March 2015) as they lobby the Premier League shareholders meeting for a greater share of TV wealth.
The FSF will deliver an open letter to all Premier League clubs arguing for cheaper tickets for home and away fans and a fairer distribution of football’s wealth throughout the Football League, non-league, and grassroots.
The Premier League has recently signed a new media deal worth £5.14bn for the domestic rights alone, an increase of £2.14bn. The increase alone equates to more than £40 for every single fan, at every single game, over the course of the three year deal.
FSF chief executive Kevin Miles said:
“Football has never had more money yet fans can still face absurd prices while further down the pyramid clubs struggle to survive and grassroots football is under resourced.
“During the past 20 years football has been flooded with money, delivering huge reward for owners, agents, and players. This time we want to see fans benefit too.
“This colossal TV deal gives clubs a tremendous opportunity to give something back – they can easily afford to drop ticket prices and make football affordable for all.
“Fans of all clubs should back the ‘Share TV Wealth’ campaign for the good of the game.”
As well as the call for cheaper tickets for home fans, the FSF would also like to see clubs acknowledge the trials and tribulations of travelling supporters.
In a letter co-signed by fan groups from every Premier League club, supporters ask for an increase in the Away Fans Initiative, more engagement on how that money is spent, all away fans to automatically qualify for Category C pricing, and an end to reduced away allocations and “inferior accommodation”.
Fans will gather outside the main entrance of Le Méridien (21 Piccadilly, London, W1J 0BH) on Thursday 26th March (midday). At the end of the demonstration at around 1pm, a delegation of fans will hand over an open letter to each of the shareholder clubs via a Premier League official.
Comments are retrospectively moderated. Some could be subject to delays before publication. They must obey the
.
Former Liverpool winger John Barnes has warned Raheem Sterling about setting his ambitions too high, too soon.
The 20-year-old is currently locked in contract negotiations with the Reds after rejecting what manager Brendan Rodgers described as an “incredible” offer, reportedly £100,000-a-week.
Barnes believes it would be a mistake, however, for Sterling to go looking for a multi-million pound move before he has properly proved himself.
“I would advise any young player who has been in the game for one or one and half years to stay and learn his trade,” he told talkSPORT.
“Show consistency over a four or five-year period before you make a big move, because then he will be judged as a £50million player.
“I don’t think he is ready for a move to Real Madrid, Barcelona or Manchester City.
“As a Liverpool fan I want him to stay but I think himself he needs to be very careful.
“Unfortunately the bad advice often sounds the most lucrative and therefore the best advice.
“Has he been playing consistently well over a long time? No he hasn’t and maybe his form has suffered because of the whole situation about that (contract).”
Barnes said recent history is littered with examples of poor decisions and failures by young players and he did not want Sterling to make the same mistake.
“We saw it with Scott Sinclair and Jack Rodwell, who both went to Man City. Where are they now?” he added.
“I think any young player should show a level of consistency where you are happy and people accept you and then if you want to put yourself under pressure by making a big money move do that – because it can all go wrong.
“I think [he needs] another two or three years at Liverpool and if he then decides he wants to move on then fine.”
While Sterling is still trying to establish himself as one of Liverpool’s top players, one of their very best – Steven Gerrard – will be leaving in the summer to join Los Angeles Galaxy.
There have been suggestions the Reds captain’s legacy has been tarnished somewhat by his senseless sending-off against Manchester United last Sunday, coming a year after his slip against Chelsea played a huge part in the club missing out on the title.
Barnes, however, dismissed such talk. “Steven Gerrard and Kenny Dalglish are the two greatest players for Liverpool,” he said.
“Nothing has changed because he got sent off against Manchester United and nothing will change in the rest for the season.”
Comments are retrospectively moderated. Some could be subject to delays before publication. They must obey the
.
Former Liverpool winger John Barnes has warned Raheem Sterling about setting his ambitions too high, too soon.
The 20-year-old is currently locked in contract negotiations with the Reds after rejecting what manager Brendan Rodgers described as an “incredible” offer, reportedly £100,000-a-week.
Barnes believes it would be a mistake, however, for Sterling to go looking for a multi-million pound move before he has properly proved himself.
“I would advise any young player who has been in the game for one or one and half years to stay and learn his trade,” he told talkSPORT.
“Show consistency over a four or five-year period before you make a big move, because then he will be judged as a £50million player.
“I don’t think he is ready for a move to Real Madrid, Barcelona or Manchester City.
“As a Liverpool fan I want him to stay but I think himself he needs to be very careful.
“Unfortunately the bad advice often sounds the most lucrative and therefore the best advice.
“Has he been playing consistently well over a long time? No he hasn’t and maybe his form has suffered because of the whole situation about that (contract).”
Barnes said recent history is littered with examples of poor decisions and failures by young players and he did not want Sterling to make the same mistake.
“We saw it with Scott Sinclair and Jack Rodwell, who both went to Man City. Where are they now?” he added.
“I think any young player should show a level of consistency where you are happy and people accept you and then if you want to put yourself under pressure by making a big money move do that – because it can all go wrong.
“I think [he needs] another two or three years at Liverpool and if he then decides he wants to move on then fine.”
While Sterling is still trying to establish himself as one of Liverpool’s top players, one of their very best – Steven Gerrard – will be leaving in the summer to join Los Angeles Galaxy.
There have been suggestions the Reds captain’s legacy has been tarnished somewhat by his senseless sending-off against Manchester United last Sunday, coming a year after his slip against Chelsea played a huge part in the club missing out on the title.
Barnes, however, dismissed such talk. “Steven Gerrard and Kenny Dalglish are the two greatest players for Liverpool,” he said.
“Nothing has changed because he got sent off against Manchester United and nothing will change in the rest for the season.”
Comments are retrospectively moderated. Some could be subject to delays before publication. They must obey the
.
Robbie Deighan pens a response to the reaction received by a recent piece on Steven Gerrard which explained why his individual career has been greater than that of Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs.
On Tuesday, a piece by journalist Ian Herbert for BT Sport attracted attention on social media, mainly from Manchester United fans and others with a disdain for all things Liverpool.
The frothing mobs, having clearly not read what Herbert had to say, quickly and repeatedly pointed out the gap in Gerrard’s medal collection. The United duo’s haul of gold was held up against Gerrard’s and there really is no comparison. In terms of club honours Giggs and Scholes have obviously had the better and more successful careers, of that there is no debate.
Of course, journalists almost never write the headlines for their own work. That task usually falls to a copy editor or some other member of the editorial team. And in this particular case, whoever headlined Herbert’s article has misrepresented the point of the piece.
The journalist’s argument is nicely summarised in his concluding paragraph:
“Reaching great individual heights with a stellar team, as Giggs and Scholes did, is one thing. Reaching them with a side which so often has been modest and moribund is something quite different. Supporters will chant and laugh and mock but Gerrard’s accomplishments are greater than those of Giggs and Scholes – whose names they laud.”
Yet, even Football365’s usually excellent Mediawatch feature failed to grasp the writer’s point when it described that very closing statement as “the most astonishing paragraph you will read today” and quipped that “supporters aren’t the only ones chanting and laughing and mocking, Ian.”
The use of the word individual seems to be lost on many because there’s certainly nothing astonishing about believing that Gerrard’s individual accomplishments surpasses Giggs and Scholes’.
Just as the Liverpool captain’s relative lack of club medals can be used to suggest he had an inferior club career to the United pair, so too can the Scouser’s plethora of individual honours be used to argue that yes, he has in fact reached greater individual heights than the aforementioned veterans.
Jamie Carragher was asked on Twitter the other day who he thought was better between Gerrard and Scholes. Unsurprisingly Carra backed Stevie. To support his choice he shared the fact that Gerrard’s fellow professionals voted him into the PFA Team of the Year on a record eight occasions. Exactly half of the sixteen Premier League seasons he has completed. Scholes, on the other hand, was included just twice.
Carra wasn’t just plucking one particular award that suited his argument. There are further examples. The global equivalent of the PFA XI is the FIFPro World XI, for which Gerrard was selected three times. Scholes and Giggs never graced the XI with their presence over the course of their entire playing days.
Shortly after leading Liverpool to perhaps their greatest ever moment in Istanbul Gerrard placed third in football’s most prestigious personal award, the Ballon d’Or. He was named UEFA Club Footballer of the Year that same season and featured in their official Team of the Year on three occasions.
Domestically, he’s been the recipient of various Player of the Year awards as awarded by different bodies. Gerrard’s even won Player of the Month more than any other footballer. He’s also scored more goals (in less games) than the duo, both in the Premier League and across all competitions. Then there’s all the big performances in cup finals, including goals in the deciders of the Champions League, UEFA Cup, FA Cup, and League Cup. The stuff of fairytales.
Internationally, Gerrard and Lampard’s emergence resulted in Scholes getting shuffled out onto the left of the England midfield. The ginger maestro didn’t have the stomach to fight for a place in the middle and subsequently retired prematurely. In terms of individual honours, Gerrard was named in the UEFA team of the tournament for EURO 2012 and was also twice selected as England’s Player of the Year.
Obviously, Gerrard would swap all those personal gongs in a heartbeat for just one Premier League title and from a fan’s perspective, whilst it’s sometimes nice to see players get such recognition it’s ultimately meaningless.
Ian Herbert was berated for recognising that Gerrard accomplished more than Giggs and Scholes on a personal basis. Football is a team game though and because of the often average Liverpool teams that Gerrard played in, there will always be those only too delighted to judge him on Liverpool’s collective failings rather than on his own merits.
Robbie Deighan
Comments are retrospectively moderated. Some could be subject to delays before publication. They must obey the
.
Robbie Deighan pens a response to the reaction received by a recent piece on Steven Gerrard which explained why his individual career has been greater than that of Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs.
On Tuesday, a piece by journalist Ian Herbert for BT Sport attracted attention on social media, mainly from Manchester United fans and others with a disdain for all things Liverpool.
The frothing mobs, having clearly not read what Herbert had to say, quickly and repeatedly pointed out the gap in Gerrard’s medal collection. The United duo’s haul of gold was held up against Gerrard’s and there really is no comparison. In terms of club honours Giggs and Scholes have obviously had the better and more successful careers, of that there is no debate.
Of course, journalists almost never write the headlines for their own work. That task usually falls to a copy editor or some other member of the editorial team. And in this particular case, whoever headlined Herbert’s article has misrepresented the point of the piece.
The journalist’s argument is nicely summarised in his concluding paragraph:
“Reaching great individual heights with a stellar team, as Giggs and Scholes did, is one thing. Reaching them with a side which so often has been modest and moribund is something quite different. Supporters will chant and laugh and mock but Gerrard’s accomplishments are greater than those of Giggs and Scholes – whose names they laud.”
Yet, even Football365’s usually excellent Mediawatch feature failed to grasp the writer’s point when it described that very closing statement as “the most astonishing paragraph you will read today” and quipped that “supporters aren’t the only ones chanting and laughing and mocking, Ian.”
The use of the word individual seems to be lost on many because there’s certainly nothing astonishing about believing that Gerrard’s individual accomplishments surpasses Giggs and Scholes’.
Just as the Liverpool captain’s relative lack of club medals can be used to suggest he had an inferior club career to the United pair, so too can the Scouser’s plethora of individual honours be used to argue that yes, he has in fact reached greater individual heights than the aforementioned veterans.
Jamie Carragher was asked on Twitter the other day who he thought was better between Gerrard and Scholes. Unsurprisingly Carra backed Stevie. To support his choice he shared the fact that Gerrard’s fellow professionals voted him into the PFA Team of the Year on a record eight occasions. Exactly half of the sixteen Premier League seasons he has completed. Scholes, on the other hand, was included just twice.
Carra wasn’t just plucking one particular award that suited his argument. There are further examples. The global equivalent of the PFA XI is the FIFPro World XI, for which Gerrard was selected three times. Scholes and Giggs never graced the XI with their presence over the course of their entire playing days.
Shortly after leading Liverpool to perhaps their greatest ever moment in Istanbul Gerrard placed third in football’s most prestigious personal award, the Ballon d’Or. He was named UEFA Club Footballer of the Year that same season and featured in their official Team of the Year on three occasions.
Domestically, he’s been the recipient of various Player of the Year awards as awarded by different bodies. Gerrard’s even won Player of the Month more than any other footballer. He’s also scored more goals (in less games) than the duo, both in the Premier League and across all competitions. Then there’s all the big performances in cup finals, including goals in the deciders of the Champions League, UEFA Cup, FA Cup, and League Cup. The stuff of fairytales.
Internationally, Gerrard and Lampard’s emergence resulted in Scholes getting shuffled out onto the left of the England midfield. The ginger maestro didn’t have the stomach to fight for a place in the middle and subsequently retired prematurely. In terms of individual honours, Gerrard was named in the UEFA team of the tournament for EURO 2012 and was also twice selected as England’s Player of the Year.
Obviously, Gerrard would swap all those personal gongs in a heartbeat for just one Premier League title and from a fan’s perspective, whilst it’s sometimes nice to see players get such recognition it’s ultimately meaningless.
Ian Herbert was berated for recognising that Gerrard accomplished more than Giggs and Scholes on a personal basis. Football is a team game though and because of the often average Liverpool teams that Gerrard played in, there will always be those only too delighted to judge him on Liverpool’s collective failings rather than on his own merits.
Robbie Deighan
Comments are retrospectively moderated. Some could be subject to delays before publication. They must obey the
.
As Steven Gerrard‘s all-action Liverpool career enters its final chapter, can he end it on a high note or will frustrations get the better of him?
The all-consuming sadness with which Steven Gerrard delivered his apology to fans, players and the manager after Sunday’s red card was one of the more poignant moments in Liverpool’s recent history. Gerrard was praised on Sky for “fronting up” before Jamie Carragher shrugged such a notion aside, saying that there were lots of other people in the dressing room who would be equally disappointed.
This team will occasionally need the impact of Gerrard, but his departure has been hastened by a shrewd understanding on the part of Rodgers that the squad’s development may ultimately be held back if Gerrard were to retain such a prominent role. Gerrard’s “40 yard stare” interview with Geoff Shreeves was effectively an unfortunate “Murdochisation” of a man finally coming to terms with his own mortality.
Gerrard’s role in enabling this squad to reach for higher standards should not be understated. There have been times during his Liverpool career when he has appeared sulky at the lack of quality and desire of those he had to share a pitch with. Indeed, it could be argued at such times his influence as captain acted as an overbearing hindrance on squad development. Yet this group of precocious young upstarts have taken their cue from him, to the extent that they are now leaving him in their wake.
The frustration over the years was of course borne of an almost maniacal need to get Liverpool to where they wanted to go. Gerrard became came the expression of Liverpudlian defiance against the odds.
Of course, that one man could carry the hopes of an entire city seems preposterous, but that appears to be what Gerrard believed was his path. At times, he resembled a type of Bruce Wayne figure, sceptically skulking around the place, eventually intervening to save the day whenever Djimi Traore, Igor Biscan or any number of others conspired to sabotage his beloved club.
And yet, there is something inherently sad in all of this. The weight on Gerrard’s shoulders was such that he came to believe in this script. Poetic, happy endings are the makings of Hollywood, and as such, Gerrard’s life’s work was always likely to come up short measured against what became his ideal.
In the end, Gerrard has become a victim of his own approach. His barnstorming aggression and physicality carried Liverpool for over a decade. Many have queried whether Gerrard may have adapted his game to become a more cerebral presence in the centre of the Liverpool midfield, yet that would have run contrary to his instincts and that manic desire to embody his adored public.
There is a well-worn story about Gerrard from Rafa Benitez’s early days at the club. Gerrard had had one of his blistering, all-action displays in Liverpool’s midfield, only for Benitez to deliver a withering appraisal: “You run around too much.”
Gerrard managed to bed into the Benitez way of working, although much of the time he resembled a caged animal begging to be freed. His desire has always been to force the will of his character onto a game. It was after all, his greatest strength.
For all that, it is difficult to not regret the player’s unwillingness to modify his game somewhat. The drive with which he played for most of his career effectively meant that his tactical understanding of the game was not where it might have been at this stage of his career. As a result, hopes of deploying him at the base of a diamond longer term proved impossible, as he clearly lacked the basic positional sense of specialists in that position. Which is a shame.
However, the narrative around Gerrard-either through the media, the fans or his own construction- has undoubtedly curtailed his Liverpool career by a number of years. His unyielding sense of his own strengths, along with fellow England international Frank Lampard became a competitive game of “who will blink first”. Neither ever seemed willing to adapt in a bid to accommodate the other. In the end, neither blinked, and England spent a decade gazing at opponents only too happy to play through them.
If this appraisal seems harsh, it is only to underline the flaws in a career that could never have furnished Gerrard with what he expected of himself. He almost got there through sheer force of will. His slip against Chelsea will forever haunt him, and his red card on Sunday will have offered the realisation that soon it will all be over.
Gerrard’s Liverpool story may still have the Hollywood ending. On May 30th, he could win the FA Cup in his final game on his 35th birthday. Similarly, he could miss the decisive penalty with his very last kick for the club.
The outcome is irrelevant though – Gerrard has given all he could, the only way he knew how, and ultimately his career did not live up to what he had dreamed of. It never could have. He will feel it unfair that he never won a Premier League, and of course the manner in which he lost the chance is incredibly sad.
Liverpool will move on next year without Steven Gerrard. The saddest thing for the player may be that Rodgers’ team will not miss him most of the time. Of course, there will be days when they do, and those whose hopes he carried for the entirety of his career will tell their grandchildren about one of their own, a gladiator who bestrode the Anfield turf in their likeness. It is to that thought Gerrard needs now to cling.
Sean Duffy
Comments are retrospectively moderated. Some could be subject to delays before publication. They must obey the
.
As Steven Gerrard‘s all-action Liverpool career enters its final chapter, can he end it on a high note or will frustrations get the better of him?
The all-consuming sadness with which Steven Gerrard delivered his apology to fans, players and the manager after Sunday’s red card was one of the more poignant moments in Liverpool’s recent history. Gerrard was praised on Sky for “fronting up” before Jamie Carragher shrugged such a notion aside, saying that there were lots of other people in the dressing room who would be equally disappointed.
This team will occasionally need the impact of Gerrard, but his departure has been hastened by a shrewd understanding on the part of Rodgers that the squad’s development may ultimately be held back if Gerrard were to retain such a prominent role. Gerrard’s “40 yard stare” interview with Geoff Shreeves was effectively an unfortunate “Murdochisation” of a man finally coming to terms with his own mortality.
Gerrard’s role in enabling this squad to reach for higher standards should not be understated. There have been times during his Liverpool career when he has appeared sulky at the lack of quality and desire of those he had to share a pitch with. Indeed, it could be argued at such times his influence as captain acted as an overbearing hindrance on squad development. Yet this group of precocious young upstarts have taken their cue from him, to the extent that they are now leaving him in their wake.
The frustration over the years was of course borne of an almost maniacal need to get Liverpool to where they wanted to go. Gerrard became came the expression of Liverpudlian defiance against the odds.
Of course, that one man could carry the hopes of an entire city seems preposterous, but that appears to be what Gerrard believed was his path. At times, he resembled a type of Bruce Wayne figure, sceptically skulking around the place, eventually intervening to save the day whenever Djimi Traore, Igor Biscan or any number of others conspired to sabotage his beloved club.
And yet, there is something inherently sad in all of this. The weight on Gerrard’s shoulders was such that he came to believe in this script. Poetic, happy endings are the makings of Hollywood, and as such, Gerrard’s life’s work was always likely to come up short measured against what became his ideal.
In the end, Gerrard has become a victim of his own approach. His barnstorming aggression and physicality carried Liverpool for over a decade. Many have queried whether Gerrard may have adapted his game to become a more cerebral presence in the centre of the Liverpool midfield, yet that would have run contrary to his instincts and that manic desire to embody his adored public.
There is a well-worn story about Gerrard from Rafa Benitez’s early days at the club. Gerrard had had one of his blistering, all-action displays in Liverpool’s midfield, only for Benitez to deliver a withering appraisal: “You run around too much.”
Gerrard managed to bed into the Benitez way of working, although much of the time he resembled a caged animal begging to be freed. His desire has always been to force the will of his character onto a game. It was after all, his greatest strength.
For all that, it is difficult to not regret the player’s unwillingness to modify his game somewhat. The drive with which he played for most of his career effectively meant that his tactical understanding of the game was not where it might have been at this stage of his career. As a result, hopes of deploying him at the base of a diamond longer term proved impossible, as he clearly lacked the basic positional sense of specialists in that position. Which is a shame.
However, the narrative around Gerrard-either through the media, the fans or his own construction- has undoubtedly curtailed his Liverpool career by a number of years. His unyielding sense of his own strengths, along with fellow England international Frank Lampard became a competitive game of “who will blink first”. Neither ever seemed willing to adapt in a bid to accommodate the other. In the end, neither blinked, and England spent a decade gazing at opponents only too happy to play through them.
If this appraisal seems harsh, it is only to underline the flaws in a career that could never have furnished Gerrard with what he expected of himself. He almost got there through sheer force of will. His slip against Chelsea will forever haunt him, and his red card on Sunday will have offered the realisation that soon it will all be over.
Gerrard’s Liverpool story may still have the Hollywood ending. On May 30th, he could win the FA Cup in his final game on his 35th birthday. Similarly, he could miss the decisive penalty with his very last kick for the club.
The outcome is irrelevant though – Gerrard has given all he could, the only way he knew how, and ultimately his career did not live up to what he had dreamed of. It never could have. He will feel it unfair that he never won a Premier League, and of course the manner in which he lost the chance is incredibly sad.
Liverpool will move on next year without Steven Gerrard. The saddest thing for the player may be that Rodgers’ team will not miss him most of the time. Of course, there will be days when they do, and those whose hopes he carried for the entirety of his career will tell their grandchildren about one of their own, a gladiator who bestrode the Anfield turf in their likeness. It is to that thought Gerrard needs now to cling.
Sean Duffy
Comments are retrospectively moderated. Some could be subject to delays before publication. They must obey the
.
Roy Hodgson's willingness to compromise on Raheem Sterling will help England in the long run, Gerry Francis told the Morning View.
Liverpool winger Sterling joined up with Hodgson's squad earlier this week and is widely expected to start Friday night's European Qualifier against Lithuania.
But a toe injury has been bothering the 20-year-old in recent weeks, and he could return to Merseyside before next week's friendly against Italy in Turin.
Hodgson's relationship with Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has come under scrutiny twice in recent months: firstly when Daniel Sturridge suffered a serious thigh injury in training with England and again when he revealed Sterling was too tired to train ahead of a qualifier in Estonia.
And former England captain Francis, who has experience of coaching at international and Premier League level, reckons Hodgson is right to accommodate club bosses where possible.
"It's really important for Roy to have a rapport with managers," Francis said. "If he can give and take along the way that helps him.
"I've been in both camps - I've done a bit with England U19s and been a Premier League manager for a number of years. I wouldn't want to stop any player playing for their country, because I know what that meant to me, although you worry about your players when they go."
Alan Curbishley also backed Hodgson's "give and take" approach, saying: "I think Roy has great communication with all the managers in the Premier League.
"We've got to remembner the Sturridge situation - I don't suppose he'd want to get in that situation again. Brendan Rodgers and the medical staff at Liverpool have obviously briefed Roy - so play fair.
"The Lithuania game is the big game, and that's why you're going to see changes in the second game."
Roy Hodgson's willingness to compromise on Raheem Sterling will help England in the long run, Gerry Francis told the Morning View.
Liverpool winger Sterling joined up with Hodgson's squad earlier this week and is widely expected to start Friday night's European Qualifier against Lithuania.
But a toe injury has been bothering the 20-year-old in recent weeks, and he could return to Merseyside before next week's friendly against Italy in Turin.
Hodgson's relationship with Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has come under scrutiny twice in recent months: firstly when Daniel Sturridge suffered a serious thigh injury in training with England and again when he revealed Sterling was too tired to train ahead of a qualifier in Estonia.
And former England captain Francis, who has experience of coaching at international and Premier League level, reckons Hodgson is right to accommodate club bosses where possible.
"It's really important for Roy to have a rapport with managers," Francis said. "If he can give and take along the way that helps him.
"I've been in both camps - I've done a bit with England U19s and been a Premier League manager for a number of years. I wouldn't want to stop any player playing for their country, because I know what that meant to me, although you worry about your players when they go."
Alan Curbishley also backed Hodgson's "give and take" approach, saying: "I think Roy has great communication with all the managers in the Premier League.
"We've got to remembner the Sturridge situation - I don't suppose he'd want to get in that situation again. Brendan Rodgers and the medical staff at Liverpool have obviously briefed Roy - so play fair.
"The Lithuania game is the big game, and that's why you're going to see changes in the second game."
Emre Can says he believes the achievements made by Liverpool’s young squad show the club have a good future ahead.
The 21-year-old came to Anfield from Bayer Leverkusen last summer and has made a great impact so far, mainly as part of a three-man defence.
“I definitely feel we’re at the start of a new era,” he told the club’s official website. “It’s a very, very young team with Philippe Coutinho, Jordan Henderson and Lazar Markovic.
“But I think the team needs to keep improving, and continue doing what we’re doing at the moment to get to these years. But I believe there are good years ahead.”
Liverpool next face a tricky trip to in-form Arsenal on Saturday, 4th April and operators like Matchbook are already speculating about the outcome of this encounter. The team are hoping to secure a victory which would give them a much-needed boost in their campaign to finish in the Premier League’s top four.
The Reds currently sit fifth in the league table, a point ahead of Southampton, but five points behind fourth placed United with eight games of the season left to play.
Despite the pressure of the end of season run-in ahead, Can feels he is settling into life on Merseyside well.
“I feel very good at the moment,” Can added. “I feel the trust of the manager and I feel I’m doing a good job, that’s why I’m playing – so I’m happy.
“I’m proud that a manager of the status of Brendan Rodgers said something like that about me in this way but I know it’s a long way to go and I need to keep giving my best to get there one day, I have to keep on working.”
Responding to being described as a “Rolls-Royce” type player in the build-up to February’s Merseyside derby, in which Liverpool drew 0-0 with Everton, the expression left the German a little bemused.
“Rolls-Royce footballer? I know what it means but we would not use that expression in Germany at all. I’d never heard it before. I obviously thought it’s a big, luxurious car so I just associated positive things with it.”
Can could feature for Germany Under-21s when they face Italy U21s on Friday night.
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Emre Can says he believes the achievements made by Liverpool’s young squad show the club have a good future ahead.
The 21-year-old came to Anfield from Bayer Leverkusen last summer and has made a great impact so far, mainly as part of a three-man defence.
“I definitely feel we’re at the start of a new era,” he told the club’s official website. “It’s a very, very young team with Philippe Coutinho, Jordan Henderson and Lazar Markovic.
“But I think the team needs to keep improving, and continue doing what we’re doing at the moment to get to these years. But I believe there are good years ahead.”
Liverpool next face a tricky trip to in-form Arsenal on Saturday, 4th April and operators like Matchbook are already speculating about the outcome of this encounter. The team are hoping to secure a victory which would give them a much-needed boost in their campaign to finish in the Premier League’s top four.
The Reds currently sit fifth in the league table, a point ahead of Southampton, but five points behind fourth placed United with eight games of the season left to play.
Despite the pressure of the end of season run-in ahead, Can feels he is settling into life on Merseyside well.
“I feel very good at the moment,” Can added. “I feel the trust of the manager and I feel I’m doing a good job, that’s why I’m playing – so I’m happy.
“I’m proud that a manager of the status of Brendan Rodgers said something like that about me in this way but I know it’s a long way to go and I need to keep giving my best to get there one day, I have to keep on working.”
Responding to being described as a “Rolls-Royce” type player in the build-up to February’s Merseyside derby, in which Liverpool drew 0-0 with Everton, the expression left the German a little bemused.
“Rolls-Royce footballer? I know what it means but we would not use that expression in Germany at all. I’d never heard it before. I obviously thought it’s a big, luxurious car so I just associated positive things with it.”
Can could feature for Germany Under-21s when they face Italy U21s on Friday night.
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.
Roy Hodgson says he is likely to have to field a weakened team against Italy next week with Raheem Sterling among those likely to be rested.
Sterling has been playing with a toe injury in recent weeks and Hodgson is unlikely to risk him against the Italians in Turin, only a handful of days after England host Lithuania in a European Qualifier.
The 20-year-old would be making his 50th appearance of the season if he were to turn out on at Wembley on Friday, and Hodgson seems to be keen to avoid re-opening a row with Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers by playing him in both games.
Rodgers was upset last October when Sterling complained of being too tired to train after England's 5-0 win over San Marino, in which he played 45 minutes, and he was then left on the bench against Estonia.
Sterling trained with the England squad as normal at St George's Park on Tuesday and he will be in contention for a starting place as England look to make it five Group E wins from five at Wembley.
Liverpool team-mates Daniel Sturridge and Adam Lallana have already withdrawn from Hodgson's squad and the manager expects they will not be the end of the upheaval.
He said: "I fear we're going to lose a few more.
"There's one or two that I know won't be able to join us against Italy because of the problems they are dealing with, so on this occasion it won't be as strong a team as I would have liked.
"The qualifier is still my top priority, even though on paper Italy are a stronger team to play than Lithuania."
Roy Hodgson says he is likely to have to field a weakened team against Italy next week with Raheem Sterling among those likely to be rested.
Sterling has been playing with a toe injury in recent weeks and Hodgson is unlikely to risk him against the Italians in Turin, only a handful of days after England host Lithuania in a European Qualifier.
The 20-year-old would be making his 50th appearance of the season if he were to turn out on at Wembley on Friday, and Hodgson seems to be keen to avoid re-opening a row with Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers by playing him in both games.
Rodgers was upset last October when Sterling complained of being too tired to train after England's 5-0 win over San Marino, in which he played 45 minutes, and he was then left on the bench against Estonia.
Sterling trained with the England squad as normal at St George's Park on Tuesday and he will be in contention for a starting place as England look to make it five Group E wins from five at Wembley.
Liverpool team-mates Daniel Sturridge and Adam Lallana have already withdrawn from Hodgson's squad and the manager expects they will not be the end of the upheaval.
He said: "I fear we're going to lose a few more.
"There's one or two that I know won't be able to join us against Italy because of the problems they are dealing with, so on this occasion it won't be as strong a team as I would have liked.
"The qualifier is still my top priority, even though on paper Italy are a stronger team to play than Lithuania."
John Arne Riise returns to Anfield on Sunday to take part in Steven Gerrard‘s All Star charity match and the Norwegian has revealed how he regrets leaving Liverpool when he did in 2008.
Writing on his personal blog, Riise explains why he left Liverpool and says: “I must admit that I should have stayed. [..] because I know I would have taken the place from [Andrea] Dossena.”
“I honestly think that the own goal didn’t affect Rafa’s decision,” writes Riise. “Maybe I’m wrong, but I’m 100% sure that the own goal wasn’t the main reason. Yes, I was devastated about the own goal, I was crying at home and I didn’t talk to anyone for days. I knew I let all my teammates down and especially the fans.”
Riise, who currently plays for APOEL in Cyprus, explains how Benitez told him that he deserves to be first choice still for a club.
“I left the office with a lot of respect for Rafa. The only thing I wish he did earlier was telling me how I stood within the team, and what I needed to do to remain first choice.
“If he as my manager told me I needed to step it up, I would have done everything in my power to do so. I was blind and didn’t see it.
“But I love Rafa, he gave me the best night of my life in Istanbul, he showed me a lot of confidence in my time with him. I learned so much from him. He was a great manager for me and my career. For him to be so honest with me during that conversation is something I will never forget and always respect him for. I still keep in touch with him.”
Riise, who left to join AS Roma in 2008 before ending up back in England with Fulham in 2011, admits he let his standards drop in his final season on Merseyside.
“I can only blame myself. The last year at Liverpool I wasn’t as focused as previous years. I was too comfortable with my position in the team that I didn’t work as hard as I should have and had before. Absolutely annoys me!!!!”
Liverpool signed Italian Andrea Dossena that summer. Riise writes: “I knew Dossena would be first choice for the first 3-4 months, but I know I would have taken that place back.” Too true, John.
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John Arne Riise returns to Anfield on Sunday to take part in Steven Gerrard‘s All Star charity match and the Norwegian has revealed how he regrets leaving Liverpool when he did in 2008.
Writing on his personal blog, Riise explains why he left Liverpool and says: “I must admit that I should have stayed. [..] because I know I would have taken the place from [Andrea] Dossena.”
“I honestly think that the own goal didn’t affect Rafa’s decision,” writes Riise. “Maybe I’m wrong, but I’m 100% sure that the own goal wasn’t the main reason. Yes, I was devastated about the own goal, I was crying at home and I didn’t talk to anyone for days. I knew I let all my teammates down and especially the fans.”
Riise, who currently plays for APOEL in Cyprus, explains how Benitez told him that he deserves to be first choice still for a club.
“I left the office with a lot of respect for Rafa. The only thing I wish he did earlier was telling me how I stood within the team, and what I needed to do to remain first choice.
“If he as my manager told me I needed to step it up, I would have done everything in my power to do so. I was blind and didn’t see it.
“But I love Rafa, he gave me the best night of my life in Istanbul, he showed me a lot of confidence in my time with him. I learned so much from him. He was a great manager for me and my career. For him to be so honest with me during that conversation is something I will never forget and always respect him for. I still keep in touch with him.”
Riise, who left to join AS Roma in 2008 before ending up back in England with Fulham in 2011, admits he let his standards drop in his final season on Merseyside.
“I can only blame myself. The last year at Liverpool I wasn’t as focused as previous years. I was too comfortable with my position in the team that I didn’t work as hard as I should have and had before. Absolutely annoys me!!!!”
Liverpool signed Italian Andrea Dossena that summer. Riise writes: “I knew Dossena would be first choice for the first 3-4 months, but I know I would have taken that place back.” Too true, John.
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.
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