Steven Gerrard is in decline but there will still be some uplifting moments on the road downhill towards retirement. He still possesses the intelligence of movement, eye for goal and will to win to shape the destiny of games.
In the game of deal or no deal between Liverpool and their iconic captain, the 34-year-old surely enhanced his bargaining position here with a strong display spiced with a fine goal. Scoring his first goal since Sept 27, and leading Liverpool to their first away success in the Premier League since Oct 19, Gerrard delivered a timely reminder of his enduring influence when refreshed and deployed to maximum effect, namely in an advanced position in midfield. The everlasting love between the Merseysider and the club’s supporters was also very clear.
It is certainly warmer than relations between Leicester City’s manager, Nigel Pearson, and one of his club’s supporters. After a fan questioned his players’ commitment, Pearson responded dismissively with a couple of swear words thrown in to reinforce his point. Pearson’s Leicester may be bottom of the table but they certainly do not play as if they are. They pressed hard, ran hard, and just need to tighten that defence and get Leonardo Ulloa scoring again.
Yet defeat and the Pearson controversy are unwanted clouds over the King Power Stadium.
Liverpool deserved victory. A rejuvenated Raheem Sterling did. So did Lucas Leiva. Gerrard certainly did. After Adam Lallana cancelled out a Simon Mignolet own goal, Gerrard came into his own, giving Liverpool the lead and playing a part in the third for Jordan Henderson.
Gerrard was freed from the defensive duties. Henderson, playing his 150th match for the club, and Lucas played the holding roles. Gerrard was able to roll back the years – to an extent – by ranging upfield. Any attempt by Leicester fans to denigrate him was immediately blocked out by the 3,338-strong visiting contingent singing their usual hymns of praise to their beloved No 8. He repaid their loyalty with that goal and an exuberant celebration in front of them.
On his contract, Gerrard told BT Sport that he “will decide when I am ready”, adding that Liverpool “are on the way up. We are a lot harder to beat. Come the end of the season we will be fighting for fourth”.
Gerrard is still undoubtedly a fading force, inevitably so after 16 seasons powering across fields of green, giving everything, suffering significant injuries, playing in an unforgiving part of the pitch. There was a moment when Matty James sped away from Gerrard and the Merseysider could react only by tripping the Leicester midfielder. Down the years, Gerrard has survived duels with Roy Keane, Patrick Vieira and Gennaro Gattuso but Old Father Time is one adversary he will never outlast.
So, Rodgers is handling the situation sensibly, using him intelligently. If there was inevitable frustration bordering on anger at Gerrard starting on the bench at Real Madrid, Rodgers’s approach carries undeniable logic. He was rested against Stoke City at the weekend, on the occasion of his 16th anniversary as a Liverpool player, and was suitably refreshed here. It would be little surprise if Gerrard began on the bench at home to Sunderland on Saturday before being unleashed against Basle next Tuesday.
“He’s a guy that we look at each game,’’ said Rodgers. “In this stage in his career, it’s about the level of the game. He’s a very important player for us. He’s not 24 any more. You have to do that with players at this stage in their career. It’s about mapping out the season for him. I think you’ve seen the energy in his legs tonight and influence in the game as it wore on. It was an outstanding performance and he got a goal.
“How I set team up last year, Steven was playmaker. He played behind the midfield. We had three super-quick players, Suárez, Sturridge and Sterling. He wasn’t defensive midfield. He was playmaker in deeper position. We don’t have that similar type of style this season.
“He can still have a great influence. He has that natural instinct to get forward and there were combinations with Sterling and Lambert. I pick Gerrard because I still think he can influence a game for us.
“I know if I can manage him with training and games, he can have a real impact. Even approaching 35 he can. No matter how good a player is, there comes a time when the wheels are out and they’re ready to land. His wheels are not out yet. He’s got plenty of energy. We hadn’t fallen out with each other [as claimed].”
Liverpool had been determined not to be distracted by the sideshows involving Mario Balotelli’s anti-social media and the great Gerrard contract debate. The evening began badly when Leicester took the lead after 22 minutes. Ulloa shot past Mignolet, the ball striking the post, bouncing back, catching the diving keeper in the face and rebounding in.
The visitors responded well, equalising within four minutes. After another Sterling run was illegally curtailed, Gerrard lifted the free-kick in from the left. Ritchie De Laet was first to the ball, heading clear, but Leicester were slow to push out. Lucas simply hoisted the ball back in. Wes Morgan, jumping with Lambert, managed to repel the danger but only to Lallana, who finished with a firm left-footed half-volley.
Liverpool took the lead after 54 minutes, Sterling making the break down the right and crossing. The sliding Morgan intercepted but succeeded only in transferring the ball to Gerrard, who swept his shot from 15 yards past Paul Konchesky and Kasper Schmeichel.
Liverpool soon enjoyed numerical superiority when Morgan pulled back Rickie Lambert, who was through on goal, and it was a simple red for Lee Mason to give. The focus remained on Gerrard, who was cautioned for that foul on James, caught out by the burst of speed. That remains the issue with Gerrard now, the fact that opponents can get away from him.
He still retains that threat going forward, running on to a Henderson pass but then responding to the onrushing Schmeichel by leaping and then colliding. He was convinced it was a penalty, as was Rodgers. “I thought he had a touch from the keeper,’’ said Rodgers. “He’s not got near the ball. Problem is, if he sends the player off, they’re down to nine.”
Liverpool added a third with Gerrard again involved. With seven minutes remaining, Lambert knocked the ball left to Gerrard, who motored forward before bending his cross with the outside of his right boot towards the unmarked Sterling. Schmeichel struggled badly to deal with the situation, allowing Sterling to back-heel the ball to Henderson, who rifled Liverpool further clear, leaving Gerrard with a large smile.
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