Who will make way for this Liverpool legend’s return?

Steven Gerrard, a man who has been one of Liverpool’s key players for the past decade, is finally back in the first team. After six months out due to injury, Gerrard recently made his return as a substitute in the League Cup clash with Brighton & Hove Albion, before further encouraging cameo appearances against Wolves and Everton.

There is no doubt that his return is a huge boost to Liverpool FC . However, it does throw up some intriguing questions. Where will he play? Who will make way for him? Since Kenny Dalglish ’s return to Anfield as manager, Gerrard has been available for eight times, and now the boss has some decisions to make.

In recent years, Gerrard was a fixture in the team playing off the front man, for many years supporting Fernando Torres. This was part of a 4-2-3-1 formation that Rafa Benitez stuck to almost religiously. Nowadays, Liverpool are much more tactically versatile, and have much greater strength in depth. Towards the back end of last season, and at the beginning of this, the Reds have been playing 4-4-2, with Lucas Leiva  and Charlie Adam  occupying the centre of midfield, where Gerrard is most likely to fit in.

Lucas is the more established player, and perhaps compliments Gerrard’s style of play better. He also has much more experience playing alongside him, so it may be that at first the Liverpool skipper is brought in at the expense of Adam. Another possible option would be to take out one of the strikers, and have Gerrard playing just behind one man up front. At the moment, Luis Suarez is in ‘un-droppable’ form, which would mean that Andy Carroll  would be demoted to the bench.

In the 2005-06 season, Gerrard spent much of his time on the right of midfield. This could again be another potential position for Dalglish to consider him in, having already shown a willingness to start Jordan Henderson , usually seen as a centre midfielder, on the right side. He did the same with Raul Meireles at times last season, and it is worth remembering that Gerrard scored 23 goals in 2005-06, as well as winning the PFA Players’ Player of the Year. Don’t forget, he has also played on the left for England, and going way back, started out his career at Liverpool as a right-back!

Of course, with Gerrard still recovering from his injury, Dalglish may not have to decide just yet. Adam, Lucas and Henderson are all fit and firing, and the Liverpool boss has expressed his desire not to rush his captain back and cause yet another injury. The decision by England boss Fabio Capello to rest Gerrard for the upcoming Euro 2012 qualifier against Montenegro was described as ‘sensible’ by Dalglish, giving the impression that there is still some concern over whether or not the player is ready to be a regular starter again just yet.

Finding a way to fit Gerrard into the team is the sort of dilemma Kenny Dalglish  will relish. The fact that Liverpool have been able to start reasonably well, and now have arguably their best player over the last ten years coming back into contention will be a huge lift to all at Anfield. It demonstrates the strength in depth that has been lacking at the club in recent years, and comes as a timely boost ahead of the visit of Manchester United on October 15.

Written by Sean Mullan for Live4Liverpool.com.

Introducing the neat little app that’ll pay you to view content tailored to your interests:

ThisisFutbol.com are seeking new writers to join the team! If you’re passionate about football, drop us a line at “thisisfutbol.com@snack-media.com” to learn more.