Why Liverpool still can’t get by without their star man:

“He’s an excellent player” – Pele. “I think he might be the best in the world” – Zidane. “He’s undoubtedly one of the best midfielders in the world” – Carlo Ancelotti. “The most influential midfielder in England” – Sir Alex Ferguson. It’s fair to say that Steven Gerrard has had an incredible career, gaining the praises from football’s elite over the years. As he continues in the hunt for that elusive Premier League winner’s medal (which won’t be arriving in Liverpool this season at least), he still looks at the top of his game: sharp, strong and inspirational. At 31 years of age, he has shaken off his injury problems and is proving to be Liverpool’s main man once again.

As he’s said before, “cut me open and I’ll bleed red. Liverpool red”… this line sums him up. Gerrard epitomizes everything expected at Liverpool: he sets standards, inspires the players, and his passion and determination are contagious in the clubs set-up. His hat-trick against Everton was crisp and clinical – a huge morale boost for a club struggling to challenge for that coveted ‘fourth place’ and a major win against their bitter Merseyside rivals.

So why do Liverpool still need him? Just his presence at the club and around Melwood makes the Academy and reserve players aspire to his long list of achievements. Then there’s his match winning performances which have guaranteed his place in Anfield folklore. His sportsmanship is excellent too: other players have learnt from this, he sets the standard. Apart from some outbursts when he was young, he is now controlled and even tempered on the pitch, which is vital as captain. This in no way indicates he’s happy to play pretty football all the time – a crunching tackle or a last gasp slide tackle are both trademarks of his game.

As a born and bred ‘Red’, he is influential in making the foreign players’ aware of the Liverpool legacies and the clubs rich history. As he touches upon in his autobiography, he hates players who don’t show any respect for their team and are only in it for themselves.

Despite a lot of quality across the midfield, Gerrard is a key part of the team, due to the way he leads and encourages. Not only is he an excellent player, but he also organises and dictates the game through his central position. Even if the play isn’t always going through him, he’s still communicating with the team and finding space to look for the killer ball. Over the years, we’ve seen him link up brilliantly with his strikers, most recently Luis Suarez.

Part of the reason he is adored by Liverpool fans is his unselfish attitude towards the team, but above all, his dedication and passion towards the club. If the going’s getting tough, he won’t leave. He’ll stay, pick the team up again, and strive to achieve as best he can.

Whether he’s getting old or not, Gerrard is still the heartbeat of the Liverpool team. It’s vital that he doesn’t suffer long term injuries as he has been, as Liverpool really do have a match winner that inspires the players around him. Steven Gerrard: you’ll never walk alone.

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