Steven Gerrard - Positive Mental Attitude

Written by Mark Ballard on July 27th, 2008

In recent years I’ve had a bit of an odd relationship with our skipper, which has often seen me labelled a Gerrard basher. Personally, I think the whole ‘Gerrard issue’ is a complex one.

There are those who will tell you Gerrard is Mr. Liverpool and those who’ll tell you he’s a cunt.

There are those who’ll tell you Steven Gerrard is our player of the season before he steps on the pitch and those who’ll say he only has a great season every other year.

There are those who say that his decisions to stay in 2004 and 2005 were a sign of how much he loves the club and those who still haven’t quite forgiven him for almost leaving.

There are those who say the News of the World is the Sunday S*n and those who say it isn’t.

What’s interesting is that these aren’t the conflicting views of outsiders, but of our own fans. Steven Gerrard is complex, and full of contradictions which even his staunchest supporters and fiercest critics are challenged by.

Last season was one of those seasons were, after an iffy start co-inciding with an injury, Steven Gerrard played some of his best football. His attitude for the most part was right (bar that horrible spell around the West Ham away game when to be honest he wasn’t the only one who lost his way). Most importantly, at the back end of the season in particular he seemed to be enjoying his football.

I’ve posted to praise Steven Gerrard once before, and unfortunately what followed not long after was him selling out to the news of the world (Sunday S*n or not it doesn’t sit well with me) and having a poor season by his standards where a poor attitude on the pitch was evident on several ocassions. So why am I now doing it again?

The reason is simple - because next season is key for Liverpool Football Club and Steven Gerrard is absolutely key to that. And I suspect that when Robbie Keane signs we may well see Steven Gerrard on the right hand side again - and we all know how that can sometimes go in Steven’s head. In ability terms he can be outstanding there, in attitude terms it’s not his favourite role and he’s been known to sulk about a prolonged run in that position.

Now is the time for the attitude to be perfect. Whatever negative opinions I might have about Steven Gerrard the man he has certainly matured in the last year or two. He’s begun to really act like a man and a leader, which is great to see. Next season he could potentially lead the side by example in both performance and attitude, or he could take a huge step backwards.

Just look at that front line:

Gerrard —– Keane —– Babel

———— Torres ———–

There is nothing better than that in this league in my opinion, and a few of the other big boys look like they may be losing some key attacking talent (Hleb and Adebayor at Arsenal, Drogba and Lampard at Chelsea, Ronaldo at the Mancs). But it won’t work if Steven Gerrard’s attitude isn’t right from the get go.

So I suppose more than anything this is a kind of plea to the man himself (though I doubt he’ll ever read it). If you are put in that right hand role - think about the positives of it. It’s an attacking role with a lot of freedom, it’s a flexible role which will see you moving everywhere along the front line which is a great opportunity to utilise your energy, you won’t be our main source of width as Degen and Dossena have been brought to do that - which means you have plenty of opportunity to come inside and influence play.

I can’t think of a time in recent history when we’ve had such an array of attacking talent. The potential is frightening. And Steven Gerrard is the key to it all.

The more mature Steven Gerrard that we’ve seen recently is undoubtedly capable of that. It’s time for Steven Gerrard to dismiss the contradictions and be our leader, whatever position he occupies in the side.

Season shape-up

We look at how sides are gearing up for the new campagn

Last updated: 11th July 2008

Dynamic duo: Torres and Gerrard formed a potent partnership last season but can they repeat it this term?

REDS' TRANSFER ACTIVITY
Ins: Philipp Degen - Free
Andrea Dossena - Undisclosed
Outs: John Arne Riise - £4million
Paul Anderson - Loan
Harry Kewell - Released
Anthony Le Tallec - Undisclosed
Peter Crouch - £9million

Rafa Benitez says it will be his greatest achievement if he can lead Liverpool to the Premier League title and the pressure is on to mount a serious challenge for England's top prize. In the latest of our Shaping up for the Season series, Peter O'Rourke takes an in-depth look at what The Reds need to finish at the summit.

Overview

Liverpool have been nearly men in the Premier League under Rafa Benitez failing to seriously challenge for the title Reds fans are desperate to win above any other one.

Benitez, who is preparing for his fourth season at Anfield, has enjoyed success in the UEFA Champions League, but has struggled to find the right formula to succeed in the Premier League.

The Reds have finished no higher than third under Benitez and last term they came in fourth behind Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal.

Over the last few seasons Liverpool have closed the gap on the leading pack in regards to points at the end of the season and he will need to find more improvement if they are to finally end their 18-year wait for the Premier League.

Liverpool's poor home form dented their ambitions of fighting for the title and Benitez has pin-pointed an improvement in defending set-pieces as key to their hopes of going all the way in championship race.

With a few quality additions to an already star-studded squad Liverpool could finally end their overdue search for the league title.

What's happened so far

Benitez has shown a tendency to raid his native Spain for new players, but it appears he may be changing his focus this summer by going for English talent.

There have rumblings of not much money being made available for Benitez's budget, but the Spaniard will be hoping American duo George Gillett and Tom Hicks can put their problems behind them to provide the funds for some major deals.

The only new faces at Anfield this summer are Swiss defender Philipp Degen who has arrived on a free transfer from Borussia Dortmund and Italian international Andrea Dossena from Udinese

Dossena, who becomesthe first outfield Italian to join the Reds, will be a straight replacement for John Arne Riise who has left for Roma after seven successful years at Anfield.

Brazilian goalkeeper Diego Cavalieri from Palmeiras is on the cusp of a move to Anfield to provide cover for Jose Reina to cast further doubt over the future of Scott Carson.

Harry Kewell has departed after seeing out his contract and Benitez will be keen to bring in a new winger to help solve the problematic left-sided position.

The Reds are involved in a very public pursuit of Aston Villa and England international Gareth Barry as Benitez looks to unite him with England team-mate Steven Gerrard.

Should Liverpool be successful in their attempts to snare Barry, Xabi Alonso is expected to leave with Juventus already holding talks over a possible move for the classy Spaniard.

A number of other players could be offloaded in a bid to trim the squad and raise funds for Benitez's transfer plans.

Peter Crouch is on the verge of a move to Portsmouth after Liverpool agreed a deal for the England international.

Yossi Benayoun could be sacrificed with the likes of Portsmouth, Tottenham and Ajax all credited with an interest in the Israeli international.

Jermaine Pennant could also be walking on dangerous ground with the winger failing to win over his detractors since arriving from Birmingham two seasons ago.

What they need

Liverpool scored more goals than anyone in all competitions last season and Benitez has admitted he is hoping to shore up his defence next term.

Benitez was alarmed by the number of goals conceded from set-pieces and he has moved to address this problem by bringing in two new full-backs in the shape of Degen and Dossena.

He is unlikely to look for any new central defenders having brought in Martin Skrtel last January to provide cover for Jamie Carragher and Sami Hyypia.

The return of Daniel Agger from injury will also be a welcome boost with the Dane missing the most of last year with a foot problem.

In midfield, Benitez needs to bring in two tricky, skilful wingers to provide the ammunition for Fernando Torres.

With the right supply from the wings, Torres could even beat his tally of 33 goals in his debut season last term.

A striker or a withdrawn attacker to play alongside Torres would help ease the burden on the young Spaniard's shoulders after he exceeded all expectations in his first year at Anfield.

Euro 2008 top scorer David Villa has been confirmed as a target by Benitez, but Liverpool are likely to be priced out of the market for the Valencia hit-man.

Tottenham's Robbie Keane has also been mentioned as a possible target, but it would take a major bid to persuade Spurs to let the Irishman leave White Hart Lane.

It would allow skipper Steven Gerrard to move back into his preferred position of midfield from where he could drive the team forward.

What they'll get

Barry is more than likely to end up at Anfield with the player expressing a desire to move to Liverpool and Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill resigned to losing the midfielder.

Milner could make the move from Newcastle to Liverpool with the winger thought to be keen on a switch to Merseyside.

A deal for Downing could be more problematic with Middlesbrough determined not to lose one of their star performers.

A new goalkeeper will arrive to provide cover for Jose Reina with Charles Itandje set to move on.

Fan's view - Jake Abbey

You can never be sure with Rafael Benitez. He is no doubt a great manager but some of his signings baffle me.

We have had the likes of Josemi, Nunez, Kromkamp and Morientes. I just hope Bosman signing Phillip Degen will be as good as he is made out to be.

We have a strong spine in my opinion. We have Pepe Reina in goal who was excellent last season. Jamie Carragher may not be the rock he used to be but he is still one of the best centre backs in the Premier League.

The signing of Martin Skrtel and the return of Daniel Agger along with the experience of Hypiia is as strong as you will see.

Gerrard has finally found his best position, just off the striker, and who better to work with then Fernando Torres. He scored a prolific amount of goals last year, even with a slow start.

People are saying that because it is Torres's second season that defenders will know him better but what good will that do? Firstly no defender can stop Torres when his on form and he will know defenders better.

I would like to see an attacking full-back brought in and would love to see Phillip Lahm at the club.

What do you think to the Reds' pre-season transfer activity? Let us have your thoughts using the form below

Full backs finalise moves
Written by Matt Ladson on July 4th, 2008

Full backs Philipp Degen and Andrea Dossena (pictured) have finalised their moves to Liverpool, both signing four year contracts this week. Degen’s arrival from Borussia Dortmund on a Bosman free signing has long been confirmed, while Dossena’s move has been imminent for sometime too.
Dossena joins from Serie A side Udinese for a fee reportedly in the region of £7m, he is seen as direct replacement for John Arne Riise down the Reds’ left side. The 26 year old becomes the first Italian international at Liverpool, having made his debut for his nation last October.
With the full back areas now strengthened, Rafa Benitez and Rick Parry are working to bring in targets for other areas; the Gareth Barry saga rumbles on with Villa still demanding £18m, while Robbie Keane will reportedly be allowed to leave Spurs for £10m plus Peter Crouch.
One area Benitez is certainly looking to improve, despite the failure to so far sell Scott Carson, is for a back-up goalkeeper to replace Charles Itandje. The latest name to be linked with the position is Brazlian Diego Cavalieri. A fee of £3m is being reported for the 26 year old from Palmeiras.
Another signing which has been completed is that of German ‘wonderkid’ Christopher Buchtmann, the 16-year-old has moved from Borussia Dortmund and is described as one of Gemany’s most talented youngsters, capable of playing anywhere down the left.
Harry Kewell’s departure from Anfield has been confirmed for some time but his new club remains in doubt despite Galatasaray announcing a deal for the Aussie forward. Kewell’s agent has today said no final agreement has been made.
Former Liverpool striker Florent Sinama Pongolle, who left for Recreativo De Huelva in 2006, has joined Atletico Madrid.
Degen completed his first training session at Melwood on Friday, and interntionals who played for their country after the season ended (Gerrard, Crouch, Mascherano) will return to training on Monday.