There seems to be a popular myth in football nowadays: youth brings success. England are ever reliant on emerging players, with Raheem Sterling, who was classified as a child a few years ago, now running the show for the Three Lions while Theo Walcott was taken to the World Cup way back in 2006 as a teenager with little senior first-team experience.
The logic in relying on young players is clear on many counts. From a cynical financial view their value will only increase for the foreseeable future leading to an eventual sale, but in terms of playing style they also, typically, add energy and often the creative spark that can come with naivety and exuberance.
This is why Liverpool fans were genuinely excited to see the aforementioned Sterling make his Champions League debut last nught against Ludogorets. The 19-year-old was rested for the Reds’ loss to Aston Villa over the weekend making a staring berth against the Bulgarians a guarantee. Without him Brendan Rodgers’ side were poor, adding further credence to claims that he is now a key man at the club. Mario Balotelli, just 24-years-old, was also looked to for inspiration, while the likes of Alberto Moreno, Javier Manquillo and a host of other players are still at the very starts of their respective careers.
Sterling impressed, while Balotelli scored his first Liverpool goal, but once again captain fantastic was relied upon to save the day. Gerrard stepped up deep into injury time to slot home a penalty kick to salvage three points after Ludogorets had equalised at the very end of normal time as if he was playing in the park with his pals. Some things never change.
Gerrard lies at the other pole of the age spectrum to the aforementioned players, yet his presence was once again vital – albeit in a different sense than in years gone by. ‘Mr Merseyside’ has been the heartbeat of the Liverpool team for the best part of 15 years and has supplied some moments that play on repeat in every Kopite’s memory when the famous anthem that goes with European nights kicks in. His legs may not have the same spring anymore, nor his lungs contain the same driving force of oxygen, but ‘Stevie G’ could well be the most important member of Brendan Rodgers’ side for their return to the big time.
After Martin Skrtel was unable to shake off an injury, Gerrard was the only man in the XI who was present in Liverpool’s previous Champions league outing way back in 2009, and his nous and know-how will be vital through this campaign. A number of the new signings – Balotelli was a part of Inter Milan’s trophy-lifting side from 2010 – have experience in the competition, but none of them boast the CV Gerrard can call upon.
The goal vs Olympiakos. The header in the final. Pulling apart Real Madrid in a 4-0 win at Anfield. All of these experiences, and many more, are locked away within the 34-year-old’s brain, and his proficiency in the biggest games on the biggest stage could be of vital use.
Now operating from a position almost among his own backline, we won’t see Gerrard steaming into the box to latch onto a cut-back, nor will we see him charging through the middle of the pitch like a ruddy-faced whirlwind with that famous scouse scowl, but his influence could be far greater. In his new role the skipper dictates Liverpool’s momentum and sets the pace at which they play. Almost every ball from his centre-backs finds him, where his radar can be used to pick out his younger and more mobile colleagues. Andrea Pirlo has been doing this for years, and he really is now the ultimate ‘fine wine player’.
While Sterling, Balotelli and Daniel Sturridge upon his return from injury will grab the headlines on other occasions, Gerrard will be the metronome swinging at the base of the XI. Rodgers will have to manage him effectively to ensure that he can play the majority of the minutes, but the Northern Irishman may have to make that sacrifice in league games to ensure that his most important player can once again make the difference in the Champions League, even if it may not be in the way he used to.
After all, he did save his side once again last night.
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