Liverpool has recently been the unluckiest English side after departure of some of the high profile names like Luis Suárez coz they nowhere expected their performance would become so negligible both in home as well European tourney where they are struggling to even survive. The job of manager Brendan Rodgers has hence becomes even more pressing under lots of criticism post hiring Italian forward Mario Balotelli to fill the space created by the Uruguayan but former AC Milan failed to impress anyone on his second English spell. Steven Gerrard is the another player who has been passing through criticism for his role and placement in the field and manager Rodgers is solemnly being blamed for using him at unfavorable position but condemning all those assessments Irishman is not willing to accept that he used Gerrard out of the course anyways, perhaps he said at this age, he can best be used at deeper positions and if he is not being able to prove his skills residing at far, he should not be held liable for it as he chooses players on the basis of their merits. He clearly hinted that 34-year-old should not expect too much at this stage of his career or should satisfy with what he is being offered by the club bosses.
However, manager still calls him a best player yet refuses to use him on forward positions, what he said about him is, “People expect Steven to be the type of player he was 10 or 12 years ago but sadly that’s not the case. Steven has been slowly adapting to a position I felt would really benefit the team — the playmaking role behind.
“That player who scored 15 a season and made 13 or 14 assists — he’s not that type of player anymore. It’s hugely unfair he gets judged on that level. He can play three games a week but not to the level he would like or I would like so it’s up to me to manage that. It’s fairly easy to manage because he’s such a top-class professional player. He accepts what’s best for Liverpool. He knows that every decision is in the best interests of the club.”
Further talking about his finest player, 41-year-old added, “He’s a wonderful player. I can safely say he’s the best player I’ve ever worked with — his mentality, commitment and loyalty he’s shown the football club has been incredible.
“I’ve shown in my time here as manager that I don’t deal in sentiment. There is nothing sentimental about me picking Steven. I judge him on what I see on the training field. I see the influence he has with the other players. Of course he’s coming to the latter part of his career but he still has a big contribution to make for me.”