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The age-old myth of a player’s lifespan in football is a constant discussion point around the world and for Liverpool great Steven Gerrard, there is persistent conjecture about his supposed waining effect on the pitch.
The 34-year-old is currently in his 16th season at Anfield and his achievements are there for all to see – Champions League winner, two FA Cups, three League Cups, UEFA Cup and UEFA Super Cup.
The glaring admission from that list is of course a League title and the pain of last season’s fatal slip against Chelsea will be burning in his stomach for a while yet.
However, the most interesting facet about his outstanding season last campaign was his switch to a more defensive-minded midfield position and how he used his exceptional football nous to orchestrate Liverpool’s title charge to great effect.
It appeared too that as his feet gave way on the halfway line at Anfield on that dark April afternoon, the critics were ready to pounce and used his misfortune to start questioning his prowess in the defensive midfield role.
The Liverpool captain then found himself shouldering the blame for the late capitulation at Crystal Palace, and although there is an argument to suggest that he needed to use his leadership qualities to stem the tide, it wasn’t his defensive errors that resulted in the three goals being scored.
Now after seven rounds of the <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/2014/10/08/premier-league-tactics-corner-round-7/">Premier League</a> season and the international break upon us, the doubters are still circling around Gerrard’s effectiveness in his midfield role – but a new twist surfaced from the last 15 minutes on Saturday as Liverpool sealed a 2-1 victory over West Brom.
With a quarter of an hour to go at Anfield, Philippe Coutinho’s number was raised on the fourth official’s board and Lucas replaced him. It appeared as though that the Brazilian defensive midfielder was going to partner Gerrard and shield the back four in the hope to rule out another late equalizer.
However, what ensued will not only put a smile on the Liverpool fans’ faces, but will also make the critics think twice about questioning whether his time under Brendan Rodgers is coming to an end.
Gerrard vacated the defensive midfield role for the incoming Lucas and moved into the attacking midfield position that he had previously flourished in for over a decade at Anfield.
In this brief 15 minute spell, Liverpool had their most effective spell of incisive forward play and the enigmatic <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/2014/08/21/mario-balotelli-the-man-the-myth-the-legend/">Mario Balotelli</a> appeared to enjoy combining with his captain’s quick one-touch passing.
Gerrard’s ability to see the play unfold well before others, allows him to break down the commonly stubborn defenses that visit Anfield and it looked as though he relished returning to the position that made him so revered.
With Rodgers’ side currently sitting ninth on the table and nine points off leaders Chelsea, Gerrard’s influence over another busy period coming up cannot be underestimated and the return of Daniel Sturridge will add that missing dynamism in attack.
Although it seems unlikely that Liverpool will make a similar late charge to one they enjoyed last season, if the likes of Balotelli, Sturridge and Raheem Sterling can all get on the pitch at the same time, then there should be renewed cause for optimism on the Kop and you never know – maybe then the critics will give the Liverpool captain a richly deserved break.

Steven Gerrard’s Attacking Midfield Cameo New For Liverpool - World Soccer Talk

Steven Gerrard’s Attacking Midfield Cameo New For Liverpool

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Supporting <a href="worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/2014/09/28/the-best-manchester-united-captains-have-always-had-a-pact-with-the-devil/">Manchester United</a> as an Australian has been a difficult practice of late, given the club’s downward spiral after Sir Alex Ferguson retired after 27 years at the helm.
David Moyes infamously replaced the legendary Scot, and that is when the United shambles began.
Like in England and many other parts of the world, non-United supporters took this moment as the perfect opportunity to have a laugh at United, because of course they had no reason to laugh in the 27 years prior.
At the moment under Louis van Gaal’s tutelage, things seem to be getting better, but United is still a constant source of humor for most football fans.
In Australia, I would argue that we are ‘Big 4’ supporters, with a smattering of football fans following the smaller Premier League clubs. United, Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool are by far the most heavily supported clubs, with Liverpool and United in particularly outdoing the other two.
Last year, both sides visited Australia in their pre-season tours for a friendly game, with United selling out the Olympic stadium in Sydney, and <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/2014/10/09/liverpool-under-pressure-to-retain-rising-superstar-raheem-sterling/">Liverpool</a> doing the same with the 100,000 capacity MCG (Melbourne Cricket Ground) in Melbourne, which some argue is the greatest sporting stadium in the world.
Clearly the Red Devils have a massive following in Australia, and indeed around the world, and it is not at all surprising to see United shirts on the streets, or in the shopping centres or even at the local A-League. United have built a brand that is synonymous around the world, and in Australia it’s no exception.
All the matches here are broadcast live, with the only downside being the matches are played at early hours in the morning – 2am and 4.30am kick-off times are a strain! We get the live stream directly from the United Kingdom’s Sky Sports coverage, which makes for excellent coverage of the Premier League.
Our local professional league here in Australia, the A-League, remains in its infancy, but the game is certainly growing.
The league is in its 10th year this year, with it coming in after the old National Soccer League competition was re-shaped into a more professional football league.
Club support varies between different cities, although the passion for Western Sydney Wanderers and Melbourne Victory is something to behold.
However, the love for the Premier League, especially United, is undeniable.
Most young kids who play football or who are interested in football follow United simply because they have been brought up in an era where they won everything.
They boasted the likes of David Beckham, Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and now Angel di Maria, Radamel Falcao and Robin van Persie are the names that appear on the back of jerseys in the streets of Australia.
Manchester United are an obsession for football fans in Australia, and while they are going through a transitional phase with less silverware than they are used to, they will forever be a world football superpower and hold a stranglehold on the Australian market.

ALL POSTS TAGGED "english premier league" - Page 7

Leagues: EPL

Steven Gerrard’s Attacking Midfield Cameo New For Liverpool

Leagues: EPL

What It's Like Supporting Manchester United From Australia