For a team to truly inspire to greatness there must be someone willing to take it on his/her back during testing times and inspire his team mates to press on through tribulations. No one in English football possesses this ability more than Liverpool's central midfield captain Steven Gerrard. His team have learned over the seasons that in time of trouble they can look towards captain fantastic to provide a performance that will safely see them through to earning points even in positions where it looked like all was in vain. Anyone who has watched the Premiership can vouch for the awe inspiring performances the 6 ft ,28 yr old English man displays with consistency. Whether it is a through pass, beautiful cross, perfected corner kick or jaw dropping shot on goal, Gerrard has it all. He never gives up and finds ways to punish even the stubborn of defenses often time when Liverpool is facing an almost certain defeat.
His reward for his actions has been top 4 placements in the Premiership, winning the FA Cup, Carling Cup and the glory of holding up the most coveted prize in Europe the Champions League trophy. This season is no different with Liverpool in a good position to challenge long time rivals Manchester Utd for the Premiership title. A goal against Spanish kings Real Madrid during their Champions League match up has also placed Steven's team in pole position to advance towards the finals in Rome. Many critics have felt that Liverpool's recent success has little to do with their manager's questionable team strategies and more dependent on the drive and inspirations of Gerrard.
Gerrard is what I would describe as full footballer. This means he has not only garners the physical abilities of a top footballer but has the mental maturity that entails precise football intelligence and the ability to inspire and earn the respect of his team mates as well as his opponents. Gerrard is a very versatile midfield player, he has been utilized in central midfield or on the right. He is also a very effective supporting striker. He is masterful in dead ball positions such as free kicks and corners. When it comes to shots on goal he is one of the most deadly marksmen in the business. No angle is too difficult for Gerrard to shoot. He has defied the laws of Physics with shots that have made the ball bend at the last minute to elude a grasping keeper. He has an amazing array of shots that can consist of low perfectly angle shots or spinning aerial missiles. The outcome is usually the ball ending in the back of the net. He has the intelligence and ability to control the tempo of the game from a central position. He also can control the wing executing passes that open up spaces in defense. When he is utilized as a supporting striker, he becomes a potent attacking force. Last season Benitez placed him in this role to partner with his newly acquired striker Torres. The impact was devastating to opponents defenses . There developing partnership lead to both players scoring goals almost at will.
When it comes to his leadership qualities there is no question asked. One only has to look back to the 2005 when he placed Liverpool on his back and pushed his team to overcome a 3-0 deficit to go on to overcome AC Milan to win the Champions League. This season we have seen him provided a goal or assist in lacklustre performances to ensure that his team comes away victors. His team mates share the same sentiments as Liverpool's favourite adopted son Torres made it clear that Liverpool FC is Steven Gerrard. Gerrard who suffers from injuries regularly is immediately missed and the team seems to lose a bit of energy when he is on the sidelines. This season is a dream season because Gerrard has never come closer to winning the Premiership title and has expressed that he desires nothing more at the end of the season than to win it. There will be a number of obstacles including overcoming a recent injury to achieve this, but you can be assured that Gerrard will put in a 150% to achieve his goal.
His reward for his actions has been top 4 placements in the Premiership, winning the FA Cup, Carling Cup and the glory of holding up the most coveted prize in Europe the Champions League trophy. This season is no different with Liverpool in a good position to challenge long time rivals Manchester Utd for the Premiership title. A goal against Spanish kings Real Madrid during their Champions League match up has also placed Steven's team in pole position to advance towards the finals in Rome. Many critics have felt that Liverpool's recent success has little to do with their manager's questionable team strategies and more dependent on the drive and inspirations of Gerrard.
Gerrard is what I would describe as full footballer. This means he has not only garners the physical abilities of a top footballer but has the mental maturity that entails precise football intelligence and the ability to inspire and earn the respect of his team mates as well as his opponents. Gerrard is a very versatile midfield player, he has been utilized in central midfield or on the right. He is also a very effective supporting striker. He is masterful in dead ball positions such as free kicks and corners. When it comes to shots on goal he is one of the most deadly marksmen in the business. No angle is too difficult for Gerrard to shoot. He has defied the laws of Physics with shots that have made the ball bend at the last minute to elude a grasping keeper. He has an amazing array of shots that can consist of low perfectly angle shots or spinning aerial missiles. The outcome is usually the ball ending in the back of the net. He has the intelligence and ability to control the tempo of the game from a central position. He also can control the wing executing passes that open up spaces in defense. When he is utilized as a supporting striker, he becomes a potent attacking force. Last season Benitez placed him in this role to partner with his newly acquired striker Torres. The impact was devastating to opponents defenses . There developing partnership lead to both players scoring goals almost at will.
When it comes to his leadership qualities there is no question asked. One only has to look back to the 2005 when he placed Liverpool on his back and pushed his team to overcome a 3-0 deficit to go on to overcome AC Milan to win the Champions League. This season we have seen him provided a goal or assist in lacklustre performances to ensure that his team comes away victors. His team mates share the same sentiments as Liverpool's favourite adopted son Torres made it clear that Liverpool FC is Steven Gerrard. Gerrard who suffers from injuries regularly is immediately missed and the team seems to lose a bit of energy when he is on the sidelines. This season is a dream season because Gerrard has never come closer to winning the Premiership title and has expressed that he desires nothing more at the end of the season than to win it. There will be a number of obstacles including overcoming a recent injury to achieve this, but you can be assured that Gerrard will put in a 150% to achieve his goal.
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