Brendan Rodgers’ Gerrard Conundrum

With Steven Gerrard returning from a month long absence this week, the biggest dilemma for Rodgers will be whether to use the talismanic captain as a bit-part player from the bench, or as a starter from now till the end of the season. Gerrard is now entering the final few months of his Liverpool career, and surely there is a lot of sentiment from quarters of the Anfield faithful for him to play as much football for the club till he departs. However, since his absence Liverpool have been on a scintillating run of games having won 8 and drawn 1 game in the Premier League.

The current squad is revolved around the dovetailing of Philippe Coutinho and Raheem Sterling and with the current set up; it is difficult to see Gerrard forcing his way into the starting eleven. The big question now though, is how does Rodgers tackle this situation? Will he be doing the right thing by using Gerrard as an impact substitute? Or, does he allow sentiment to get in the way of his decision-making process to start with legendary player?

The answer is – to use him as an impact substitute. As bitter a pill that is to swallow for the fans; it is the truth. For so many years the team has looked up at Gerrard to bring them out of trouble. However, that is not the case anymore. The days of Gerrard pulling Liverpool over the line are gone, as he cannot keep up with fluidity of the current team. The kind of form of this Liverpool side is in suggests that Rodgers is building a team with a new identity; an identity without that does not revolve around their talismanic captain being at the forefront of everything as they prepare for his departure to Los Angeles at the end of the season.

Gerrard will rival one of Coutinho, Lallana, Allen or Henderson for a place in the starting lineup, but on current form, it is difficult to see him displacing any of the above. Coutinho has been the heart of everything good at Liverpool this season and he is finally starting to add goals to his game. Lallana, over the last four games, has forced his way back into the starting eleven with some outstanding displays. Henderson has grown in stature since taking the armband in Gerrard’s absence. Liverpool have not lost a game and he has been scoring, dare we say it, Gerrard-esque goals off late. And Joe Allen has come into form with a run of games under his belt. Despite the years of impeccable service, it is difficult to see Rodgers opting to use him from the start.

Of course a player like Gerrard deserves a proper goodbye. Although, he will be the first person to admit that he would currently not start in this squad. The signs bode well for this Liverpool side as they prepare for life without Gerrard. But, at the same time, Liverpool fans will be wanting their legendary captain to get maximum playing time before his departure.

Another issue that has been talked about a lot since Gerrard announced his decision in January is, how the FA Cup final falls on his birthday and how that would be an ideal send-off for a man that has brought so much joy to Anfield. Yet, the question is would Gerrard start that game? The answer is - on current form, No. Liverpool first need to overcome Blackburn on Sunday, and then defeat whoever they face in the semi-final for this dream to become a reality. Of course between now and the end of the season, the team might face injuries, suspensions or loss of form to players that may allow Gerrard a way back. Although, on current form it is difficult to see him start that game either.

Despite being a massive admirer of Gerrard as a player, and as a man, Rodgers cannot afford to let sentiment get the better of him. Yes, Gerrard deserves a proper farewell, but not at the expense of losing out on a Champions League place. It is not the ideal way to say goodbye for arguably Liverpool’s best ever player. Yet, however, it is something that must be accepted by Gerrard himself as well as the fans.