2) Steven Gerrard is past his best, and needs to be used in a different way.
Teams have worked him out, and unfortunately for Liverpool’s legendary skipper, his days in the starting eleven have to be numbered after an indifferent start to the season – and that’s probably being generous.
Gerrard simply doesn’t influence games in the way he once did. When played in the holding role, opposition teams will place two combative midfielders on him and prevent him having time on the ball. As a result of the pressure, his passing goes astray, and Liverpool’s quarterback type role is negated.
On some occasions, Rodgers has attempted to spring a surprise by playing Gerrard in a more advance role. The 34-year-old just doesn’t have the legs for this anymore, sadly. When you have players like Emre Can and Jordan Henderson missing out to accommodate Gerrard, something isn’t right.