Just who could fill Gerrard’s big boots in midfield?
Following more than a quarter of a century at Liverpool, Steven Gerrard has announced his intention to leave the club at the end of the season.
The Reds captain will see out the rest of his contract before seeking a new challenge abroad with a possible move to the MLS touted.
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Gerrard leaves Anfield with 10 major honours including three League Cups, two FA Cups and, of course,the 2005 Champions League trophy.
Suffice to say, the midfielder leaves some pretty big boots to fill. Therefore, CaughtOffside thought it would take a look at the top five potential candidates the Merseysiders could sign this summer to replace the skipper’s role.
Lars Bender
Bender sits at the base of the midfield and dominates with his powerful style, wide range of passes and inexhaustible work rate.
Could be an easy target to acquire with Christoph Kramer returning from loan at Borussia Monchengladbach and primed to take Bender’s position at Bayer Leverkusen.
Radja Nainggolan
A prime and powerful bull in the midfield, the Belgian has become indispensable in the centre of the park at the Stadio Olimpico ruling the roost of any midfield he plays against.
His move would be perfect for the Reds but complicated by the ability to buy him outright as AS Roma only own half of the rights to Nainggolan with Cagliari owning the remaining 50% and looking for a hefty fee to release them.
Fabian Delph
Liverpool were reportedly already keen on Delph before Gerrard’s exit was announced and the England midfielder’s tenacity and never say day attitude would brilliantly replicate the 34-year-old as the beating heart of the side in the centre of the park.
The added bonus is that the 25-year-old is also out of contract this summer and would be available on a free at the end of the season.
Alex Song
Song’s Barcelona move might have stagnated the Cameroonian’s career for two seasons but the former Arsenal man has had somewhat of a renaissance at West Ham United by becoming crucial to their brilliant form throughout the first half of this campaign.
He’s best known for being a defensive midfielder but the 27-year-old has a range of passing that can unlock any defence and a range of skills and tricks that some of the league’s best strikers could only hope to learn.
He may occasionally lose concentration or make idiotic mistakes but is a tough tackling terrier with the ability to go forward and would be a fine addition to any attacking side.
Morgan Schneiderlin
Schneiderlin seems to be on nearly every club’s shortlist so Liverpool may even have to target the Saints man in January if they want him at Anfield.
Schneiderlin is a dominating, Premier League ready, midfield general who would be the ideal man at the base of the Reds attack.
He’s strong, commanding with a range of skills and passes and the stamina of a marathon runner.
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