by Harry Dowd scored » Tue May 10, 2022 11:57 am
Interesting take on tonight’s game by Martin Samuel - :
No chance Gerrard waves white flag
Without disrespecting Aston Villa, long term, Steven Gerrard probably wants the Liverpool job. Having played for them 710 times, he wouldn't be human if he didn't. This is why the idea that Villa will helpfully roll over to allow Liverpool an easy three points tonight is bunkum. Who would be impressed by that? Certainly not any future employer.
During his time with Liverpool, Brendan Rodgers was rated as one of the leading young coaches in Europe. In 2014, however, he left out his best players — including Gerrard — for a Champions League group fixture at Real Madrid. Liverpool only lost 1-0 but that was due to Madrid's wastefulness. They had 27 chances and nine shots on target. Rodgers' reputation, however, was the biggest loser.
Before the game, Madrid were considered a viable destination for an ambitious coach like him. No mention of it since, though, despite excellent returns at Celtic and Leicester. That was, in many ways, his audition. Had his Liverpool team gone there and won, or even put it up to Madrid, he would be remembered.
Steven Gerrard needs to show he can be a great Liverpool manager as well as a great ex-player
Assessments are ongoing. Mainz, as coached by Jurgen Klopp, played Borussia Dortmund six times during his time there: W1 D4 L1, despite Dortmund being much the bigger team. Do you not think that made a difference when they were seeking a new manager?
If being a great Liverpool player was all that mattered, Kenny Dalglish would still be in charge. Gerrard needs more. He needs to show he can be a great Liverpool manager, too. An impressive start would be to beat them in a match that really counted. And Gerrard knows this. He may not win tonight, but he cannot afford an obligingly meek surrender; not for the present, or the future.
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