Centurion Gerrard Excels In Deeper Role For Liverpool

Steven Gerrard sparked a nationwide frenzy on Tuesday night as his deft flick over Poland goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny confirmed England’s spot in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, and the 33-year-old had more reason to celebrate this weekend as Liverpool travelled to Newcastle. After Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa hauled Luis Suarez to the ground inside the penalty area and subsequently sent off, Gerrard collected the ball and coolly converted from the spot in what was his 100th Premier League goal of his career. His placid celebrations suggested that the milestone meant little to the Liverpool skipper, and he confirmed that he would have rather the victory under his belt than the landmark, but a closer look at his individual performance shows that he could have done little more to secure Liverpool the three points.

This season Gerrard has enjoyed a deeper role than he’s played in recent years, largely due to the flexibility of Brendan Rodgers’ new-look frontline, but it’s benefitted his game greatly. Only Aaron Ramsey has accumulated a higher Performance Score this term in the Premier League, and Gerrard was in fine form again at St James’ Park on Saturday.

The Liverpool skipper’s range of passing was certainly on display in the North East – Gerrard completed 95/107 of his attempted tackles and was integral to the Reds’ desire to dominate the game in the opposition areas. The midfielder completed five key passes in the Newcastle half positioned himself brilliantly throughout, but he also chipped in with the donkey work.

All four of his attempted tackles resulted in Gerrard coming away with the ball and he made three clearances as he dominated proceedings in the middle. Paired with Jordan Henderson in the middle, Gerrard was able to drive forward and link up with Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge as well as spray balls into the wider areas where Victor Moses was operating.

Looking at Gerrard’s heat map it shows a vivid triangle in the central areas. His energy levels may have dropped but his awareness in the middle of the pitch is essential to Rodgers’ cocktail of fast, attacking football. He has racked up a pass completion rate of 86% so far from his eight games this season and carved 16 key passes, as well as hitting the target with 62% of his shots.

Gerrard is thriving this season as Brendan Rodgers continues to implement his silky regime into the squad, and should he sustain the levels he is at present then he could finally, finally get his mitts on that elusive Premier League title.