Top five midfielders to watch out for next season

Steven Gerrard

Enough doubts have been raised around the name of the talismanic figure at Liverpool. Gerrard’s fitness issues held him back during much of the 2011-12, but he has returned with some force and consistency. Gerrard played the 90 minutes of each and every Liverpool league game till those matches became of little consequence to his team’s final standing on the table. It is a pity that, in recent years, the quality around him has disappeared as he has had to combine with half-cooked or young players. Gerrard’s contribution in terms of 9 goals and 9 assists this season does not fully reflect his contribution as he linked defence and attack with tirelessness in the absence of Lucas for a large part of the season. Since the return of the Brazilian, he has been able to play with more aggression and intent. Gerrard’s game has evolved over the last few years as he sits in a deeper role and executes his accurate long range passes with incredible consistency. With Philippe Coutinho, and more talent around him, Gerrard is likely to be more lethal next season.