Liverpool reliant on Gerrard, admits Rodgers
Wednesday 30 January 2013
Brendan Rodgers has admitted that Liverpool still rely on captain Steven Gerrard and praised the midfielder’s performance in the Reds’ FA Cup exit to Oldham Athletic on Sunday, according to the Daily Mirror.
Gerrard started the match on the bench but with the tie slipping away from the Premier League side, was introduced by Rodgers in the second-half. The England skipper was unable to turn around the scoreline but the consensus was that Gerrard raised the level of Liverpool’s performance almost single-handed, hitting the crossbar with a late effort that could have taken the game to an Anfield replay.
Rodgers believes that Gerrard, 32, remains indispensable to Liverpool, having urged the club’s young players to follow the example of the long-serving player. “” Rodgers said.
“Steven Gerrard is a unique player. When he came on at Oldham it was like someone had dropped him from Heaven, because we went to a totally different level. We are under no illusions because the Oldham game made it clear in terms of the depth of the squad the problems we have when we have to change the team around.
“With each day that goes on you see the real importance he still has to the club. At 32 years of age, he still looks so fit, strong and you can see his influence on the team. As a captain he's been phenomenal,” the former Swansea City boss added.
Rodgers also noted that he and Gerrard have talked of agreeing a new contract before his existing deal expires, although the manager emphasised that nothing had been put in writing as yet.
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