Steven Gerrard‘s role in the Liverpool team is a hotly debated topic at present – with most supporters now beginning to see a huge problem with playing him every game as the side’s holding midfielder. Even Jamie Carragher has now said as much.
But, speaking at Liverpool’s pre-match press conference in Sofia on Tuesday evening – ahead of the Champions League tie with Ludogorets – Rickie Lambert has said that criticism of Gerrard is “shocking” given “what he has done for the club”.
“If he has a bad game it’s up to others to stand up,” claimed Lambert.
While it’s admirable that Lambert defends his captain – arguably Liverpool’s greatest ever player – but to suggest that any player should not be criticised for their performances now, based upon their performances in the past, shows exactly what the problem is.
Lambert’s comments were posted on twitter by reporters at the press conference and immediately responded to by supporters; most baffled by the absurd logic that a player’s past performances make them immune from criticism now.
https://twitter.com/JohnCullTLW/status/537308485973979136
@JamesPearceEcho attitudes like that are part of the problem. No-one should be exempt from criticism.
— J (@LFCTikiTaka) November 25, 2014
https://twitter.com/Norm_Nesbitt/status/537306981078695936
https://twitter.com/Norm_Nesbitt/status/537306981078695936
https://twitter.com/mainstandred/status/537306355603103744
https://twitter.com/spioen_kop/status/537306606208565248
https://twitter.com/Hari_Sethi/status/537307021410725888
https://twitter.com/RyanMcTrippy/status/537309081783263232
Last RT. That is part of the problem, just because Gerrard has done so much for the club doesn't mean he should be spared criticism.
— Sam Drury (@SamDrury11) November 25, 2014
He is no means the only problem but he is becoming a major one & his brilliance over the past 15 years doesn't change that. #LFC
— Sam Drury (@SamDrury11) November 25, 2014
Just because a player has done a lot for a club in the past, shouldn't mean they are forever immune from criticism, Rickie.
— Matt Ladson (@mattladson) November 25, 2014
Rodgers then went on to claim that he is not picking Gerrard based on sentiment:
Rodgers: I've shown in my time here as manager I don't deal on sentiment. Nothing sentimental about me picking Steven Gerrard. #LFC .
— James Pearce (@JamesPearceLFC) November 25, 2014
That despite Gerrard playing 90 minutes of every single Premier League game this season, and despite the clear problems he is having at age 34 as teams tactically target and expose his weaknesses.
Gerrard played the full game at Palace on Sunday, with Emre Can instead replacing the far more effective Joe Allen in the second half.
Is criticism of Gerrard’s recent performances “shocking”? Should he be immune from criticism based on previous performances?
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