Whether Gerrard is jumping ship or has been pushed, Liverpool still can’t afford to lose him

As a Liverpool fan, the surprising news of Steven Gerrard’s (premature) departure was certainly not the New Years gift I was hoping for. For the second half of the season, an error free Simon Mignolet or an injury free Daniel Sturridge was closer to what I had in mind. But after cutting through the crimson waves of emotion, sadness, sentiment and appreciation that have greeted Gerrard’s announcement to seek pastures new, despite advancing years and the inevitable restriction of his abilities, this season – with the possible exception of Raheem Sterling – he is once again proving to be Liverpool’s best player. And Liverpool can ill afford to let him leave and should have done more to keep him.

At the time of writing, his match-winning brace against AFC Wimbledon has put Liverpool into the next round of the FA Cup taking him three goals clear as the club’s top scorer this season. His fourth goal in two games as manager Brendan Rodgers has finally realised the most effective place to deploy his aging skipper is higher up the pitch – as Rafa Benitez first did – where his in still-in-tact match-winning thrusts are best utilised.

This is surely why Brendan Rodgers – as big a Gerrard fan as any of his previous managers at Anfield – wants to measure his game time so that he’s available for the key battles. A strategy, despite Gerrard’s apparent fear of becoming a ‘squad player’, that has seen Anfield’s most celebrated no.8 once again be amongst the team’s top league starters this term. Against the backdrop of Frank Lampard’s continued excellence at Man City after being discarded by Chelsea, it beggars belief that Gerrard is even being allowed to leave, before you even consider how much experience and know how would be lost. Amidst the accolades and eulogies, the PR spin from Gerrard and Liverpool is clouding whether he has jumped, is being pushed or has simply misinterpreted Rodgers wanting to protect his 34 year old legs. But what is clear is that even after 17 years of distinguished service and excellence, this Liverpool side will be a significantly lesser team without Gerrard in it.

Ten ‘alternative’ Jose Mourinho Christmas sound bites

Jose Mourinho’s post-match taunt that Arsenal players ‘like to cry’ after the Gunners and their manager vented their irritation with Chelsea’s tough tackling during Monday’s drab 0-0 draw got me thinking about ten ‘alternative’ festive or New Year’s statements you’re unlikely to hear from ‘The Happy One’ this Christmas*.

* Please note the below statements are all fictional and at no time is any claim being made they were uttered by Jose Mourinho or his staff (though I’d pay very good money to hear him say ANY of them).

Merry Christmas everyone!

1. I’m essentially a defensive minded coach whose success is routed in stopping other teams from playing. Win by taking risks? I’m the Floyd Mayweather of football m*therf*cker! I’m still learning how best to deploy attacking players, Ronaldo pretty much carried Real Madrid during my time there. And yet I still couldn’t win the European Cup. Not so special after all eh?

2. I send Rafa Benitez a Christmas card every year. Easter too, if I have time to get round to it. What a guy.

3. John Terry is a player with little shame, in all likelihood a racist, though if he helps win me football matches he is still a ‘champion’ in my eyes. What did he say to Anton Ferdinand again?

4. Of course I wanted to be Manchester United manager – who the f*ck is David Moyes anyway? The timing was perfect but I suppose I’m too controversial and never stay anywhere long enough to finish a big ‘project’. And even I couldn’t keep Anderson in my squad.

5. There’s nothing wrong with constantly reverting to players you trust and have managed before. You know the saying, age is just a number always more important than goals per season. That’s why Eto instead of Lukaku was a no brainer. Duh!

6. Hiding in a laundry bin? That’s rubbish! I mean, it was a rubbish bin and of course I was hiding in there. Take that Platini!

7. Sir Alex Ferguson is an infinitely better manager than me. I was rolling in money during my first spell at Chelsea and at Real Madrid and guess what…never took a team to a Champions League final. #winning!

8. Arsene Wenger is really my half-brother, we’re just siblings squabbling really. It’s ‘cos I got the looks at birth, hence why he’s always been determined to play more attractive football than me.

9. I fucking love sliding on my knees when my team scores. If only I could do a proper Klinsmann. Groundsmen never water the touchlines enough. Bastards.

10. ‘Special’ is a strong word, I did okay at Porto. And Madrid. Fair is fair, Rafa winning the Champions League with that Liverpool team of nobodies was way more special. I sent him an extra Christmas card for that, though The Drog will always be my Christmas number one.