It was unthinkable to consider life without him at Anfield. The reaction back then was initially denial and then latterly bordering on hatred. The vitriol aired by many in the direction of Steven Gerrard for even having the temerity to consider moving to Chelsea was at times frightening. In fact it got so bad that it was even suggested by a red faced media that death threats were the reason he stayed.
I dont for one moment think there is any credence to that view point. But what I do know is that Steven Gerrard WAS persuaded to stay. People alot closer to Gerrard influenced him and he changed his mind. But this is where it all went wrong for Liverpool FC. Steven Gerrard should be at Liverpool FC because HE wants to be there. Not because he has been coerced into it. When I heard he was staying I was overjoyed. But something didnt ring true with his body language at the press conference. He didnt look like he was sincere.
My fear was that he would only be here physically but mentally he wanted to be someplace else. From what I have seen this season Gerrard has been a virtual bit part player simply going through the motions. In fact he reminds me very much of Michael Owen last season. The body language speaks volumes for the guy. At no time has he ever sincerely and forcefully sated that his future lies at Anfield. He hasnt dismissed renewed rumours of his departure as soon as they were aired. His silence on this aspect also speaks volumes for him.
I dont want him to even consider staying next season out of some blind loyalty for scoring an own goal which cost us a trophy. If he stays it has to be because HE wants to. It has to be because HE believes Benitez will bring success back to Anfield. Not because he is guilty. And not because he has been coerced by certain quarters into staying. Under those circumstances we will have another season where Gerrard is mostly anonymous. Another season where the press continue to speculate about his impending departure. Another season where everytime we win its down to one man, even though statistics prove we have been more successful without him than with him this season.
This is why I feel it is time Gerrard was given our blessing to leave. There is no point in keeping someone here aginst there will. There is no point him staying because he doesnt want to be viewed in the same way Rooney is by Evertonians. He will never be remembered as an all time Anfield great a la Dalglish or Toshack. But if he thought he would be greeted back in the same way any Liverpool old boy has been then that would ease this worry. I dont want there to be any suggestion of reprisals on his family should he leave. He should be given our blessing. Its time for him to see if the grass is greener elsewhere.
So what would happen to Liverpool FC if he was sold?
Well I for one think it would be the making of us in the same way selling Rooney has galvanised Everton. We already have a better more skillful player in Alonso to fill his role. And with £30m to spend I am sure Benitez would sign some real quality in the same mould as Alonso and Morientes. More importantly we would be Liverpool Football Club again and not just Steven Gerrard FC.
This season when Gerrard has been out the players who have filled in have played as a unit. The performances have been improved and a team ethic more evident. More players stand to the fore instead of waiting for one man to do it. With this in mind I am sure Liverpool will be far stronger without Gerrard than with him.
If I had read this last summer I would have dismissed it as nonensense. But eight months further on it is clear Gerrard is a disheartened unhappy player who hasnt got the fight anymore in him to play for Liverpool FC. Its this which provides the proof that we should let him go this summer with our blessing and move on to greater things with the money his sale would bring.
Click here to comment on this article and check out other articles on Supared's Standpoint