We particularly liked one analogy of Liverpool’s attempts to replace Luis Suarez in the summer. The idea was that, in selling one superstar and recruiting loads of other players, Liverpool were selling an iPhone and replacing it with a fax machine, a printer, a computer and a telephone.
This idea surely suits Steven Gerrard even more. He’s such a multi-talented player – a defender, a passmaster and a scorer of great goals – that it will be almost impossible to find a like for like replacement. Instead Liverpool may have to sign several players who can each fulfil one of Stevie G’s many functions.
We really like the look of Emre Can but latest reports suggest that Liverpool are keen on a more livewire player to fill the void – perhaps in January. The Mirror states:
Liverpool lead Fabian Delph chase as Brendan Rodgers prepares for life after Steven Gerrard
The Aston Villa midfielder is out of contract in the summer and with current captain Gerrard turning 35 in May, Rodgers could make a move in January
The fact that he’s out of contract next summer means that he will probably move on soonish. Having just broken into the England side the player will feel that he can kick on with a bigger club.
To liken him to Steven Gerrard would be unfair on both however. Delph is a mobile, athletic and slippery customer who can make things happen. But he may never be the all-round midfield general that the Liverpool captain has become.
We like the pace of Delph and he’s a busy player. But his success at Liverpool would be far from guaranteed. He could go either way but is probably worth a punt, considering that he won’t cost that much with his contract so close to expiring.
Let’s take look at the lad in action. Liverpool fans: worth a punt?
