Liverpool host fierce rivals Manchester United at Anfield on Sunday afternoon, with the Reds favourites to pick up all three points as a result of their fantastic form in the Premier League of late. Brendan Rodgers’ men are fifth in the table after 29 games, and have won five league outings on the bounce. They have returning long-serving midfielder and captain Steven Gerrard available to start, but should he come straight back into the side?
The Merseysiders have beaten the likes of Tottenham, Southampton and Manchester City in consecutive weeks to boost their chances of finishing in the top-four of the table come May, and their unbeaten run in the division has been stretched to 13 games. Their impressive form has also coincided with the absence of club captain Steven Gerrard, who has missed six of Liverpool last 11 top-flight fixtures. While the ex-England international has been out of the side, Liverpool have won every game, conceding only two goals.
Rodgers scrapped playing three central midfielders in the side months ago, and has turned their form around with a 3-4-3 formation. Gerrard had floated around in a number of positions, playing as one of the three attackers, wing-back, and as a deep-lying central midfielder. Joe Allen and Jordan Henderson have impressive while the 34-year-old has been sidelined, so why would the manager make a change to a winning side?
“Who do you leave out? Henderson, you don’t leave out. Allen was maybe one of the best players on the pitch against Man City. I don’t think (Rodgers will) play Steven Gerrard. The team is playing well. They’ve been on a great run since Steven has been out of the team. Unfortunately, he’ll know himself, when you go out the team and the team continue on a great run, it’s hard to get back in. It’s unfortunate for him but we’ve all been there towards the end of our career,” said former Liverpool player and Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher.
Manchester United have been woeful away from home this season, dropping points from five of their last seven games on the road. Liverpool are the big favourites to win, which will see them replace Louis van Gaal’s side in the top-four too. They can win without Gerrard in the team, but the captain is the lifeblood of the club, and knows what’s required in this fixture than any other. He’s not as young as he once was, but remains an influential figure in the team.
Should Liverpool leave out Steven Gerrard in Sunday’s clash against Manchester United? Or does he deserve to start?
