Well,
First of all, I think Steven Gerrard excelled in the past is due to the presence of Alonso. Whether he's beside or in front of him, Stevie would perform well as we have seen him excel as a right winger in 2004/2005, a centre midfielder beside Alonso is other seasons and in front of Alonso (or just behind the lone striker) in 2007 to 2009. I am not putting down Lucas or Mascherano but IMO, Alonso was in a class of his own. That quality of a range of passing and vision second to none and being able to keep his composure while under pressure most of the time has made Xabi Alonso a pretty reliable man in the centre of the park and players like this don't come often. Alonso lacks the sliding tackle ability but he has quick feet and we have seen that many times. He's also pretty influential in games.
Furthermore, Xabi Alonso plays forward passed be it to the centre, left or right more than Lucas and Mascherano does. I know Xabi Alonso is gone and we should move on, but I just thought this would be a reason, not entirely but one of it that has contributed to our indifferent start to the league. I just feel that with Lucas and Mascherano behind him and they are not Xabi Alonso, Stevie at times had to take the job of putting in that killer ball. Having said that, at times he needed to be drop back and there's a hole between the striker and the centre.
Next, it isn't easy for a human to put on a great performance, week in week out, for 15 years especially once you've hit the late twenties and approaching the early thirties. I know Stevie had his best season in a Red shirt last season and it's pretty a difficult achievement to reach when he isn't getting any younger. As a person gets older, they tend to become less flexible in movements. Stevie is 29, and that's why I don't think he dribbles alot anymore. He used to even burst into the box with pace when he was 18,19,20,21 ... 27.
I just feel it's unfair to expect a great performance from him every game especially with the fact that he's getting older.
However, I don't think he's past his prime just yet. I believe he can go on for at least another 3 years. We probably just have to be patient and I believe he and the team would start performing once again when Aquilani comes into the side.
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