Always need to plan for the future and have the players there ready to step up whenever called upon. Given we haven't missed Stevie as much over the past 12 months, give or take a month, as we would have a few years ago I think we have got the players. I think the fact we haven't had to rush him back like we have in the past is testament that we can cope without him a bit better now.
He's not irreplaceable because nobody as a footballer is, but the chances of us finding anyone with anywhere near the same quality is highly unlikely. He's been world class for the best part of the 21st century, changing games against teams of all quality on a regular basis. Scoring in every major cup final. Rescuing us when all looked lost. It's not just ability but his motivation, determination and dedication that we'll be looking to replace. But our dependance on him isn't as much as it used to be, which can only be a good thing that we now have a better team as opposed to better individually than Stevie. And that is more important that we have a better team even with lesser individuals.
He's still not finished, still got something left in the tank but he will have to adapt his game to the way his body is. Given the ability of Steven Gerrard, I don't think that's gonna be a problem.
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