It's funny, for years we've talked about how or who we were going to buy or bring through to replace Gerrard as he loses his legs - and be it knowingly or not, Rodgers has made this transition easier by falling Gerrard back into the holding mid position.
I was looking at the above formations and wanting to see Can in more of the starting line ups - but where to fit him in??? Although it's been obvious the whole time, it's only just clicked..
We've changed the way we set up already and Gerrard has already been replaced (hopefully) in the attack minded midfield, that Can will slowly be introduced as Stevies replacement. The Gerrard replacement further up field isn't a like for like, infact it seems to be occupied cleverly by a number of players able to rotate in and out given the opposition / fresh options to break a team down.
Gerrard has been a victim of his own talent where by he can play anywhere, which in turn has led to us scratching our heads and somewhat fretting over the years as to how to replace him as he is phased out. By shoe horning him into the DM position and already having the attacking mid options, it seems we've already replaced him - and Lucas to the same extent (I doubt we'll see both play at the same time this season / if ever again)
If Can lives up to his potential and develops, given he's quite young, then we will have seamlessly gone through our transition and from what I can see, come out the other end stronger and more complete. Can has younger legs and time on his side, not to mention he is a specialist in the DM position: holding, tackling and breaking up play. As long as his distribution is good we'll be a very, very solid team to come up against. The future looks very bright indeed.
Clearly, I've had a few bevvies and should pack it in for the evening - what was this thread about again anyway
