Stevie glee!

Saturday, 31/12/2011

My dad always told me that one man doesn't make a team. He's always been right.

But Steven Gerrard sadly proves my old man wrong. Without Stevie G Liverpool aren't half the team they can be.

It's no coincidence that despite lots of cash splashed on quality players the Reds couldn't get it together at the start of the season.

Without Gerrard they simply haven't got that added quality catalyst to spark their form.

They struggled to a 1-1 draw against Blackburn on Boxing Day, the highlight being the return of Gerrard for the last 21 minutes.

Liverpool were again unconvincing last night against Newcastle with the game at 1-1 and poised to go either way.

But cue the entrance of Gerrard on 59 minutes and everything changed.

He set up a few chances that were wasted by Andy Carroll, prompted his side into turning on the pressure and then added Liverpool's third goal in the 3-1 victory thanks to a shot from a very tight angle.

Gerrard is the Scouser who knows what it is like to play for his home town club. He's spurned chances to leave Anfield and even on a poor day he makes a massive difference to Kenny Dalglish's side.

The smile on the manager's face when Gerrard scored said it all. The ear to ear grin wasn't about the goal – it was about the return of their prodigal son from injury.

They could be without Suarez for some time but the return of Stevie G means Glee for Liverpool.

*How important is Gerrard to Liverpool. Have your say...

• 

• Have your say