After a lengthy absence, Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard returns to the starting XI tonight against Wolverhampton Wanderers. Many of his top lieutenants, including Fernando Torres, are also healthy. Liverpool have fielded a strong side, but there is one thing that sticks out when you look at it. Someone is going to be playing out of position.
Introducing: GerrardTracker™, A Wonderful New Tool To Track Liverpool’s Steven Gerrard
Liverpool lineup (formation prediction redacted): Reina ; Konchesky, Skrtel, Krygiakos, Johnson ; Gerrard, Meireles, Lucas, Kuyt ; Torres, N’Gog
What I just listed is a 4-4-2 with Gerrard and Kuyt as wide players, but I’m only about 75% sure that’s what we’re going to see. A lot of Liverpool fans can’t possibly imagine Hodgson taking Gerrard out of the center of the pitch, but it seems even more improbable that Raul Meireles will play out wide. I guess that we could see a 4-3-3 of sorts with N’Gog cutting inside from a left forward spot, but this also seems highly unlikely.
Regardless of what formation Roy Hodgson deploys and whether or not Gerrard is on the team sheet as a left midfielder, we should all be well aware at this point that Steven Gerrard has a bit of a tendency to play wherever he damn well pleases.
Because it’s Gerrard’s first game back after an injury lay-off, Hodgson’s team selection is slightly ambiguous, and Stevie G has a tendency to roam, we’re introducing GerrardTrackerTM for tonight’s game. During the match between Liverpool and Wolves, we’ll be paying special attention to the movements, positioning, and performance of Steven Gerrard. Hopefully this can be as amusing as it is insightful. Of course, we’ll have our regular major event updates, but GerrardTracker should spice things up a bit. We plan on updates at the 15, 30, 45, 60, 75, and 90 minute marks. See you at 3 pm!
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