Roving role for Gerrard can be the key to Athens glory

May 23 2007 by Nick Smith, Liverpool Daily Post

I‘M not exactly sticking my neck out by saying that Steven Gerrard will be the key to Liverpool claiming a sixth European Cup triumph in Athens tonight.

But it’s where the skipper is played by his manager Rafael Benitez that will determine the destiny of club football’s greatest prize.

And for the Spaniard to be celebrating a second conquering of the continent in the space of three seasons I think he has to give Gerrard the freedom to go and win the game for him.

He needs to be given the same licence to kill as influential Brazilian Kaka is granted by Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti, the tactic that has ensured they too are in another final just two years after their last one.

And like his Italian counterpart, I can see Benitez going with just the one striker to enable Gerrard to emulate the role of the brilliant Brazilian.

I really can’t see Liverpool going out with two strikers because I think Gerrard playing just off Dirk Kuyt and in support of him will not only maximise Liverpool’s attacking potential but their ability to stifle the Milan midfield.

And this simply has to be done because when you’re facing Ambrosini, Pirlo, Gattuso and Seedorf with Kaka just in front, getting the numbers in there to stop them is vital.

Having Gerrard spearheading the midfield with Javier Mascherano and Xabi Alonso in behind him makes that area stronger.

This needs to be the case because whoever dominates this area wins.

But if Benitez does go with Kuyt up front he might need a little bit more attacking impetus in the wider areas just to ensure they don’t get too bogged down in the midfield battle.

With Bolo Zenden now struggling I reckon Harry Kewell has to be in with a good shout and he’s certainly the best option on the left in terms of ability when everyone is fit.

Jermaine Pennant could also be set for a look-in because if Gerrard isn’t on the right there aren’t really many options unless Alvaro Arbeloa or Steve Finnan can slot in there to counter the threat of Milan’s flying wing-backs.

However, I would favour the more offensive players out wide, especially because if Kuyt is the lone striker he’s going to need some support up there to compensate for the amount of work he puts in areas outside the box.

As for the Dutchman’s rivals for a starting place, well Craig Bellamy can’t be trusted in that role and Peter Crouch is better later on, especially if Benitez needs to go a bit more Route One.

All this second-guessing of the manager is, of course, often a fruitless task but if one thing is for certain though – whichever 11 he starts with will be well drilled and focused on their jobs because you have to take this Milan side very seriously.

They’re better than two years ago and have taken a leaf out of the Liverpool book in many ways because they are not blessed with as many great individuals but function better as a team now.

It’s why, like their opponents, they will prefer not to see a repeat of Istanbul 2005 and focus on the middle of the park as the game’s main action area.

This suits them down to the ground, not just because of the players they have in there, but also as they don’t have forwards any more.

Inzaghi and Gilardinho are just token gestures at that level – it’s all about Kaka and the strength they have in midfield.

And it’s the same for Liverpool – restrict Gerrard and you restrict his chances of lifting the trophy again.