Pundits have questioned whether Steven Gerrard will start against Man United on Sunday, despite being fit…
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has slammed suggestions that Steven Gerrard is no longer good enough to start against Manchester United.
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The Kop boss, who was asked about his captain during Friday’s press conference, was not drawn on whether he intends to hand our iconic skipper his first start since his return from injury.
However, he did back him to have a major influence on Sunday’s result, regardless of his role. Rodgers, who was quoted by the Daily Mirror, revealed: “It’s very simple with me and Steven.
“I think it’s been really unfair on the boy. He is back fit, and will have a big part between now and our very last game, a wonderful player and a great captain.
“This is a guy who has been and still is a wonderful player. When he was injured people were trying to write him off. He’s fit and available and can tell you now he is totally committed to the team.
“Of course he wants to play, but his support of players like Jordan and Joe has been fantastic and to me as a captain has been incredible.
“Lots of people are trying to predict the team but he wasn’t even fit, he was on the treatment table.”
Rodgers also comprehensively praised our No. 8, describing him as a ‘great role model’ in the dressing room, before backing him to play a key role in our pursuit of a top four place between now and the end of the season.
“I have seen players are great pros when playing and with a totally different attitude when not,” he added.
“Not Steven Gerrard, he’s a wonderful ambassador and a great role model for the players. Whether he starts or comes off the bench he has a big role to play. I see him give absolutely everything in training every day, and it never changes.
“People trying to suggest we are doing better when he’s not playing but that’s not the case. We were playing well with him in it too. He came off the bench the other night and put in great performance, stabilised team and gave a great calmness to it.”