Liverpool ace Steven Gerrard disappointed from an individual standpoint against Tottenham.
Liverpool dominated against Tottenham from the first whistle, meaning they could afford to have one or two passengers among the team.
Steven Gerrard has been immense in recent weeks, netting a stunning free-kick against Sunderland days earlier, but the 4-0 win over the North Londoners was far from a vintage individual effort.
In fact, taking into account three key areas, two of which are notoriously big assets to his game – Gerrard delivered statistically his worst performance of the season.
The England international contributed no shots on goal, no key passes, and won no tackles. Usually from a shooting and passing standpoint, Gerrard excels, but this was the first match this season the midfielder had failed to deliver even one of the three.
The table below shows one of Gerrard’s most productive games, against Norwich, compared to the game against Spurs, and five other matches in which he did not excel.
| Player | Match | Matchday | Team | Pos | Total Att Assist | Total Scoring Att | Won Tackle | Mins |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steven Gerrard | Liverpool vs Norwich | 14 | Liverpool | MF | 4 | 6 | 3 | 90 |
| Steven Gerrard | Liverpool vs Spurs | 32 | Liverpool | MF | 0 | 0 | 0 | 70 |
| Steven Gerrard | Stoke vs Liverpool | 21 | Liverpool | MF | 0 | 1 | 4 | 90 |
| Steven Gerrard | Hull vs Liverpool | 13 | Liverpool | MF | 0 | 1 | 2 | 90 |
| Steven Gerrard | Liverpool vs Aston Villa | 22 | Liverpool | MF | 0 | 1 | 2 | 90 |
| Steven Gerrard | Aston Villa vs Liverpool | 02 | Liverpool | MF | 0 | 0 | 3 | 90 |
| Steven Gerrard | Southampton vs Liverpool | 28 | Liverpool | MF | 0 | 3 | 3 | 90 |
Should fans be worried? Well no, everybody is entitled to an off day, and manager Brendan Rodgers seemingly acknowledged the 33-year-old was having one, substituting him on 70 minutes.
The midfielder has been playing a more withdrawn role this season, but has still managed to deliver 11 goals and nine assists in Liverpool’s surge to the top of the Premier League table.
He is usually highly consistent, and the likelihood is Gerrard will more than make up for it over the remaining fixtures. Nor was it all bad – for the midfield general’s passing accuracy of 89 per cent was his seventh highest of the campaign, in games in which he has completed 45 minutes or more.
| Player | Match | Matchday | Team | Pos | Passing Accuracy % | Mins |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steven Gerrard | Cardiff vs Liverpool | 31 | Liverpool | MF | 92.59 | 90 |
| Steven Gerrard | Liverpool vs Swansea | 27 | Liverpool | MF | 91.78 | 90 |
| Steven Gerrard | Newcastle vs Liverpool | 08 | Liverpool | MF | 91.75 | 90 |
| Steven Gerrard | Liverpool vs Stoke | 01 | Liverpool | MF | 90.80 | 90 |
| Steven Gerrard | Liverpool vs Fulham | 11 | Liverpool | MF | 90.67 | 67 |
| Steven Gerrard | Man Utd vs Liverpool | 30 | Liverpool | MF | 88.89 | 87 |
| Steven Gerrard | Liverpool vs Spurs | 32 | Liverpool | MF | 88.89 | 70 |
Gerrard may not have put on a vintage display against Tottenham, but the fact is they really did not need him to, winning comfortably against Spurs side which looked beaten from the first minute.
The captain would surely settle for more of the same as he strives to win the big medal missing from his personal haul over the course of his career.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
