THEY were words that served to illustrate just how pivotal Steven Gerrard remains to Liverpool.
Director of football Damien Comolli was asked to explain this week why Alberto Aquilani was packed off to AC Milan.
“Kenny and the coaching staff felt he would play in a certain position,” Comolli said. “As I told Alberto, unfortunately in that position is someone called Steven Gerrard and it would have been difficult for Alberto to play.”
The Italian was sent on his way because that attacking midfield role had already been reserved for the return of the skipper.
Forget the fact Gerrard has missed the first month of the season and hasn’t kicked a ball in anger since March after undergoing career-threatening groin surgery.
Forget bit-part roles and little cameos. It’s clear that arguably the greatest player in the club’s history is still viewed as crucial to the Reds’ hopes of success.
Gerrard should make his comeback at Brighton at Wednesday and with the derby at Goodison and the visit of Manchester United coming up his return is timely. Liverpool may have learned to win in Gerrard’s absence but there is no question they will be a more potent unit with the 31-year-old leading the charge.
Of course there are doubters. Rumours that Gerrard is finished, the operation was a failure and he’ll never play 90 minutes again have done the rounds this summer.
Gerrard rubbished all that talk in the ECHO recently and declared himself “fitter, stronger and hungrier than ever”.
But he acknowledged that the only way he can truly prove it is by following up his strong words with performances.
Gerrard has returned to a squad much improved from the one he limped away from in March.
On his last appearance, Krygiakos, Cole, Poulsen and Ngog were on the bench. At Stoke last week, Johnson, Rodriguez, Carroll and Bellamy were among the subs.
The signing of Charlie Adam to play alongside Lucas Leiva leaves Gerrard free from defensive duties to push on and wreak havoc just behind Luis Suarez.
It’s a mouthwatering prospect and with new talent around him the stage is set for Gerrard to write more chapters in a glorious career.
