Can Shelvey replace Gerrard? (Video)
Steven Gerrrard isn’t going to be around forever. Despite still being an incredible player, at 32 years of age, the Liverpool skipper is well past his prime. And, with the Reds having needed him to pull them out of the mud so many times over the years, who is going to be there to save them when he’s gone?
Understanding this need to strengthen their midfield, Liverpool have shelled out over £30 million pound on the signings of Jordan Henderson and Joe Allen. Both only 22 years old, these players have already impressed in the Premier League and have the potential to be real stars of the future.
As well as being two years their junior, Jonjo Shelvey was signed for a much smaller fee than his young teammates. Recently called up to the senior England team, he is now really starting to push for a permanent place in the Liverpool side for the first time since he joined as an 18-year-old. He is also taking his chances during the Reds’ Europa League campaign, having already scored three goals in the competition.
It is 14 long years now since a youthful Steven Gerrard burst onto the scene. Within his first two seasons at Anfield he had earned a place in England’s Euro 2000 squad. Given the armband permanently for his country 12 years later prior to the recent Euros, he has been the Reds’ talismanic captain since 2003, enjoying his biggest success when he lifted Liverpool’s fifth European Cup on that night in Istanbul.
Comparisons between Jonjo Shelvey and Steven Gerrard may be optimistic. Only time will tell if the young midfielder can live up to the expectations created by their current hero.
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