What's wrong with Steven Gerrard? And could he be about to leave Liverpool?

By David Anderson in Mirror Football Blog

Published 23:00 16/03/10

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As he trudged off the pitch on Monday, Steven Gerrard did not look like someone who had just helped Liverpool to their biggest win since September to rekindle their Champions League hopes.

He returned the applause from the Liverpool fans, accepted a perfunctory handshake from Rafa Benitez and then slid into his seat behind the dug-out.

Earlier, when he forced Portsmouth goalkeeper Jamie Ashdown into making the mistake for Liverpool's opening goal, there was little joy in his celebration.

His elbow into the back of Michael Brown's head, coming just a week after his foul-mouthed outburst and V-sign at Wigan, was unprofessional and borne out of frustration at the way this season has gone.

Luckily for Gerrard he has escaped a violent conduct charge and a three-match ban after the FA ruled they would take no further action.

Referee Stuart Attwell told FA disciplinary chiefs he dealt with Gerrard at the time by awarding a free-kick and speaking to him.

Judging by his body language, it is doubtful if even that welcome news will put a smile on Gerrard's face and a 4-1 win over Portsmouth has not made his worries go away.

He is angry at seeing what should have been the crowning campaign of his career turn to dust and the Premier League winner's medal he craves looks further away than ever.

Instead he finds himself in a timewarp, transported back to 2004, as Liverpool struggle to make the Champions League and doubts grow over his future.

Gerrard, who turns 30 in May, faces a dilemma. Does he hang on in the hope that new investors will transform Liverpool's fortunes or does he go in the summer to pursue glory before it is too late for him?

Real Madrid remain interested in him and the England star would have no shortage of offers if he decided to do what he could not bring himself to do in 2004 and 2005 and leave his beloved Anfield.

His indifferent form has mirrored Liverpool's awful season and he has managed just eight goals from 36 games.

Compare that to 24 last season and 21 the year before and it is clear all is not well.

Gerrard is not the only Liverpool player unhappy at how the season has gone and Alberto Aquilani admitted after scoring his first goal for the club that he has had a hard time.

The Italy midfielder, signed amid much fanfare for £20million from Roma as Xabi Alonso's replacement, has struggled to win Rafa Benitez's approval and his 90 minutes against Portsmouth were his first in the Premier League.

"I have had to wait a long time and it has been a difficult season for me, arriving with an injury, but I have felt ready to play for a long time," he said diplomatically.

"I think I played well, but I have to take it step by step. This was a good day and now we look to the next game. Can I do better? Everyone can do better."

His demeanour changed when he was asked if he understood why Benitez has left him out so often and he shrugged his shoulders.

"Yeah," he said. "We have spoken, but not too much."

Do you think Steven Gerrard will do the previously unthinkable and leave Liverpool this summer? Let us know by leaving a comment below...

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