KOP News # 5208 ---> Steven Gerrard retires: England captain's 14-year international career in pictures

Steven Gerrard retires: England captain's 14-year international career in pictures

• Jul 21, 2014 15:16
• By Alex Richards

The Liverpool icon has decided to retire from international football following England's World Cup failure at the age of 34

Exit: Steven Gerrard is leaving the international scene

England captain Steven Gerrard has retired from international football.

Following the Three Lions elimination from the World Cup, the Liverpool skipper has decided to step down and move aside after 14 years as a regular for his country.

Gerrard, who made his debut under Kevin Keegan in 2000 ahead of that summer's European Championships, won 114 caps for England with the final game coming against Costa Rica.

Gerrard played through six different England bosses - beginning with Kevin Keegan and then Peter Taylor (caretaker), Sven Goran-Eriksson, Steve McClaren, Fabio Capello and Roy Hodgson - during which time he has bagged 21 goals.

His first international goal came during the stunning 5-1 win over Germany in Munich in 2001. It was a result which played a major part in securing qualification for the 2002 World Cup, but Gerrard missed out on that tournament through injury.

Twice Gerrard was named England Player of the Year (2007 and 2012), while he was also named in UEFA's Team of the Torunament at the European Championships in 2012.

Here's a look at the pictures that characterise his England career:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

KOP News # 5260 ---> Liverpool Pre-Season Focus: Brendan Rodgers' Tactics, Martin Kelly and Joe Allen

Liverpool Pre-Season Focus: Brendan Rodgers' Tactics, Martin Kelly and Joe Allen

By Karl Matchett , World Football Staff Writer

Jul 23, 2014

Uncredited/Associated Press

Liverpool continued their pre-season preparations with a late 1-0 defeat to Serie A runners-up AS Roma at Fenway Park in Boston. 

The Reds' third game of the summer was 0-0 at the break, with few chances created throughout the 90 minutes, until Daniel Agger diverted a corner past his own keeper in the last minute of the match.

Continuing in our series of monitoring the tactics of manager Brendan Rodgers for the season ahead and the performances of a pair of players each match, this time around we're looking at full-back Martin Kelly and midfielder Joe Allen, both of whom played more than an hour of the game.

 

Tactics

Rodgers went with a 4-3-3 again from the outset against Roma, marking two pre-season games started with that system and one with the diamond.

As in the first two games, the Reds' plans were once again marred by an early injury, this time coming to Fabio Borini, who went off with a shoulder problem after a heavy fall.

The ensuing change saw Philippe Coutinho move from his central role to a wider position in the front line, with Jordon Ibe on the opposite side and Rickie Lambert central. Lucas Leiva once more anchored the midfield, with Allen and, after Coutinho moved forward, Emre Can ahead of him.

Uncredited/Associated Press

Seb Coates was a returning name to the team-sheet in the centre of defence, as was Jose Enrique on the left. Later in the game, Kris Peterson made another appearance at centre-forward and midfielders Suso and Jordan Henderson made late cameos. Jack Robinson was largely impressive at left-back in the second 45 minutes.

The Reds dominated possession in the first half without creating too many chances; Coutinho's change of pace and willingness to take on his man was a key factor in their approach play once again. But Lambert was far too isolated centrally for any real chances to be created.

Michael Regan/Getty Images

After the break it was more a case of hit on the break when the opportunity presented itself, with Can's superb driving runs forward an important and pleasing aspect of the Premier League side's play.

As with the first 45, though, there were very few chances created at either end, and it took a scruffy own goal to settle it.

 

Martin Kelly

Kelly continued working his way toward full-match witness with a 67-minute appearance against Roma.

Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

Playing at right-back once more, he faced a familiar test in the shape of Ashley Cole from Roma's left side, with Adem Ljajic also a pacy opponent.

All told, Kelly dealt well with the threat for most of the first hour, closing down well and showing a good turn of pace more than once to cover balls played in behind. He looked strong on the ball, held off challengers well and passed out of the back line composedly.

Only twice did Kelly really put his foot on the gas to surge forward down the right flank, with one low cross in particular an impressive dribble and delivery, from which Lambert was unable to produce a telling finish.

Before going off, Kelly was visibly weary and left the pitch to be replaced by Conor Coady. Presumably, the tiredness comes from the pre-season fitness work, and it's something he needs to get spot on very soon.

This campaign is a vital one for Kelly's future at Liverpool, and he cannot afford for lack of fitness to be a reason for non-selection at any point, especially at the start of the season.

 

Joe Allen

With the number of arrivals capable of playing in midfield positions set to increase competition for 2014-15, Allen is one of the stars of the second half of last season who needs to continue to up his game to keep a place in the side.

Against Roma he was initially left of centre, then right of centre after Borini's substitution.

Michael Regan/Getty Images

He was seen several times pressing extremely high up the field, almost to a right-wing position, a positive sign of both fitness and team intent; the pressing and subsequent quick transitions were a key feature of Liverpool's best play last season.

When Allen is on his game, he's a big part of that particular tactic, possessing both the technique and mentality required to do both sides of the press, pass approach.

A number of times there were quick exchanges of passes in the final third as Liverpool looked to get some positive build-up play going. Invariably, Allen was involved in this along with Coutinho and Can.

There was little end product to the Reds' play, and Allen was a part of that side of things too. But in terms of his running and positioning on the pitch, it wasn't bad at all for a third pre-season game from the Welshman.

 

KOP News # 5258 ---> Liverpool FC 0 AS Roma 1: what we learned from the Reds' last-gasp Fenway defeat

Liverpool FC 0 AS Roma 1: what we learned from the Reds' last-gasp Fenway defeat

• Jul 24, 2014 08:00
• By Kristian Walsh

The four main talking points from Liverpool's late defeat to the Serie A side

Emre Can in action.

Forgotten man could give a reminder on tour

When Kenny Dalglish took charge of his first game back as Liverpool manager, Martin Kelly was a surprise starter at Old Trafford.

His performance caught the eye more than anybody else's on the pitch; strong, useful on the ball and with the added narrative of a local lad done good, he was a prominent figure in the team who did so well under Dalglish towards the end of 2010/11. He would even be a part of England's Euro 2012 squad.

A lot has changed at the club since then - including Kelly's role at Anfield. Sidelined with injury throughout the majority of Rodgers' time at the club, he has made just nine league appearances under the Northern Irishman.

But speaking to the ECHO's James Pearce on Monday, the 24 year old told of his desire to bounce back from his injury woes.

This was a decent start. The forgotten man of the Reds' squad gave a little reminder of what he is capable of.

He was solid in defence and joined the attack at times. It was not the complete performance - and never forget this was a friendly - but in a side with questions in defence, the answer could have been on the treatment table the whole time, especially with so many games to be played this season.           

GALLERY: Liverpool 0 Roma 1 at Fenway Park

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Emre Can will grab attention

Emre Can is an imposing sort. When he strode on to the Fenway Park pitch, there was a buzz from the Liverpool supporters.

Perhaps it is because, of the four players signed by Rodgers this summer so far, only Can and Rickie Lambert have made their debuts for the Reds - and the hunger for anything fresh sees Can, formerly of Leverkusen, offer something new rather than Southampton's Lambert.

Nobody knew much about the Under-21 international before the summer but already his qualities would be apparent, if not necessarily how much he will show them. He is strong, powerful and has a fleet-footedness about him which belies his six foot two frame.

He would also appear to have aggression. His running battle with Radja Nainggolan - who is no slouch himself - was fascinating. The Belgian left his mark on Can but he didn't hide; his run in the second half also gave a glimpse into his attacking ability.

Can commands attention. He's certainly got it at Liverpool already.

 

Fabio Borini's inclusion could have been costly

The wince on Fabio Borini's face was no doubt matched by those who feel Sunderland's £14m offer for the Italian striker is more than sufficient. He fell under the challenge of Seydou Keita, held his shoulder, and eventually disappeared down the tunnel.

And with it, a potential transfer away from Anfield could have disappeared with him.

His future on Merseyside remains uncertain. Rodgers maintains that he remains a Livepool player and part of the squad until he makes a decision about a move to Wearside.

But all of that could have been thrown in jeopardy with Borini's injury.

Rodgers revealed after the match that the shoulder had just been bruised and, while a few days of training would be missed, it was not as bad as first feared.

The question on where Borini begins next season remains. But this injury scare was a reminder of how fate can sometimes answer those questions for you – and that is something to contemplate during the next two weeks.

 

Ibe looks better on the left

Jordon Ibe is one of the players the supporters in the United States have been looking forward to watching the most. He is exciting, progressive and has bags of both ability and potential.

He had begun well on the left hand side of the front three. He stretched his legs a few times and had the Roma defence panicking, and was the first Reds player to really drive at the defence – a nod to the confidence he has.

Borini's injury changed his role. On came Can, who moved into a central position; this moved the majestic Philippe Coutinho out wide, and he occupied the left hand side, cutting inside. This left the 18 year old stationed on the right.

At this young age, his strength is most certainly coming on to his stronger foot. When on the right, all his threat evaporated. The power generated from his upper body and deft touch was wasted when on the right hand side.

The comparisons with Raheem Sterling can sometimes be too simplistic. Chalk this one as another example of that. The two are different players and will flourish in different positions.