Three weeks ago football fans from around the world witnessed the end of one most storied careers in football. Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard ended his 17-year stint at Liverpool in a 6-1 defeat at the hands of Stoke City, piling the pressure on manager Brendan Rodgers.
Now, for the first time since 2003 Liverpool will head into a campaign with a new captain, but with the future of the coach still up in the air it is hard to predict who Gerrard’s successor will be. Whoever it is will have massive boots to fill and lofty standards to meet that the famous No.8 saw throughout the course of his career.
For over a decade, Gerrard was the personification of a captain. He was a loyal player who joined the club’s academy at age nine and despite (considering) offers from rivals sides he remained at Anfield for almost two decades. He was a leader, every time Liverpool were in need of a goal, he scored it. In the 2005 UEFA Champions League final he inspired the unforgettable three goal comeback, scoring a rare header. Then a year later in the 2006 FA Cup final he scored a brace, including this last minute equaliser to send the match to extra time. The Merseyside club were victorious on penalties.
Liverpool are now at a crossroads in their history. Gerrard brought so much joy to the club, but he is no longer employed by the five time European champions and with the possibility of a new manager leading them into the future, there has never been a more opportune time to introduce a new captain, a new leader, a new Gerrard.
Will it be Jordan Henderson? A player who has grown in leaps and bounds over the past couple of seasons and made that central-midfielder role, alongside Gerrard, his own. He shares many similarities with the LA Galaxy bound icon and could be the man to replace the irreplaceable.
What about Martin Skrtel? The Liverpool defender is a fighter and wears his heart on his sleeve. The Slovakian would make a great leader with his aggressiveness and authority. However, will he be at the club next season?
Then there is the outsider James Milner. The man who just signed for the club, hardly captain material, but is a quality player and has the backing of club great Jamie Carragher.
Jordan Henderson
The 24-year-old signed for the club from Sunderland in 2011 and has come a long way from the boy who made Sir Alex Ferguson worried about the way he ran. Since then he has made approximately 175 appearances for the club, scoring 21 goals. As mentioned earlier, the midfielder has all the traits to lead Liverpool long into the future. He loves the club, the club loves him and he has had a mostly successful stint at the club. Being the vice-captain he is the obvious choice to next sit on the throne.
Martin Skrtel
One of Liverpool’s great centre-backs. The robust Slovakian has been at Anfield since 2008 and if anything deserves the captaincy it is the No.37. He has an undeniable passion for the club, makes crucial tackles, headers and even the odd goal. With over 220 English Premier League (EPL) appearances, he knows what it means to play for and represent the club. At 30-years-old he still has a few good years left in the tank just yet. Obviously his future is also unclear since he only has 12 months left on his remaining contract, and was unhappy with the contract renewal offered to him.
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James Milner
James Milner has accomplished a lot since 2011. Two EPL titles, One FA Cup, League Cup, Community Shield and four UEFA Champions League campaigns. In comparison, the club he joined this past week have made just six appearances in the Champions League and have won the League Cup. While he can not bring those trophies to Liverpool he can certainly bring the experience he gained with him. At 29 years, the former Man City man is experienced enough to be considered a senior member of the side, but is still young enough to relate and work with the younger players. He has not played a single second for the club, but it will not be surprising if he steps onto his first game as captain.
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