Steven Gerrard, former England National Captain, one of the greatest midfielders in Premier League history, is about to take the reins of the U18s at his former club, Liverpool. Endorsed by Manager Jurgen Klopp, Gerrard will now officially be leading the academy kids next season, and he has a clear vision of what he wants and expects.
The 36-year-old wants his teams to be hard-nosed, tough and physical. He does not want them to be “showboating,” and modeling themselves after Cristiano Ronaldo.
“My teams will be physical. I see that we need that more. It is important you channel it in the right way,” said the Liverpool legend.
“As a player I got many, many tackles wrong and went over the top a few times and I had to come out and apologise and that is not something I want to put into young players at all but you have to prepare them for the top and the top level is physical and demanding.”
“It is not just about tackles and competing. I hate watching footballers and football when there is no physical side and they don’t compete. There is a show-boating mentality throughout academies now and a lot of kids who play the game think they have to do 10 lollipops or Cruyff turns to stand out.”
“We all love a bit of skill and talent but the other side of the game is huge, it is massive. Too many try to model themselves on players like [Cristiano] Ronaldo when you have to look at yourself and say, ‘What are my strengths and how can I improve my weaknesses?’”
Steven Gerrard replaces Neil Critchley, who will now manage the U23s.
Gerrard is trying to guard against a mentality in players today that he sees as “soft.”
“The kids in our academy are coming into an unbelievable place to work and there is a case where they get a little bit too much, too soon,” he continued.
“It is a big shock for them when they move on or get released. That’s what you have to drive into the players: while you are here make the sacrifices and give it your best, don’t get too comfortable because the hard work starts when you get out of the academy.
“I’ve seen a lot of players who have come out of the academy with huge reputations and go into the Melwood dressing room and then it is sink-or-swim and a lot of them sink.”
“I have to help these players prepare for careers, not all with Liverpool’s first team, but I feel if I can help them compete then it will help their careers depending on what level they get to.”
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, partnered with FOX Sports Engage Network. and News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, currently contributes to WGN CLTV and KOZN.
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