Players Under The Microscope / David Croft / 02 October 2007 /

The BBC's David Croft tells us why the Liverpool skipper reminds him of the genius singer/songwriter and why Frank Lampard needs to look for a new band

Between the Japanese and Chinese Grand Prix I've been lucky enough to spend a couple of nights in Tokyo. If you've never been you must, and if you're looking for some inspiration for a night out, you have to pay a visit to the Cavern Club in Roppongi. Close your eyes and you're listening to the Beatles, open your eyes and stood in front of you are 4 Japanese guys belting out Twist and Shout - brilliant.

Shortly after Eric (the Japanese John Lennon) finished his rendition of Imagine I got into a conversation with John, a journalist friend of mine and Liverpool fan, about Steven Gerrard, entirely fitting given the surroundings really. And we came up with the theory that Gerrard was the John Lennon of the current Liverpool team, a man you could build a team around, who provides the melody, the harmony and that little something extra that sets the side apart from the rest. Just like John Lennon, Gerrard as part of a band/team also needs someone alongside him, someone that he can feed from and who compliments his own style.

You can see where the conversation was leading here I think and it didn't take too many beers to come to the conclusion that if Gerrard was Lennon then Javier Mascherano is the equivalent of Paul McCartney, or when it comes to England duty, Owen Hargraves is. In other words, exclaimed Jon, "Fat Frank should go and join another band, he's cramping Steve's style and England will never be on song as long they're playing together in the same midfield." With that the band came back on stage and the night was lost in more delights from the Japanese Fab Four.

Now you may or may not agree with the above theory, but as theories go I'm prepared to accept it as possible reason why Gerrard is often far more affective for club than country. At Liverpool, because Mascherano shores up the midfield, Gerrard is given slightly more freedom to roam and it works. With England, Lampard plays that role as well and Gerrard's effectiveness is compromised. The question that needs to be answered then is whether Lampard and Gerrard can play in the same midfield and if not, who should be dropped? I have to say if I were Steve McClaren, then Frank would make way, no questions. Look what happened against Israel and Russia; Lampard doesn't play, 6 goals scored, none conceded, England looked like a proper team with shape and substance and Gerrard looks a different man suddenly.

We'll see what Steve McClaren thinks is the best way forward later this month. This week the Liverpool captain leads his side in Champions League action against Marseille. History suggests that this match will result in a home win - Liverpool have never lost to French opposition at Anfield in 9 previous fixtures, whilst the last time Marseille were in the group stages of the competition, they picked up just one point from their three away games. You can lay the French side at 13.5 with Betfair although if you fancy a repeat of the meeting in the UEFA Cup between these two teams four seasons ago, you can back the draw at 5. Personally I fancy Liverpool to take this comfortably so I'm looking at a price of 6.4 for a 2-0 home win or even 10 for a 3-0 victory, a win that would be enough to make anybody sing, whether you're my mate John or Stevie G himself.

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