As Liverpool prepare to face Portsmouth at Fratton Park this evening they may feel somewhat like a depleted force, all because of one man - Steven Gerrard.
The Reds have been described as a 'one-man team' for many years and such is the captain's contribution to the team that it is impossible to imagine what hole the side would be stuck in if they didn't have the Huyton-born midfielder dragging them out of almost every mess in which they find themselves at times.
In fact since 2003 the skipper has been the shining light of the side and Rafael Benitez wasn't lying when he said that he would build a team around Gerrard. Since his arrival in November 1998, Gerrard has grown into the driving force that pushed Liverpool over the line against the likes of Olympiakos, AC Milan, West Ham United and Olympique Marseille to name but four teams the Reds have defeated thanks to their inspiraitonal skipper.
Gerrard was substituted after just 15 minutes in Liverpool's FA Cup defeat to Everton on Wednesday night and a scan in the aftermath revealed that he will miss the games against Portsmouth and Manchester City with his absence for the visit to Real Madrid in the Champions League a distinct possibility also.
Liverpool have looked a shadow of their usual selves when Gerrard has been sidelined and it would be foolish to think that they will not be affected by his absence tonight at Fratton Park. One has to wonder how they will cope when the 28-year-old hangs up his boots such is his impact on the team.
In fact since 2003 the skipper has been the shining light of the side and Rafael Benitez wasn't lying when he said that he would build a team around Gerrard. Since his arrival in November 1998, Gerrard has grown into the driving force that pushed Liverpool over the line against the likes of Olympiakos, AC Milan, West Ham United and Olympique Marseille to name but four teams the Reds have defeated thanks to their inspiraitonal skipper.
Gerrard was substituted after just 15 minutes in Liverpool's FA Cup defeat to Everton on Wednesday night and a scan in the aftermath revealed that he will miss the games against Portsmouth and Manchester City with his absence for the visit to Real Madrid in the Champions League a distinct possibility also.
Liverpool have looked a shadow of their usual selves when Gerrard has been sidelined and it would be foolish to think that they will not be affected by his absence tonight at Fratton Park. One has to wonder how they will cope when the 28-year-old hangs up his boots such is his impact on the team.
