Whether we like it or not, everything happens for a reason. One man’s pain is another man’s gain. These clichés are thrown around often, and are proven time and time again. Steven Gerrard picked up a lengthy injury on England duty, and that opened up a midfield spot. Poulsen has seemingly fallen out of favor with the fans, and that left Jay Spearing to finally be thrown a chance to make himself a Kop favorite. That is, until he also became sidelined with a fracture in his fibula. This leaves a window of opportunity for the young prodigy Jonjo Shelvey.
John Henry has proclaimed an interest in developing our youth, and I for one am backing that interest. Liverpool used to be powerhouse producers of footballers; Fowler, Carragher, Owen, Gerrard. All these men were brought through the Liverpool ranks and made into legends. Shelvey is not a product of the Liverpool Academy(he was brought through Charlton Athletic) but at 18 years old he is a prized young talent that was sought after by many big names. When Liverpool signed him, it was big news. Looking for young English talent is a philosophy many Premier League clubs are using. Liverpool landed, “the next Gerrard.”
With the midfield role left vacant by Gerrard, there are only two midfielders to fill that spot. Poulsen and Shelvey. If Hodgson listens to the fans, Shelvey will be in that spot. He likes to get forward, pick out long passes. He does play similar to Gerrard’s style, and attacking football is what all Liverpool fans are looking for. Is he ready for the Premier League? Was Federico Macheda ready when he came off the bench and scored what would prove to be United’s most vital goal of the season? If these young lads are ever going to be ready, they have to be thrown into the mix. Shelvey isn’t Gerrard, and it will be hard for anyone to ever replace Gerrard. But Shelvey is Shelvey, and that is our future of midfield.
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