Liverpool legend, Steven Gerard says his teams will be physical and competitive. He also said he won’t allow them showboating like Cristiano Ronaldo. He was speaking when he was confirmed as Liverpool’s new under-18s coach. We also hope Gerard will teach his players not to slip at critical moments.
“My teams will be physical. I see that we need that more. It is important you channel it in the right way,” the former midfielder told multiple English newspapers.
“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 showboating 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 Ronaldo when you have to look at yourself and say, ‘What are my strengths and how can I improve my weaknesses?'”
Gerrard made 710 appearances for Liverpool and is considered one of the greatest players in the club’s history. He returned to Liverpool in a floating coaching role in February across various age groups and will take up the U18 job in the summer after completing his UEFA A Licence.
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via GET Sportonline
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