Long switches of play to the left are thus easier to complete and more likely to be effective. The team's rotations on the right often draw an additional opponent over to that side. Conor Goldson, Rangers’ right-sided centre-back, often plays direct passes forwards. However, Gerrard is also happy for his team to go long. They either play into central midfield or to the full-backs, who will have advanced around the outside of the opposition. If the team builds play in the defensive third, either starting with the goalkeeper or after a reset pass is played from midfield into defence, their two central defenders play a key role. If play is progressing down the left, for example, Tavernier regularly attacks the penalty area at the far post (below). It isn’t uncommon to see the full-backs burst through central positions. Instead of making forward runs, they prioritise covering behind their full-backs, who have the freedom to advance. When Rangers play with a double pivot, their central midfielders show more caution. There are also times when the full-back tucks inside, the wide forward moves into a central position to add to the threat close to goal, and a central midfielder moves out to provide the team’s width (below). Rangers are particularly effective in making those movements on their right side (above), where James Tavernier attacks from full-back and provides a significant creative threat in the final third. They can then come off the flank and on to their stronger foot to provide a threat on goal.īy selecting players who are inclined to move infield early, Gerrard has reduced the risk of his midfielders’ route forward being blocked. It is also common for Gerrard to use Ryan Kent and Ianis Hagi on their unnatural sides. That inside forward moving into narrow positions creates more space wide for a full-back to advance into, while an attacking midfielder can run into the gap between full-back and wide forward. They are encouraged to attack through the inside channels so that the full-backs can overlap around the outside.Īs his approach has evolved, he has increasingly used an additional striker – most often Kemar Roofe – as an inside forward so that his team have an extra forward close to goal. He picks technically gifted players as his wide forwards, as he wants them to be able to carry play towards goal quickly. Throughout his time in management, Gerrard has shown a preference for a 4-3-3, though he has also used a 4-2-3-1. He has consistently promoted an attacking, possession-based style of football. It was at the beginning for us, when he didn’t need to do it.' 'It was my first conversation with Steven, and it was all about tactics. 'I started explaining the tactics I’d use at Liverpool,' the Spaniard once said of his former captain. Benítez noticed early in his reign that Gerrard had a particular interest in the tactical side of the game. In Rafa Benítez, Roy Hodgson, Kenny Dalglish and Brendan Rodgers, there were plenty of high-quality managers for Gerrard to learn from during his playing days at Liverpool. He was named Aston Villa head coach in November 2021. The reputation he built at Rangers no doubt contributed to his return to the Premier League as a manager. They did so not only toppling Celtic, but also going the entire league season unbeaten. He had an extremely positive three years at Ibrox, leading Rangers to their first Scottish Premiership title in a decade in 2020/21. Steven Gerrard accepted a high-pressured position for his first as a manager when in 2018 he agreed terms with Rangers to succeed Pedro Caixinha.

Steven gerrard football story