06 Jan 2016 06:27:45
bit Hi ed1, I was wondering if you had and insight as to what Jamie Carragher was like as a person when playing for Liverpool and what his general attitude was like. Reason I ask is that I remember reading a few comments months ago about how Gerrard refused to play out on the right and that his presence was more of a hindrance than helpful at times, that sort of thing, and I started to wonder if Carragher was anything like that.

Maybe a bit strange to ask so long on but Carragher was always my favourite player, always the first player I looked for on the team sheet and I always felt he was massively overlooked by England. Would be kind of disappointed if he was a bit of a nob.

Cheers bud.

{Ed001's Note - I love Carra, but he was a very strong personality that was part of a clique with Gerrard that did cause a few issues over the time they were at the club. Between them they were responsible for a lot of the disharmony that existed behind the scenes, as you were either one of them or suffered, as Fernando Torres found out, which led to his unhappiness.

The thing with Carragher was that he expected the same from everyone else as he gave himself. When a player didn't want to be 'one of the lads' so to speak, they would get a lot of stick for it. That was ok at times, but sometimes it led to problems with players being left on the outside and not feeling like they were part of the team.}

1.) 06 Jan 2016
06 Jan 2016 06:45:57
Hold up there, Torres left partly because he felt alienated by Gerrard and Carra? I always had an impression that Torres got along with them just fine- especially Gerrard.

{Ed001's Note - they had a few disagreements at the time. Torres was not keen on going out with 'the lads' on nights out, preferring to stay at home with his family. It was silly on the part of what became known as 'the Scouse Mafia' as they were just being childish expecting everyone to be like them. There were times when those disagreements got out of hand and it led to a period of Torres sulking, initially, which the club never sorted out. The club allowed Gerrard far too much leeway and he thought he was a big man and everyone should do as he said. He was treated like some kind of king, with even transfers being run past him for approval at times. It was ridiculous.}

2.) 06 Jan 2016
06 Jan 2016 07:05:16
Thanks ed, that's really interesting. A feel like a kiddy at story time doing this but I have a couple more questions!

Do you think Torres would have ever left if he didn't feel alienated? Or was the allure of trophies always going to be too strong? He might regret his decision to leave, despite the trophies. He never seemed to fit in with all the Chelsea lads.

I know Rodgers went to Gerrard for transfer approval, but did any other managers do it? Which manager was the biggest enabler of the 'scouse mafia'?

{Ed001's Note - Torres would have had his head turned I think anyway, but I don't think he would have been anything like so forceful about wanting out. I am not sure if Chelsea would have even pushed their offer in at the time if they were not aware of his unhappiness. It was probably for the best he left though, he was not the same player after his injuries and that has ruined him.

Rafa was the big enabler, hence why Gerrard loves him so much, he let him get away with a refusal to play on the right, he pretty much allowed him free rein. Worked well when he and Torres got on initially. Everyone after that was stuck with having to pander to Gerrard to get everyone else onside, as it was Gerrard's team by the time Rafa went. It was a shame because Gerrard could have been unquestionably the greatest player the club ever had, if he had just stayed on the right like Rafa wanted. I do think he would have ended up in the middle eventually, but he had so much to offer on the right, he might have even picked up that league winner's medal he so wanted.}

3.) 06 Jan 2016
06 Jan 2016 08:00:37
Yeah, age would have nudged Gerrard into the middle of the park, but his own ego nudged him there instead. I wish he stayed on the right and put his dynamism to good use. He was pretty fast, he could beat a man, and he certainly knows how to whip a ball in. Plus, the flank doesn't really require as much tactical discipline as midfield does, and tactical discipline is probably his biggest weakness. But he would have been better than David Beckham in that position, I have no doubt about that.

If you told me before Gerrard's new book that he loves Rafa, then I wouldn't have been surprised. But now I am surprised, because he did take a few little swipes at him in the autobiography.

{Ed001's Note - I am surprised at that, he certainly never had anything bad to say to Rafa's face. Just shows how snide he is.}

4.) 06 Jan 2016
06 Jan 2016 08:15:49
He arrived here in Sydney today with the other fellas. My mate went to the airport to greet them, and he implied that Gerrard seemed quite up himself, he said he didn't stop to sign merchandise like others did, which is disappointing. I know he had a long haul flight, but I think he has a duty to do those things, especially when the others are.

He also once met the whole Spanish team in hotel in Armenia. He said Reina and Sergio Ramos were legends to him (not surprised), Torres was quiet (not surprised), while Alonso was actually quite pretentious (surprising) .

I once met Rushie in Melbourne, sat down in the hotel bar lounge with him. Was surreal, nice guy. Ayre was pretty nice too.

{Ed001's Note - Gerrard is used to having his entourage pull him away from autograph hunters, so he can pretend it is not his fault he doesn't sign hundreds.}

5.) 06 Jan 2016
06 Jan 2016 08:48:27
Hey Ed1, this is kind of related, but which player has had the most positive impact on the dressing room? It would be interesting to know who the guy is that keeps everyone working and the confidence up. Cheers.

{Ed001's Note - why do you think I love Lucas? He is the one that all the players turn to, the one who helped Suarez, the one who convinced Coutinho to sign etc.}

6.) 06 Jan 2016
06 Jan 2016 08:50:43
Nick, I saw a bit on the news surrounding their arrival at the airport. Many of the legends were happy to sign stuff and have photos, with the fans at the airport, though it seemed Gerrard strolled right on past them, barely even acknowledging their existence.

7.) 06 Jan 2016
06 Jan 2016 08:51:29
Have to agree with the both u Nick and Ed, I also believe he would have been rated better than Beckham, I like many already think he was, but if he had played on the right for the majority of his career I think there would be any doubt in any ones mind he was better than Beckham, offered a lot more, a better all round game especially defensively compared to becks.

8.) 06 Jan 2016
06 Jan 2016 09:00:53
Hi eds, I hoped it would be Lucas, it just seems like the nicest and most professional there. Thanks for the reply :)

{Ed001's Note - welcome mate.}

9.) 06 Jan 2016
06 Jan 2016 09:45:55
Ed 001's. you have Gerrard weighed up to a tee.

{Ed001's Note - do you know him well then?}

10.) 06 Jan 2016
06 Jan 2016 11:38:59
Whenever I have met Gerrard he has been a right misery, as has sakho to be fair. But love both as players.
Pepe reina was always my favourite player to meet, met him load of times and he has a great personality.

11.) 06 Jan 2016
06 Jan 2016 11:50:07
I'd Gerrard stayed on the right Keane would have linked well with Torres I think

Especially as Liverpool had and still have been crying for a winger who can cross a decent ball and score.

{Ed001's Note - Keane would have failed regardless, for the same reasons he did.}

12.) 06 Jan 2016
06 Jan 2016 12:30:44
Can you please explain what you mean about Keane ed? I was in Tanzania the 6 month he was at the club and i could rarely watch the games. So i never really understood why he failed. I was under the impression that he did not get a proper chance because Rafa actually did not want him.

{Ed001's Note - he was misbehaving off the field. Rafa did want him and had asked for him specifically.}

13.) 06 Jan 2016
06 Jan 2016 18:21:19
Cheers ed1, appreciate the info.

{Ed001's Note - you are welcome.}

14.) 06 Jan 2016
06 Jan 2016 19:57:29
Thanks Ed, always thought it was the other way around.

{Ed001's Note - no mate, Rafa made it clear publicly that his ideal transfer window was Barry AND Keane. It wasn't Rafa throwing his toys out of the pram at getting Keane, it was Keane's own fault he never got his chance.}