Steven Gerrard -
It seems only right to start with England & Liverpool captain, Steven Gerrard. As Liverpool fans are well aware; Gerrard has recently switched positions from the costless roaming, 40-yard-goal scoring number 10 position to a more cultured regista role & with varying degrees of success.
From December onward the captain enjoyed a successful domestic campaign (mention the slip... I dare ya!) in his new position, leading many to believe that the 34 year old may have found a new lease of footballing-life. However, recent form has once again thrown question over how much more the captain has in him.
Gerrard endured a torrid campaign out in Brazil in which he basically provided Luis Suarez with the fate sealing assist as England bombed out - however it's not all doom and gloom. It seemed obvious to ever fan looking (except Hodgson but I digress) that Gerrard was really suffering from the double-pivot system which failed to compensate for the skip's lack of legs. Gerrard himself is not a defensive midfielder & thus to place that responsibility on him was always going to cause problems, however the magnitude of the issues caused was perhaps somewhat unforeseen!
The England & Liverpool captain will now reflect on his part in England's failure this summer but calls from some sections of fans for full retirement seem somewhat premature. Gerrard has a great deal to offer from his superb right foot & the aura of the talismanic man will be difficult to replace - let's enjoy Gerrard while we can!
Jordan Henderson -
Next up on the dissection table is Steven Gerrard's England midfield partner, Jordan Henderson.
After a superb season of club football Jordan Henderson has pushed his way onto the 'first name on the sheet' cliché bus. He, perhaps, is a player that you only see the full worth of if you look week-in-week out but was one of the unsung heroes of England's brief campaign.
Hendo's running power in the tropical heat was bordering on super-human as he constantly looked to hurry his opposition - I'm sure you've all seen the vine of him covering roughly a billion metres in 10 seconds - Italy. The very little midfield protection the back 4 had all came through Henderson & without him we could have received some serious battering.
Although his attacking output was limited by the system of a two man midfield (it's a shame we didn't get to see those crazy penetrating runs!), this World Cup has certainly shown that he is a key cog in England's future.
Glen Johnson -
.... Sigh. Is there are more frustrating player on this earth than Glen Johnson? The Uruguay game perhaps epitomised why LFC fans (or 'jokers' as labelled after Palace game... Whatever...) are tearing their hair out at Glen. A sublime assist, helping Rooney to break his World Cup duck & a grand total of... 0 blocks. Enough said!
Raheem Sterling -
Dubbed 'the new Maradona' by comedian Russell Brand, Raheem was the stand out England player this year.
After a superb second half of the season at Liverpool, Sterling flew out to the World Cup with the world at his feet, yet questions over his starting place. Having dislodged Rooney from the 10 role vs. Italy, Sterling was our stand out attacker. Tricks & flicks & pace & a terrible Mohawk saw Pirlo state that the 19 year old was the only England attacker to cause him any issues - quite the coup!
Sterling was less affective when moved out wide vs. Uruguay, however it's clear to see that Raheem has a bright future as the leading light of all England's bright young things.
Daniel Sturridge -
First World Cup goal: check
Killing it on Instagram all tournament: check
Wiggly arms: check
Sturridge has many years ahead as the main man of both the Liverpool and England attack. Movement, pace and finishing are all in the locker & that first World Cup goal was a peach. Uruguay frustrating but the shackles were on - if you can costless the 20 goal a season striker for the national team, a big future awaits.
Of course, no Liverpool talk would be complete without a mention for new boy/old boy Rickie Lambert. There's not a great deal to say on his World Cup but how cute was that smile on Gerrard's Instagram?!
There's a great deal of hope to be drawn from the Liverpool contingent.We've learnt that Sterling has scary potential, Sturridge is as exciting as ever, Henderson is vastly underrated, Glen is up and down & we need to cherish Stevie while we have him. Above all though, through the heartbreak & the disappointment, we've learnt that it's time to support Columbia.
