As a Liverpool fan, them’s fightin’ words. Also, it’s been long established that he and Lampard can’t play together and of the two, Lampard’s looked by far the worse of the two so far this tournament. Dropping him for Joe Cole is the way to go for Slovenia.

Golden Generation my arse.

I believe it’s highly unfair to blame the last twenty or so years of England football on the guy.

@Stubborn: Also Liverpool fan. But he is not a leader. He can’t set a mood, only react to it. And he’s about to go to Real Madrid anyway, so I am especially bitter with him for quitting us.

First thought: whoa, harsh! Second thought: hmm, point. But I think Lampard is not blameless here.

yeah, believe me, there is plenty of blame to spread around for England. but i know from experience as a Liverpool fan that Gerrard doesn’t pull a good team out of a bad slump; he pouts and makes it worse. captains should do better. 

it’s fascinating how all the teams with prominent Liverpool players are underperforming - England w/ Stevie and Jamie, Slovakia with Skrtel, Spain with Torres. even Kuyt’s Dutch, while collecting 6 points, look like they are barely revving up.

to be clear, though: i am one of a small minority of Liverpool fans who blame Gerrard first and foremost for 09-10. i am livid with him. he was horribly out of form, pouting, and rumors persisted all season that he was part of the locker room unrest. captains should not sink their own ships.

he’s a great player when things are going well around him, but i am sick to death of his petulance. 30 years old, dude. act like a pro.