Football

From an objective POV - it really seems with Gerrard that Liverpool FC and it's fans are just trying to find a role for him where he won't be too much of a liability - at the expense of the team.

Liverpool already have a number of players who are more suited to the role of number 10, why stifle them on behalf of a player who should be used sparingly anyway (especially given he's not fit). He's not going to be able to play 90mins of 40 games a season any more, so why (other than for sentimental reasons) would you build a team around him?

There is a lot of truth here and I think Rafa saw it the same way: He did trust him playing deeper and had the fortitude to play him attacking just behind Torres- his best ever return for the club.
I lamented the quarterback (CRINGE, I hate that term) role in recent times. But he does still offer a lot, especially given the injuries we have in the middle. To say Lucas has lost a yard would be a understatement. I travel quicker trackstanding than his sprint. Allen and Can injured on international duty* makes him a clear starter.

As Dicki mentioned, playing him further upfront where he can't fuck us up too bad saw him make a big difference last weekend. He's been getting marked out of the game playing deeper so the change is as good a rest.

*note no one complained about these injuries as they occurred during match play and not from being over trained (as woy has since admitted with Sturridge).