Source: Liverpool_Echo
Sotirios Kyrgiakos leading Liverpool FC by example
Sotirios Kyrgiakos 300[LNB]EARLIER in the season the thought of going into a Premier League clash without both Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher would have been enough to give Roy Hodgson a sleepless night.[LNB]In fact not since Derby County arrived at Anfield in September 2007 have Liverpool embarked on a league tussle without either of their inspirational double act in the squad.[LNB]Hodgson has described them as the 'lifeblood' of the club but the Reds must battle on without them at home to Gerard Houllier's Aston Villa tonight.[LNB]The manager hopes Gerrard will return at Newcastle this Saturday after a torn hamstring but Carragher won't be seen again until March as he recovers from surgery on a dislocated shoulder.[LNB] However, rather than fear the absence of the home grown pair, Hodgson now believes he has deputies with the qualities required to ensure the Reds return to winning ways after last Sunday's last-gasp 2-1 defeat at Spurs.[LNB]Carragher's role as the defensive lynchpin will go to Sotirios Kyrgiakos.[LNB]The Greek has been hugely impressive so far this season and was unfortunate to lose his place in the side last month following the return to fitness of Glen Johnson.[LNB]It's a sign of just how far Kyrgiakos has come that Hodgson considered handing him the captaincy for last Thursday's Europa League game with Steaua Bucharest.[LNB]Ultimately, the armband went to Pepe Reina, who will lead the Reds again tonight, but Kyrgiakos still led by example in Romania with another gutsy display.
