Liverpool, United Kingdom: On the training pitches of Melwood, and in Brendan Rodgers’ office, Steven Gerrard is busy trying to reinvent the wheels of his career yet again.

Shorn of Luis Suarez, this is a different Liverpool this season. So far, it’s a flawed version.

It’s a different Gerrard too. It has to be. After the success of last season’s step backwards towards a holding midfield role, the Liverpool captain has found himself hunted quarry this time and, as he looks to prolong his Anfield career, it has been time for a rethink.

“It’s been different this season,” said Gerrard ahead of Saturday’s Anfield clash with Premier League leaders Chelsea. “A couple of teams have set up to man-mark me and stifle me. Against Villa, [Gabriel] Agbonlahor wasn’t remotely interested in the ball or the game, only in following me. The other one was at West Ham, but Sam Allardyce has always done that with me.

“In those two games I found it hard to influence things so I’ve had loads of chats with Brendan about how to counter that if it happens, whether it’s by moving out of position or moving further forward into a ‘10’ position.

“We did that in a recent game and it worked really well and my form has actually been a lot better since people started to try and stifle me.

“I think you will see changes in my game. Brendan and I have worked some things out.”

Liverpool, who came close to winning a long-awaited English league title last season, have spluttered this campaign without the sold Suarez and the injured Daniel Sturridge.

Their 1-0 loss at Real Madrid in midweek — when Gerrard was one of many regulars either rested or dropped — was their seventh defeat of the season already.

Many fingers have been pointed at summer signing Mario Balotelli, but Gerrard — in his 17th season at Anfield — is having none of that but, equally, as captain of his football club he knows what Balotelli must do if he is to succeed. When asked if the No 9 shirt — metaphorically speaking — weighs heavy at Anfield, given those who have passed before, Gerrard replied bluntly: “Yes, it does.

“That shirt does weigh heavy. But so does [my] No 8. So do most of the numbers. With social media and the way the general media has gone, there is so much criticism and opinion out there that if the No 9 weighed heavy 10 years ago it weighs even heavier now.”

Balotelli, who actually wears No 45, has certainly felt that weight.

“To be a main striker at Liverpool you have to expect the pressure and the responsibility and embrace it,” added Gerrard. “Our fans have seen so many quality forwards over the years they expect new ones to be quality in every game. Above everything else you will have to score goals and score them regularly.

“Look at the ones I have played with — Fowler, [Michael] Owen, Suarez, [Fernando] Torres. They have always been consistent with goals and that’s what has made them the superstars they are.

“It’s too early to get on Mario’s back. He just needs time to score the goals he needs to prove to people he is worthy of staying here. I am not going to judge him after 10 games.

“To come in after Suarez was always going to be a big ask and he’s not feeling sorry for himself. He is working hard, doing extra shooting sessions.

“I’ve actually been impressed the way he goes about his work. You hear all kinds of stories and rumours before you meet him, but he does all the work. I like the guy.

“Yes, it seems he likes the attention, he likes being the main man up front. He loves the social media and loves talking to supporters and if he wants that at Liverpool you have to score goals. He will know that. And if he didn’t know it coming in then, he will know it now.”

Gerrard feels he has unfinished business at his one and only club. After last season’s crashing disappointment, it’s hard to blame him. And, after his slip against Saturday’s opponents Chelsea cost the Reds dearly, chants now follow him wherever he goes.

“Do I hear it?” he asked with a wry smile. “Of course. There are thousands of them singing it!

“Does it affect me? No, it drives me on to perform better. It has taken time to recover from last season, of course. For players and supporters. It was a huge setback when we fell short. It hit me hard.

“I’m not looking for excuses but there are collective reasons for our stuttering start this time. We lost a key player, we’ve had a key player injured and other Premier League sides have improved.

“That’s why we’re not sitting top of the league with everything rosy.”

— Daily Mail