LIVERPOOL will not be able to replace departing captain Steven Gerrard, according to Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho.
The Reds skipper is set to call time on 17 years at Anfield this summer, when he will join MLS outfit LA Galaxy, and Mourinho has been effusive in his praise of Gerrard throughout the week, describing him as a “dear enemy”.
Speculation has been rife as to whether Liverpool will dip into the transfer market to acquire a central midfielder to fill the void left by Gerrard, but Mourinho insists that a single player cannot replace the 34-year-old.
“I think you have to replace with a team organisation, with a team philosophy, with a principle of play – not a player. Because, if you replace, you replace with another one who is not so good,” Mourinho said.
“You cannot go in that direction. You cannot think, I bring this guy to replace Steven Gerrard, you cannot think, I bring this guy to replace Frank Lampard, to replace Paolo Maldini. You can’t.
“You have just to try to organise a team in a way where the team can be successful without them.”
Gerrard will face Chelsea for the final time on Sunday, with the Reds set to give the champions a guard of honour at Stamford Bridge.