SAY HALO AND GOODBYE TO HOMEGROWN HEROES

WHEN the Steven Gerrard trial was coming to an end, there was absolutely no truth in the rumour that the jury was asked to go away and consider its Not Guilty verdict.

Everyone, of course, is equal in the eyes of the law.

But not in the eyes of the football fan. Hence, Lucas has a couple of problems.

One, he's not brilliant. Two, he's playing alongside Gerrard.

In the wake of the defeat in Florence (and we have become so arrogant, so complacent, so blinkered that we consider a home victory for Serie A's fourth-placed team over the Premier League's third-placed team some sort of seismic shock), Tony Cascarino penned a poisonous attack on several Liverpool players.

He even included the normally reliable Martin Skrtel, claiming the Slovakian defender was not fit to wear the Liverpool shirt.

No mention of Jamie Carragher who, by his own admission I'm sure, has endured the odd poor game this season. Carragher is given the benefit of the doubt. He has been left exposed by a midfield shorn of the injured Javier Mascherano and the departed Xabi Alonso and by full-backs who see defensive duties as an irritating distraction.

Today, Carrragher and Gerrard will lead Liverpool into an umpteenth battle with Chelsea, whose performance at Wigan last week was truly lamentable.

At the end of that game, John Terry and Frank Lampard made a point of going over to what remained of the travelling support. The threadbare contingent reciprocated the players' applause, even though Terry and Lampard were as culpable as anybody else in a blue shirt.

Gerrard, Carragher, Terry and Lampard are not exempt from criticism.

They are just allowed the sort of leeway not afforded to, say, Lucas, Skrtel, Florent Malouda or Jon Obi Mikel.

Psychologists call it the halo effect. But these four men have earned their halos through 43 years and nearly 1500 appearances' worth of fantastic service to their clubs.

And judging by the extended contracts they enjoy, their clubs expect that service to continue for some time.

But at the end of this season, Gerrard will have joined Lampard and Carragher in the thirties and Terry will only be a few months shy.

And not all will be as freakishly effective as Ryan Giggs in their fourth decade.

The performances of this quartet will today be pivotal in deciding the outcome of this latest spat between Chelsea and Liverpool.

But while their powers are not exactly waning dramatically, I would suggest they are not in their pomp either. And what plans are being made for their succession? None.

Sure, if Roman Abramovich continues his patronage - a bigger 'if' than many may think - and if a Saudi tycoon can be persuaded to get on board at Anfield, the clubs will throw money at the issue.

(In Chelsea's case, once the transfer ban has been lifted.)

That may ensure Chelsea and Liverpool remain at the business end of the Premier League and Champions League but it will do nothing for the vibrancy of the clubs, for their heritage, for their traditions.

Gerrard, Carragher and Terry have been the heartbeat of Liverpool and Chelsea for many years because their professional lives were born into their clubs.

And Lampard has been adopted. But where are the players coming through the ranks?

Where are the players who will ensure the heartbeat still pounds to a rhythm set by these four sons?

Young players in the image of Gerrard, Lampard, Terry and Carragher?

Nowhere to be seen. The cupboards are bare.

I may yet be doing him a disservice but you can bet Carlo Ancelotti is not concerned and, by the evidence of his reign so far, neither is Rafa Benitez.

Short-termism rules. It matters not a jot to them that the future does not belong to a core of players reared on the culture and heritage of two great institutions.

And when the time comes, Gerrard, Carragher, Lampard and Terry will be replaced. But the heart and soul they bring to their clubs will not.

Now get the News of World print edition for more from Andy Dunn.

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