Steven Gerrard admits he is still haunted by failing to win the Premier League title with Liverpool, saying the memory of his infamous slip against Chelsea still rears its head from time to time. The Reds legend remains one of the greatest midfielders to ever grace the game but was unable to lead his boyhood club to a league title during an illustrious spell at Anfield.
PL title was the only major club honour Gerrard failed to win
Emerging through Liverpool’s youth academy in 1998, Gerrard established himself as one of English football’s most iconic players during his 17-year period on Merseyside. The midfielder scored 186 goals in 710 appearances in a trophy-laden spell which saw him lift two FA Cups, three League Cups and the 2005 Champions League amongst several other honours. However, the only major trophy Gerrard was unable to lift with Liverpool was the Premier League title, coming desperately close on a couple of occasions.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportFamous Chelsea loss saw Liverpool concede 2013-14 title initiative
Having finished second in the 2008-09 season, just four points behind eventual champions Manchester United, Gerrard and Liverpool put together another title tilt in 2013-14 under Brendan Rodgers. However, with destiny in their own hands as the club chased a first league title since 1990 at the time, Liverpool fell to a 2-0 home defeat against Chelsea on April 27, 2014, with Gerrard making an unfortunate error during the match. Dominating possession against Jose Mourinho’s stubborn Blues, Gerrard suddenly slipped as he failed to control the ball, leading to Demba Ba racing through on goal to put Chelsea in front. Willian then doubled Chelsea’s lead late on in a result which saw Liverpool lose control of the title race to Manchester City, who went on to win the league under manager Manuel Pellegrini.
Gerrard is occasionally tormented by memory of Chelsea slip
And while Gerrard says he generally does not think about his fatal slip against Chelsea, the 45-year-old has revealed that – along with mistakes he made with England on the international stage – he is occasionally tormented by mishaps which prevented him adding more gloss to what was a legendary playing career.
Revealed: Gerrard opens up on his mistakes during iconic career
Speaking to the podcast, Gerrard opened up about the mistakes he made during his playing days, saying: “I'm not sure what comes up the most. I feel good speaking about the good stuff. Istanbul, Olympiacos, the FA Cup, you know… anyway, you feel great.
“And when I do interviews or I see a clip on the telly or blah, blah, blah… and I see a s*** backpass I gave away for England, or I underperformed for England, missed a penalty for England, I feel s***.
“The Chelsea thing is exactly the same. It makes me feel s***. It is what it is. I've got to live with it, I've managed it, I control it. Does it pop up every day of my life? No, it doesn't. Do I have to accept it and be man enough? Yeah, I can't change it.
“But all the s*** moments I have in my career, they rear themselves every now and again. But so does the good stuff. So I have to take the rough with the smooth. But I hate losing football matches. I hate underachieving.
“And I sit here now still here not winning the Premier League. Not just that year, every single year I competed in it. Because I felt at Liverpool, being the captain, I should have delivered that. So I have to take the responsibility and own that.
“But I don't overthink about individual moments, good or bad. I just deal with them as and when they come up. But they do come in and out of my thoughts.”
