Former Chelsea striker Demba Ba has admitted that he has made ‘enjoyable’ of Steven Gerrard’s notorious slip in Liverpool’s 2-0 Premier League loss to the Blues on 27 April 2014.
Going into the sport at Anfield, the Reds knew that seven factors from their final three league video games would win them the Premier League title. Jose Mourinho arrange a reasonably defensive facet and Chelsea had been completely satisfied to take in the strain and await alternatives to assault.
One such likelihood got here in first-half stoppage time, when Gerrard slipped and failed to manage a easy cross in his personal half. Ba was on his toes and pounced on the chance, making no mistake along with his end and placing Chelsea 1-0 up on the break.
As soon as a Liverpool fan-favorite, Fernando Torres broke the Reds’ followers hearts as he assisted teammate Willian’s second half stoppage-time strike. The draw meant Liverpool didn’t have their destiny in their very own palms with regard to the title.
Recalling the slip, which proved to be pivotal in Liverpool’s 2013-14 league season falling aside, Ba advised FourFourTwo:
“I keep in mind all of my objectives like they had been my past love, however this one may be very particular to individuals due to the state of affairs and the drama that went with it. Gerrard hadn’t received the league and Liverpool hadn’t for a few years.
“It was a extremely powerful second for these gamers. For me, frankly, it’s simply one other purpose. There are iconic moments in soccer the place you’re the nice man or the dangerous man – that’s life. I don’t make enjoyable of it. Nicely, perhaps a few times…!”
Liverpool drew the next league recreation in opposition to Crystal Palace 3-3 regardless of holding a 3-0 lead within the recreation. Their last-day win in opposition to Newcastle United wasn’t sufficient as Manchester Metropolis received the league title by two factors.
What Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard stated about his slip in Chelsea defeat
Steven Gerrard in the end left Liverpool in the summertime of 2015 having by no means received the Premier League title. He joined LA Galaxy and performed for them till his retirement as a participant in January 2017.
Gerrard spoke in regards to the slip in an interview in June 2015 and stated, through the Guardian:
“The slip occurred at a nasty time, it was merciless for me personally. There’s not a day that doesn’t go by that I don’t take into consideration what if that didn’t occur. Would issues have been totally different? Wouldn’t it have turned out totally different? Perhaps it would of, I don’t know.”
Liverpool ultimately received the Premier League title within the 2019-20 season underneath Jurgen Klopp’s reign. However it got here 5 years after Gerrard, a legend at Liverpool, left Anfield.
The Englishman is presently the supervisor of Saudi Professional League membership Al-Ettifaq, having managed Aston Villa, Rangers, and Liverpool’s youth groups prior to now.