Steven Gerrard slip not to blame for crucial Chelsea loss, insists Liverpool boss
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers refused to blame Steven Gerrard after his costly error set Chelsea on their way to victory which handed the initiative in the title race to Manchester City.
Much has been made of this being the season when Reds captain Gerrard ends his long wait for a championship medal, so it was cruel that his mistake led to Demba Ba’s crucial opening goal in first-half injury time.
Gerrard gave the ball away and slipped, allowing Ba to run clear and slot the ball home.
Substitute Willian scored a breakaway second in the final seconds after he and Fernando Torres breached Liverpool’s defence.
Victory took Chelsea to two points behind their rivals at the top of the table but the ones to really benefit were third-placed City, still with a match in hand on both the teams above them.
It was cruel on Gerrard, who shouted, ‘This does not slip’ in that emotional huddle after Liverpool beat City earlier this month.
‘Steven is a boy who has picked up this club many times and it was just unfortunate because he slipped at a crucial moment and it was right on half-time,’ said Rodgers.
‘There’s certainly no blame because we are in the position we are in now because of him; he’s been instrumental for us this season.’
Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho, who revealed captain John Terry has a chance of being fit for Wednesday’s Champions League semi-final second leg against Atletico Madrid, said: ‘Nobody enjoys it when someone makes a big mistake. I prefer to say Ba was fantastic in front of the keeper.’
Rodgers is confident his side can bounce back. ‘We’ll continue with that positive mentality that we’ve had throughout the season – because that’s the reason why we are where we are,’ he said.
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