Liverpool icon Steven Gerrard couldn’t have been clearer about his enduring affection for the Reds during a star-studded charity clash with Chelsea.
Leading the Liverpool legends on Saturday, Gerrard saw his side triumph, with Peter Crouch bagging a brace. Currently without a managerial post since his departure from Saudi Arabian outfit Al-Ettifaq earlier this year, the 44-year-old Gerrard has been the subject of speculation regarding various roles, including a potential return to Rangers.
Yet, it was back in his familiar midfield role at Anfield where he shone once again, as old stars from both Liverpool and Chelsea came together to support charitable causes. Receiving a rapturous welcome as he stepped up for a corner at the Anfield Road End, Gerrard reciprocated the love by kissing the Liverpool badge and delivering an emphatic fist pump, much to the delight of fans, young and old alike.
Gerrard’s affinity for Liverpool, especially in matches against Chelsea, is well-documented. In one of his final appearances for Liverpool at Stamford Bridge in May 2015, he scored to secure a 1-1 draw for Brendan Rodgers’ team.
Reflecting on that moment with Sky Sports, he said: “I was more happy with the ovation from the Liverpool fans. Chelsea fans have had respect for a couple of seconds today but have slaughtered me all game. I’m not going to get drawn into wishing Chelsea fans well. It was nice of them to turn up for once today.”
Discussing Chelsea fans’ brief moment of admiration, he added to BBC Sport: “It was a nice touch. I know they’ve absolutely murdered me for years because I never signed here. I’ve had great support from the Liverpool fans – that’s all that matters to me.”
Chelsea faithful have endlessly mocked Gerrard over time, notably for the slip in 2014 that hampered Liverpool’s bid for their inaugural Premier League title, with ‘caution slip hazard’ signs brandished during the notorious game.
The course of history could have diverged if Gerrard had joined Chelsea; Mourinho coveted the England midfielder back in 2004. Revelations since by ex-Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry disclosed, “I think during the Euros, Steven pretty much decided he wanted to go to Chelsea.
“The mistake Chelsea made was letting Steven come back to Liverpool after the Euros. They should have kept him on [Roman] Abramovich’s boat.”
John Terry on the signing that enver happened added: “Mourinho expressed his interest to the England players (at Chelsea) – 100 percent he would have made us stronger – and asked if we could have a quiet word with Stevie, which we did. Stevie literally said from day one he didn’t want to go but in the end, he got kind of turned.”
Luckily for the Anfield faithful, the transfer didn’t materialize and Gerrard went on to captain Liverpool to Champions League success in 2005. He racked up more than 700 appearances for his childhood team, netting 186 times.
