The pair know each other well
The Old Firm Derbies of next season are set to be even more tense that usual with the added layer of Steven Gerrard being appointed Rangers manager and coming up against his old manager, Brendan Rodgers.
Gerrard was Rodgers’ captain at Liverpool for three seasons, during which time they came within touching distance of winning the Premier League in 2013/14. The turning point in Liverpool’s title push came late on in the season when they lost 2-0 to Chelsea at Anfield, largely due to Gerrard slipping in a vulnerable position, allowing Demba Ba through on goal. For the rest of the game, Liverpool struggled to break down a Chelsea side set up in the most José Mourinho way imaginable.
Gerrard has since written in his autobiography about that day, and he wasn’t afraid to criticise his old boss.
“I sensed an over-confidence in Brendan’s team talks. We played into Chelsea’s hands”, Gerrard said, as stated in The Times.
Rodgers has hit back, defending the approach he took into that game.
“I don’t think I was more or less confident. We’d won 11 on the bounce. You want to go in with confidence.
“The Chelsea game we played really well but it’s just unfortunate it [the slip, with Demba Ba scoring] happens right before half-time.
“We could have drawn but they score again at the death. It wasn’t pressure or anything like that. The last 14 games we won 12, drew one, lost one.”
Hindsight is a wonderful thing, and perhaps Gerrard has a point, but it’s also clear to see why Liverpool were riding a eave of confidence given their form that season.
