Steven Gerrard was back strutting his stuff at Anfield on Saturday as his beloved Liverpool played Chelsea in a charity match, with one moment summing up his love for his former club’s fans
Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard made his feelings on a return to Anfield crystal clear during a charity match against Chelsea. Gerrard, who captained Liverpool’s XI of legends on Saturday afternoon, was on the winning side as ex-team-mate Peter Crouch scored twice.
The former midfielder is currently out of work, having left his role as manager Saudi Arabian club Al-Ettifaq in January. Gerrard, 44, has been linked with multiple jobs since coming back to the UK, including a return to Rangers.
But he laced up his boots on Saturday, as the two Premier League sides had gathered up former players to raise money for various charities. In the first half, Gerrard walked over to take a corner in front of the Anfield Road End and was met with a brilliant ovation.
The ex-Liverpool captain responding by kissing the badge on his shirt and pumping his fist. That prompted a roar from the home fans, some of whom were too young to remember his 17 years playing for the club.
Gerrard is no stranger to expressing his love for Liverpool when he’s up against Chelsea. In May 2015, Gerrard marked one of his final games for the Reds with a goal which earned Brendan Rodgers’ side a 1-1 draw Stamford Bridge. He told Sky Sports post-match: “I was more happy with the ovation from the Liverpool fans.
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“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.”
Speaking to BBC Sport, Gerrard added: “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 supporters have indeed ridiculed Gerrard down the years, particularly for his infamous slip which severely dented Liverpool’s chances of winning their first ever Premier League title in 2014. Blues fans held up signs which read ‘caution slip hazard’ during the aforementioned match.
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But had things gone differently, Gerrard would’ve played for Chelsea. Blues boss Jose Mourinho wanted to sign the England star in 2004, with ex-Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry revealing years later: “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.”
Former Chelsea captain John Terry said: “Mourinho expressed his interest to the England players (at Chelsea) – 100 per cent 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.”
Fortunately for Liverpool fans, a £20million move fell through and Gerrard led the Reds to Champions League glory in 2005. He made over 700 appearances for his boyhood club, scoring 186 goals.
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