27th April 2014 was a fateful day that will forever be etched in Steven Gerrard’s memory. Everybody knows why. Those loyal to the Anfield club remember the heartache, and their rivals recall the pure glee they felt at witnessing that moment.
Steven Gerrard’s slip against Chelsea was a cruel twist of fate.
With 35 games played, Liverpool were on top of the table with 80 points, Manchester City trailed them with 77 and Chelsea were third with 75. The Reds were favourites to win the title - their first in 24 years, and a win against Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea side would have all but confirmed it.
But in the last few seconds of the first half, Sakho played a simple pass to Gerrard in his own half, Gerrard had an uncharacteristically poor touch on the ball and slipped while trying to recover.
Demba Ba pounced on the ball and had a free run on goal before placing the shot past Simon Mignolet to give Chelsea the lead. Willian secured the points with another goal in added time of the second half.
Winning Liverpool’s first title in the Premier League era was supposed to be the fairytale ending to Gerrard’s illustrious career, but sadly it wasn’t to be. Manchester City went on to lift the title that year, on the last day of the season. It remains the only major club honour that the Liverpool captain hadn’t won in his time at Anfield.
Steven Gerrard’s slip was most definitely a momentous event in the history of the club and of the English Premier League. Things could have gone so differently had it not happened.
Let’s take a look at some of the possibilities of what may have been if the Liverpool captain had managed to keep his feet under himself.
#5 Gerrard would have had the perfect goodbye
Had he not slipped, Liverpool would’ve surely gone on to win the title that season. Gerrard would retire having won both his and Liverpool’s first ever English Premier League title.
He would finally complete his trophy collection and the story of his career would be the stuff of movies, and in the process, put an end to all the jibes from rivals about how Liverpool fans live in the past.
Even though Gerrard is already considered among Liverpool’s very best players and leaders, securing the title would’ve cemented his place as the greatest captain in the history of the club.
Also, Manchester United fans would have been forced to put a sock in it. Oh, how perfect and glorious it could have been.
#4 Brendan Rodgers would make his name as a big time manager
Brendan Rodgers hadn’t managed a big club till he took the reins at Liverpool. Not a completely obscure name, but not one who would be expected to be given charge of a team like Liverpool, given his lack experience managing big clubs.
He had a four-year spell in charge of the Chelsea youth before going on to manage Watford, Reading and Swansea City, and then finally coming to Anfield. If he were to become the man to bring the first English Premier League title to the historic club, that would earn him a seat at the big boys’ table of managers.
It wouldn’t necessarily put him in the same bracket of proven serial winners like that of Jose Mourinho and Sir Alex Ferguson, but it would definitely improve his prestige and reputation vastly, taking his standing up a few notches.
#3 The Liverpool squad would have a completely different look
Had Liverpool won the league, it would obviously impact their squad in a big way. Raheem Sterling would still be a Liverpool player today. As far as Luis Suarez is concerned, it is a little difficult to tell, as he always desired to play in Spain. Even after winning the title, when a club like Barcelona come calling, it’s quite difficult to say no.
The prospect of playing for arguably the best club in the world with some of the best players in the world is a mouthwatering one. Still, it’s not unreasonable to say that the Uruguayan forward may have stayed on with the Reds to become a club legend - and there is no doubt he would become exactly that.
The club would have also been able to bring in a few of the elite big name players that fans crave to see in the famous red jersey. Being champions of one of the best football leagues in the world has its upsides.
#2 Gerrard’s ‘we go again’ speech would go down as a part of the club’s lore
After defeating title rivals Manchester City 3-2, in what was a thrilling and dramatic game of football, Liverpool were tantalisingly close to winning the title – on top of the table with 77 points and only four games remaining. Their next challenge was to be against Norwich City away from home.
With the adrenaline of the win still coursing through his veins and being able to smell the Premier League trophy within reach, Gerrard formed a huddle with his teammates in the middle of the pitch and gave a rousing, emotional, inspirational speech while holding back tears.
“This is gone,” he said of the win against Manchester City mere minutes ago. “We go Norwich, exactly the same, we go again. Come on!” “This does not f****** slip now,” he said.
Since life is cruel but also has a wicked a sense of humour, Gerrard himself would be the one to slip two weeks later against Chelsea. Had that not happened, Gerrard’s rallying speech would become an iconic part of the story of how Liverpool won their historic first Premier League title.
#1 Liverpool would’ve missed out on Jurgen Klopp
Had Brendan Rodgers achieved glory that season, he would most likely still be at Anfield today. Although the likes of Chelsea and Real Madrid have been known to sack managers who win trophies, it’s difficult to imagine Liverpool letting go of the man who brought them their first EPL title.
The fact that Rodgers was replaced by Klopp is the one positive outcome of that slip. Rodgers’ Liverpool of 2013/14 were astonishingly quick, sharp and deadly on the attack, but there were some glaring deficiencies in defence.
The partnership between Suarez and Sturridge carried Liverpool that season, with the two of them scoring most of the club’s 101 league goals. Their attacking prowess papered over the significant cracks in defence which saw the team concede more than 50 goals.
Although Rodgers got some things right, the success was never sustainable. Nobody will argue that the Ulsterman is a better man for the job than Klopp. With the German leading the club, it is clear for all to see that Liverpool have a bright future.
That’s not to say that there won’t be failures and disappointments, but they’re on a good path to possible success.
