It’s a moment that has already gone down in footballing folklore, and one that will be remembered for a long time.
Steven Gerrard’s slip against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, at the climax of the title race in 2014, lead to a goal from Demba Ba that cost Stevie and the Reds a first Premier League trophy.
Gerrard’s loss of possession has long been blamed for the goal and therefore the loss of the title, but Gary Neville, speaking on Monday Night Football yesterday, had a totally different take:
“I’ve not said this before because at the time, it was such a deep wound for Liverpool fans and Steven Gerrard personally,” Neville said in quotes recorded in the Daily Mirror.
“I thought the keeper should have done better. I’ve never said it before.
“If that was a moment later on this season, I think Alisson would save it. I think eight times out of ten, he would save it.”
It’s an interesting one. Ba doesn’t strike it that cleanly, that’s for sure. But the goal just seemed so inevitable, so cinematic, from the moment that Stevie lost his footing, that nobody has ever really considered any other eventuality other than the striker finding the net.
What do you reckon?
