On this day six years ago, Steven Gerrard made a critical error in a 2-0 defeat to Chelsea, as a first Premier League title slipped out of Liverpool’s hands.
This is a moment that has brought about agony and comic relief in equal measure. While Liverpool fans remember it because a first ever Premier League title started slipping out of their grasps the moment this happened, supporters of rival clubs have used it to troll the Kop for years now.
It is 27th April, 2014. Liverpool are in the driver’s seat in the Premier League title race. Three wins from their remaining games would hand them their maiden league title of the Premier League era. Up next are Chelsea at Anfield. Things do not go to plan, however, as a resolute Chelsea side frustrate the hosts in their search for a deadlock-breaking goal.
At the stroke of half-time, the chips fell dramatically. Steven Gerrard looked to collect a simple pass from Mamadou Sakho. But, just as the ball is about to reach him, he slips. A lurking Demba Ba pounces, collecting the stray ball before storming away from the then-Liverpool captain and scoring past Simon Mignolet.
Another goal late in the game hands Chelsea a 2-0 win. A week later, a 3-3 draw against Crystal Palace effectively ends Liverpool’s title chase. Manchester City would not slip like Gerrard, winning each of their last three games to return to the summit of English football. For Gerrard, however, there was no room to hide, after making arguably the most critical mistake of his playing career.