Steven Gerrard has described Liverpool’s failure to win the Premier League during the 2013/2014 season, as his “wound that won’t close”.
Liverpool finished in second behind City five years ago, two points behind the eventual champions, after a late season slump which continues to be defined by Gerrard’s unfortunate slip in a 2-0 defeat against Chelsea to Anfield.
Jurgen Klopp’s current group of players now sit second in the table, a point behind City, after losing momentum since starting 2019 seven points ahead of Pep Guardiola’s men.
And with the club still looking to end a title drought stretching back to 1990, the former Liverpool captain admits he continues to be haunted by 2014.
“This wound has been open since my experience.
“I am not sure it will close because I can’t change that experience and my experience.
“It doesn’t affect how I feel towards what I am looking in on now.
“I look at a squad of players, some of whom I am still friends with. I see a support that gave me absolutely everything from the terraces and around the world.
“I just hope for their sake, and mine as a supporter, that come the end of the competition they are victorious. But it won’t make me or my wound feel any different,” Gerrard, who is now managing Rangers, said.
Gerrard won every major club honour except the Premier League during his illustrious Liverpool career.
But while he insists that his other trophies help soften the blow of missing out on the title, the memory of falling short does not go away.
“I don’t just look back to that one game [Chelsea] or one campaign. I don’t overthink and drive myself crazy over it.
“At the same time, I have been honest and open, it was such a big year. It was the trophy that eluded me, so of course I am always going to look back and wish it was different.
“If I had a choice of winning the Champions League or Premier League, I’d say the Champions League probably.
“But that doesn’t mean I didn’t crave a Premier League. It is such a big prize.
“But I don’t want to give the players a warning. Warnings seem critical or panicky.
“My advice, having been a player in that team and playing for those supporters for so long, would be don’t overthink it. Just enjoy it. Believe in yourselves,” he added.
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