Steven Gerrard has been the heartbeat of Liverpool this season.
There was the distinct feeling of a bubble being popped at Anfield last Sunday.
After 11 wins on the trot, the cold, hard professionals of Chelsea had done a number on Brendan Rodgers’ wide-eyed innocents and stolen their sweets just before they could get them home.
The game was up. The chance was blown. There’d be no first title in 24 years.
It’s hard to figure out the why that assumption has been made. It’s not as if Liverpool haven’t shown resolve in adversity this season.
They’d lost five times prior to the Chelsea defeat. On four occasions they won the next League game. The only time they didn’t was when they lost back-to-back at Manchester City and Chelsea over Christmas.
Liverpool have been a bit too nave at times but that doesn’t mean they don’t have bottle.
Just as there are many different ways to win a football match, there are many ways to show courage.
Rodgers says that you have to be brave to get on the ball and make your skill tell. He’s right. He will demand a positive reaction at Crystal Palace tomorrow, and the chances are he’ll get one.
As ever, he will look to Steven Gerrard to take the lead. Gerrard’s slip effectively cost his team the points against Chelsea. If it costs them the title, too, it will be the cruellest blow since John
Terry’s feet went from under him in the Champions League Final in Moscow in 2008. Crueller, probably. The Chelsea skipper was only 27. He had almost half a career to put it right and eventually won his medal.
While this might not be Gerrard’s last chance of winning the title, at 34 this month it’s certainly his best.
He’s been the heartbeat of Liverpool this season. From his inspirational huddle after the win over City to the statesman-like lead he’s taken in matters relating to Hillsborough, he’s been the squad’s moral compass.
Tomorrow, voting closes for the Footballer of the Year award. Gerrard and team-mate Luis Suarez are front-runners, along with Yaya Toure.
Stevie G has led England to the World Cup. If he doesn’t lead Liverpool to the title he’ll get them closer than anyone including him ever thought possible.
For the record, I voted for him. Whether or not he gets that medal, this has been his season.
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