For Steven Gerrard, life’s challenges are now new ones. Management with Rangers is all-consuming, as he knew and hoped it would be.
He looks as though as he is carrying the stresses of the job relatively lightly but does he sleep as easily as he used to? He says not.
Liverpool will never be far away, though. He will never really leave his home city — his home club — behind and as Jurgen Klopp and his players attempt to win the Premier League title he came so close to five years ago, the detritus left by his own very public failure will never go away.
Rangers manager Steven Gerrard is still keeping a close eye on Liverpool results this year
‘That wound has been open since my experience and I am not sure it will close,’ said Gerrard this week.
‘I can’t change that experience. It doesn’t affect how I feel towards what I am looking in on now. I look at a squad, some of whom I am still friends with. I see a support that gave me absolutely everything and I see a manager who has been an open book with me.
‘I just hope for their sake, and mine as a supporter, that come the end of the season they are victorious in the Premier League. But it won’t make me or my wound feel any different if they are.’
Gerrard’s reference point barely needs mentioning. Liverpool were in control of the 2014 title race before he slipped to help Chelsea win at Anfield three games from the end. Two weeks later, Manchester City were champions and Gerrard’s 16-year quest for a Premier League success was done.
Gerrard remains haunted by his slip against Chelsea, which dented Liverpool's title chances
It was five years ago when the former captain came agonisingly close to the biggest prize of all
The 38-year-old former Liverpool captain’s career is not defined by what happened, but the stain is indelible. This year, with Liverpool and City cheek by jowl at the top once more, it is unlikely the outcome will be so permanently linked to the actions of one man.
At Anfield, Klopp has done his best to appear phlegmatic but Gerrard knows how difficult it is. It is less than a year since City won the Premier League while Liverpool have never won it.
Whether this serves to motivate or frighten players is unknown. Either way, it has to be dealt with. ‘I don’t want to give them a warning as warnings seem critical or panicky,’ said Gerrard. ‘My advice, having played for those supporters for so long, would be not to overthink it. Just enjoy it. Believe in yourselves.
It was the trophy that eluded me so I’m always going to wish it was different
‘It was difficult for me at times, on certain days. But I was local, a supporter who had
