Costly Slip-Ups That Leave Premier League Players Bawlin’ in Now and Then

By Rebecca Coles. If the travelling Chelsea fans had not chanted: “He’s done it again”, Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard might have managed to get away with blaming his lightweight boots or the groundsman for over-watering the pitch in explanation for his error on Sunday. And with Gerrard's mistake still fresh in the mind, costly slip-ups are the focus of this week's Now and Then…

Blues boss Jose Mourinho definitely parked two buses at Anfield as his patched-up side recorded a 2-0 win to blow the title race wide open once again. But Gerrard hit the headlines after miscontrolling a simple pass left him on his knees, allowing Demba Ba to race through on goal and roll the ball under Simon Mignolet for the first goal.

Chelsea’s victory handed Manchester City the edge in the race for Premier League glory and left Reds fans in a state of shock.

It also proved costly for Liverpool’s youth team who were promised a round of happy meals by Gerrard if he was able to lead the team to a Chelsea defeat.

Looking back, Gerrard may well have counted his chickens the previous weekend as he celebrated a tearful win after beating City. Just a week later, he was the catalyst for his beloved side’s title challenge falling apart.

Despite nearly signing for Chelsea back in 2005 before completing a swift U-turn and agreeing a new Liverpool contract, the away fans were far from sympathetic towards the 33-year-old Kop legend.

It’s not the first time the Reds skipper has made a costly slip, either. However, if you have suffered from short-term memory loss like Graeme Souness appeared to on Super Sunday, “It could have happened to anyone”.

Gerrard’s generosity in the past has helped other clubs to win the title. Back in 2006 a mistimed backpass allowed Arsenal striker Thierry Henry to put the Gunners 2-1 up, costing Liverpool ground in their pursuit of Chelsea and Manchester United.

However the England man was guilty yet again back in 2010. He helped Chelsea storm ahead of Manchester United in the race for the title after a pass to Pepe Reina was caught out by Didier Drogba.

Naturally, Gerrard is not alone in wishing the ground would swallow him up..

In 2008 Chelsea fans suffered the heartbreak of losing the Champions League final to Manchester United. Captain John Terry broke down in tears after a vital miss in the penalty shoot-out.

It was actually Nicolas Anelka who missed the last penalty after Cristiano Ronaldo gave Chelsea the advantage, yet Terry shouldered the blame for his slip-up at the crucial moment.

John Terry later revealed in 2009 to Mail Sport that he still thinks about that Champions League final miss 30-40 times a day. Gerrard’s error could come back to haunt him if Liverpool do miss out on winning the title.

If Gerrard is to hold back the tears until the end of the season too, I would strictly advise against signing into Twitter where football fans were quick to make a joke at the England captain’s expense with string of internet memes.

As the Premier League season reaches a climax, the question still remains: who will have the last laugh in the title race?

Read the rest of Rebecca’s Now and Then series here!

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