OPINION
There are few moments in Liverpool’s history that have stung as much as Steven Gerrard’s now infamous slip against Chelsea at Anfield in 2014.
That cruel mishap allowed Demba Ba in to score a goal that would ultimately be viewed as the turning point in the Reds’ title bid under Brendan Rodgers, and that would echo through recent history as a reminder of just how close Liverpool came to ending their league drought.
It has been jumped on by fans all across the globe, but there will be no set of supporters who reminisce about it as sweetly as Chelsea’s.
The two clubs have had a fairly bitter rivalry for some time now, and this Sunday will be the latest opportunity for the Blues to throw a spanner in the works for their hosts.
Liverpool know that they need a win, but Chelsea’s squad will be just as aware of that fact, and will no doubt be doing all they can to cause another upset on Merseyside.
This is a sentiment expressed, a little smugly, by defender Cesar Azpilicueta.
As quoted in the Daily Mail, he said: “When we went there they had the party nearly ready because they were smashing every team in Anfield.
“We arrived with a very clear idea and we did the game we had to do in that moment.
“To beat that team, they were getting very good results, to beat them 2-0 was a very important win for the club, for the fans.
“Everyone enjoyed that day and hopefully we can replicate it on Sunday.”
The Spaniard’s remarks should get blood boiling on the Kop and have Liverpool’s squad riled up, but the Reds must use them as a force for good rather than letting them psyche them out.
There is a lot at stake in the present, but equally, there is a lot to avenge from five years ago as well, and if they didn’t have enough motivation going into the game as it is, the demons of going so close half a decade ago should be enough to rile Jurgen Klopp’s men to victory.
