Steven Gerrard has revealed that he had to leave Anfield on Tuesday night during Liverpool’s stunning 4-0 win over Barcelona because he couldn’t handle the pressure of watching the match.
The Rangers boss was in the stands to watch his former club overcome the biggest of European hurdles, but has admitted that he made a dart for it when things got a bit tetchy.
As quoted in the Scottish Sun, he said: “I couldn’t cope with the final few minutes, I had to leave. I couldn’t cope when it went to four.
“I had visions of a couple of former team-mates and the best player in the world breaking my heart, so I decided to leave. I had seen enough. I got in the car and left at 4-0.
“Thankfully we got over the line and I’m really pleased.”
OPINION
This just shows that no matter where he goes or who he manages, Gerrard is a Red through and through. There’s something really comforting about knowing that even the most legendary players, the most accomplished of professionals, are reduced to a bag of nerves when they are forced to sit and watch like the rest of us. To be fair to Gerrard, you can understand why he went. Even at 4-0 up, the prospect of Liverpool actually managing to shut out that Barca side to record one of the greatest comebacks ever seemed somehow improbable. This was a night for the ages at Anfield, one that will be remembered for lifetimes, and Gerrard the fan will be just as ecstatic with the result as Gerrard the player would have been. Schedules permitting, you would imagine that he will be in Madrid for the final on June 1st, but if things get a little nervy against Spurs, the drive back to Glasgow will be a tad longer for the Kop hero.
