By Alan Duffy
Liverpool’s hopes of a Champions League spot was finally put to rest after a 1-1 draw with top-tier champs Chelsea.
Cesc Fabregas was lucky not to see red just after the kick-off, when he went in hard and late on Raheem Sterling.
John Terry opened the scoring after just five minutes, out-jumping Rickie Lambert to head home.
Jose Mourinho had given youngster Ruben Loftus-Cheek a full Premier League debut and the defender impressed throughout.
Liverpool produced a fine display and were rewarded just before the break, with Steven Gerrard headed in from the far post.
Gerrard had been lambasted by the home crowd throughout the games, with some of the Chelsea fans even bringing LAMINATED ‘Caution – Slip Hazard’ bantztastic signs.
In the second period, Brendan Rodgers sent on youngster 18-year-old striker Jerome Sinclair as his side looked for a winner.
Philippe Coutinho went close for the Reds as they continued to push for a precious win to keep their faint top-four hopes alive. However, ultimately the game would end 1-1.
While champions Chelsea are now nine points clear of Man City, the Reds are six points behind fourth-placed Man Utd, with just two games to play (and a vastly inferior goal difference).
After the game, Steven Gerrard, who had been lambasted by the Stamford Bridge crowd throughout before being applauded off when subbed, had a little dig at the Blues’ fans.
Highlights…
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