20 May 2023 , 16:54
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Steven Gerrard was on the receiving end of some abuse from Aston Villa fans during their 1-1 draw against Liverpool at Anfield on Saturday.
Villa and Liverpool supporters have very different opinions on Gerrard, who was sacked by the Midlands club in October. The 42-year-old is one of Liverpool’s greatest ever players, having spent 17 years churning out performances in their midfield.
But at Villa he is not so fondly remembered, having won just 13 of his 40 games as manager. The upturn in form since Unai Emery took over has further emphasised Gerrard’s struggles at Villa Park – and the supporters were happy to voice their thoughts on Saturday.
Chants of “Steven Gerrard, what a w***er, what a w***er" were heard in the first half, before Villa fans added: "If it wasn't for Gerrard we'd be top".
Gerrard remains without a managerial role, but has been working as a pundit for BT Sport and Channel 4 over the past few months. He was linked with the Trabzonspor and Poland jobs earlier this year.
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The away fans were in a good mood for most of their visit to Anfield, with Jacob Ramsey’s goal midway through the first half giving them the lead after Ollie Watkins missed a penalty. Cody Gakpo ’s goal was then contentiously ruled out for offside against Virgil van Dijk and it looked as though Emery’s side were going to leave with all the points.
Roberto Firmino scored a late equaliser for Liverpool against Aston Villa (Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)However, Roberto Firmino came off the bench in his final appearance at Anfield before leaving the club at the end of his contract to score a 90th-minute equaliser. Although Villa ended their seven-game winning run, that goal ensured Liverpool are still in the hunt for a top-four finish.
Liverpool finish their season away at Southampton next weekend, but Manchester United and Newcastle only need one point from their final two matches to secure Champions League football. Villa are in seventh place, level on points with Brighton, who still have three games left ot play.
"Before the game, with their form, we would probably have taken a point,” Ramsey told Premier League Productions. “But we were 1-0 up for so long and we had chances to kill the game. But a point at Anfield is really good.
"We're disappointed not to get the three points. When you come to places like this, the first 15 and last 20 we were definitely under [pressure]. But if you're going to come to these places and get a result, you have to dig deep and we did that.
"I think if we are going to get a European place we want it to be in our hands. It's going to be a big, tough game against Brighton who are also fighting for a position."