Steven
Gerrard said it was "nice of Chelsea fans to turn up for once" after the
Stamford Bridge crowd goaded the Liverpool captain during Sunday's 1-1 draw.
Gerrard, playing what was his last game at Stamford Bridge before leaving
Liverpool for the LA Galaxy in the summer, was given a standing ovation by
the majority of the home support when substituted in the 79th minute.
But some fans also held up "caution, slip hazard" posters during the game,
referencing Gerrard's slip in the vital 2-0 defeat against Chelsea at
Anfield last year as Liverpool chased the Premier League title.
"I'm not going to get drawn into wishing the Chelsea fans well, it was nice
of them to turn up for once today," Gerrard told.
"I was more happy with the ovation from the Liverpool fans. I think the
Chelsea fans have shown respect for a couple of seconds, but they've
slaughtered me all game.
"If you get a standing ovation at a stadium it is always nice, but what is
always important is the support from the Liverpool fans, and they've been
with me since day one."
Gerrard, who will play his last competitive game at Anfield for Liverpool
against Crystal Palace next Saturday, insists the club need investment in
the summer to improve.
Having finished second last season, the club are now all-but out of the race
for the top four.
"I think now this team has got to build for next year. We didn't win the
game, but we've certainly showed with additions and a bit of improvement
that we can compete next year," Gerrard added.
"I think it's important the lads get some rest after the last couple games,
and that the owners dig deep and try to help Brendan and the lads out, try
and make some additions and try to improve.
"There's a great core of players here, they have terrific potential and the
future looks alright, but it is important we try to compete with the giants
in the league, they're all going to spend big and this league is getting
more and more difficult every year."
Chelsea came onto the pitch to a traditional guard of honour from Liverpool,
something Gerrard admitted "was not nice".
"It's not nice when you're doing it for other people," Gerrard added. "But
this football club has always shown respect and the guard of honour comes
with tradition.
"Chelsea have won the league, they are champions, have a terrific manager,
and deserve the guard of honour today, but it certainly wasn't nice doing
it."
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho admitted in the week that Gerrard was his
"best enemy" and that he had attempted to sign the midfielder during his
first spell at Chelsea, as well as his time at Real Madrid and Inter Milan.
Gerrard, who insists Mourinho is the best manager in the world, admitted his
head was turned purely because of the Portuguese boss.
"I've got huge respect for him, he's the best manager in the world for me.
I'd have signed for him three times if I wasn't a Liverpool fan.
"He's the reason why my head was turned on a couple of occasions, but he
understood why I couldn’t do it, and that's because I love Liverpool
football club.
"I did [wonder] at the time, but for me I always said to myself if I win a
couple of trophies at Liverpool it would an awful lot mean more to me than
to win 10 at Chelsea, Real Madrid or Inter Milan.
"It always means more to win it for your people."
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