Liverpool fans thought title already won, says Azpilicueta
Mourinho frustrated by lack of focus
Cesar Azpilicueta believes Liverpool fans got carried away towards the end of last season before Chelsea all but ended their Premier League title hopes by winning at Anfield.
Chelsea return to face Brendan Rodgers’ side on Saturday for the first time since their win on Merseyside on April 27 last term, when Steven Gerrard’s slip allowed Demba Ba to open the scoring with Jose Mourinho parking the bus to seal a 2-0 victory that ended Liverpool’s 11-game winning streak.
Steven Gerrard’s slip allowed Demba Ba to score at Anfield © PA Photos
Liverpool failed to recover from that result and threw away a 3-0 lead to draw at Crystal Palace in their penultimate match of the season as Manchester City stole in to claim the title.
“Everyone thought Liverpool had won the title and when the team bus drove through the streets to get to the ground, there were flags everywhere,” Azpilicueta told The Sun.
“It was a massive day for them but we were professional and coped with the pressure.
“We still had a chance that day to win the title ourselves. It’s the same now – we are determined to get the three points.”
Liverpool sold Luis Suarez to Barcelona in the summer and Daniel Sturridge has been sidelined through injury for two months this season, but Azpilicueta remains mindful of the Anfield fear factor.
“Liverpool are a different team now and are going through a bad patch,” he said. “They no longer have Luis Suarez, who scored a lot of goals for them, or Daniel Sturridge at the moment.
“Suarez was a massive player for them and now they are trying to build another team.
“But Anfield is a very difficult place to play and it’s going to be a tough game.
“We’ve played against Manchester City, Everton and Manchester United – all difficult away games – already this season but Anfield is one of the toughest places to play.”
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