By Jamie Redknapp
12:53 AM on 1st May 2010
Professional footballers are bad losers. They want to win at everything they do; it’s in their nature.
Being involved in matches that decide championships is why we get into the game. But players want to be the headline acts, not just have bit-part roles, and that’s what will be troubling Jamie Carragher, Steven Gerrard and Co on Sunday.
I went through it in 1995 when I scored from a late free-kick to beat Blackburn 2-1 at Anfield. I’ve never heard the Kop so quiet after a Liverpool goal, it was eerie. Everybody thought my goal had just handed the title to Manchester United, and it didn’t sit quite right with the fans.
On the pitch, we were fine with it. Our professional pride had kicked in and we wanted to win the game. End of.
My dad was inadvertently involved too because he was in charge of West Ham. Then we heard from Upton Park they had held United to a draw, meaning Blackburn were to be crowned champions.
People asked me if scoring the goal that could have taken the title to Old Trafford bothered us because of the bitter rivalry between Liverpool and United. But we had a little celebration after my goal — John Barnes and Steve McManaman congratulated me.
The only problem we had with the situation was not being the ones with a chance of winning the League.
Back in 1995 our professional pride kicked in and I’m 100 per cent confident it will do for Liverpool — and Sunderland, who play United on Sunday. Judge for yourself — both matches are live on Sky Sports.
Reputations are on the line. Liverpool’s players are playing for their careers. Rafa Benitez’s future is at stake. Liverpool’s outside chance of finishing fourth is the only thing they have left to play for. And don’t forget that Everton could still finish above their Merseyside rivals.
All these things mean that Liverpool must go out and play.
Yes, they will be tired following their Europa League exploits, but playing extra time hasn’t stopped a team getting a result three days later before.
Anyone who knows Jamie Carragher will tell you that he’s the worst loser you will ever meet — he’d hate losing at tiddlywinks! He’ll be the first to jump down a team-mate’s throat if he suspects they’re not trying against Chelsea.The Liverpool players will know that if United claim their 19th title it will be deserved and not because of what happens at lunchtime on Sunday.
People forget about Liverpool’s recent rivalry with Chelsea, too. Memories of those Champions League clashes will have everyone in that home dressing-room fired up.
Liverpool’s players will want to put on a show for their fans after the disappointment of Thursday night and after their poor season. Beating Chelsea and finishing fourth would go some way to making up for that.
I’m proud of what the Premier League stands for — it’s an honest competition. And as for Liverpool being happy to roll over because of the United factor, I don’t buy it.
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