Despite some triumphs in European competitions and domestic cup runs, Liverpool experienced a prolonged period without a league title, stretching across two and a half decades by the mid-2010s.
During the 2013/14 season, it seemed as though Brendan Rodgers might be the manager to break that drought, with a sequence of 16 consecutive wins after Christmas propelling them to the top spot in the Premier League standings.
Liverpool boasted a formidable attacking duo of Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge, supported by a midfield featuring Steven Gerrard, Raheem Sterling, Jordan Henderson, and Philippe Coutinho. Martin Skrtel anchored the defense that year, and he holds the belief that it was a truly exceptional team.
Martin Skrtel on Liverpool’s 2013-14 ups and downs
“Everything just clicked perfectly,” Skrtel tells FourFourTwo. “From the start of 2014 onwards, we were on a winning streak, playing some great football. Everything felt fantastic until that match against Chelsea.”
The encounter with Chelsea, which brought an end to an 11-game winning run as the Blues secured a 2-0 victory at Anfield, dramatically altered the title race and has since become a notorious moment in Liverpool’s history, largely due to Gerrard’s unfortunate slip.
“That particular moment still stings, especially since it ultimately cost us the championship,” Skrtel acknowledges. “It was an even greater disappointment for Stevie. As a legendary figure for the club, experiencing such misfortune was tough for all of us to witness and feel.
“The title was within our grasp, but we had to come to terms with the final outcome. That’s just the nature of football. At times, it brings immense joy, but it can also be incredibly cruel. The reality is, you can never predict what will unfold in English football. The unwavering, never-give-up spirit is widely celebrated.
“However, the standard of our performances in the spring of 2014, and the dominance we displayed, were truly remarkable. Following our 3-2 victory against Manchester City at home, we started to genuinely believe that it could finally be our moment. I wouldn’t say we were completely assured of it, but our belief was definitely growing.
“Regrettably, that defeat against Chelsea threw us off course. Looking back, there might have been different approaches we could have taken in that game, but it’s now in the past. It’s not a pleasant memory to revisit.”
With Rodgers at the helm, Liverpool had a strong character leading the team. Does Skrtel recall the manager’s words at half-time, particularly after Gerrard’s slip allowed Demba Ba to score the opening goal for the Blues just before the interval?
“Not precisely, but we offered each other encouragement in the dressing room. There was still a half to play, and we were confident we could overcome the one-goal deficit. Unfortunately, that day, things just didn’t unfold as we had hoped.”
