Anfield was beautifully sunlit, the Kop roared generously, and Steven Gerrard stood before them to applaud. And yet . . . and yet . . . his expression, his body language, was monochrome where not so long ago the red was so radiant. He seemed to be wondering what else might have been.
Lost in thought, perhaps: the struggle to come to terms with the painful final chapters of the 2013/'14 season appears not to be over. He looked as if his candle had been extinguished, his energy and enthusiasm zapped. For so many enthralling weeks he was a symbol of Liverpool's title challenge. It cannot be easy to now embody the moment it faltered.
Defining moment
Brendan Rodgers had made a good stab at a case for the defining moment of this campaign not to be that infamous stumble against Chelsea. The Liverpool manager tried to argue that an offside call against Raheem Sterling at the Etihad on St Stephen's Day was somehow more pivotal.
But it was obvious early on, as Newcastle’s band of visitors began that chant about Gerrard and his slip presenting the ball to Demba Ba, that the image will be remembered as the catalyst in this remarkable season’s twisting folklore. By all accounts it provided the soundtrack to the final day, as that Gerrard song peppered the atmosphere at the Etihad, and the refrain echoed from supporters of Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal.
There was only one way for the Liverpool faithful to respond, and that was by putting a metaphorical arm around his shoulder, enveloping their man in support. They drowned out Newcastle jibes with ear-splitting odes to their number eight.
Out there on the pitch in front of them, Gerrard went about his game quietly. There were no captain’s gestures, there was no verbal encouragement. He looked shattered. Liverpool were generally weary as Newcastle took a surprise lead.
The kind of belief and high-energy style Rodgers had urged from his players in order to try and put pressure on Manchester City proved too difficult to summon. The shock of those three late goals conceded at Selhurst Park seemed to remain in their system, making legs heavy and passes sloppy.
News floated across the airstream that Manchester City were ahead. The inevitable was confirmed, and once Philippe Coutinho emerged from the substitutes’ bench to add panache, and Sterling discovered some zip, Liverpool were able to unblock themselves enough to finish the season with a victory.
Gerrard was involved in both of his side’s goals, the arch provider able to affect the game from a standing start. He stood over the set pieces. There were stung palms on the Kop in front of him, lavishing applause. The reaction was all about respect and recognition for their captain. His deliveries were textbook – hallmark balls whipped in with precision, pace and tantalising bend. But what was most revealing about the man and his state of mind was that Gerrard struggled to celebrate.
After both Daniel Agger's equaliser and Daniel Sturridge's winner, he merely turned and began walking back, head bowed, low key, to the centre circle. His team-mates came to slap hands with him. He obliged, but there were was no overt euphoria.
'Absolutely devastated'
"We're absolutely devastated," Gerrard said, trying to find words for this situation. "I am gutted for the fans."
The strangeness of the affair was encapsulated after the final whistle, when the PA announcer, with an apologetic tone, broadcast the final score from the Etihad. The Newcastle contingent proceeded to cheer for the hell of it.
Gerrard remains adamant that he will return next season for another shot at the elusive Premier League prize. “I can certainly play at this level for another year,” he said. “I feel strong.”
In reality he must now prepare himself for another spell in the spotlight when he captains England in Brazil.
Guardian service
