https://youtu.be/w1oZFUD7XJY?t=1m36s
As Steven Gerrard's Premier League career comes to a conclusion, do you really buy that one of the things he craved was a standing ovation at Stamford Bridge? Brendan Rodgers seemed to think so, or at least that's the reason he offered for substituting his captain with around ten minutes remaining between Chelsea and Liverpool.
Asked by Sky Sports what was the thinking behind the substitution, Rodgers has this to say.
Just purely as I said, Stevie's worked brilliantly and it was more just to give him the acclaim of his last time playing here at Stamford Bridge and it was a great reception by the Chelsea supporters to him. He was outstanding, got his goal and a real general to the team he's been.
The Chelsea supporters, obviously he's been a thorn in their side over many, many years purely because he's got star quality. He's been a top player. But I think they recognised today the end of an era of a guy who's a real special player and it was a nice send off to give him.
Gerrard had been taking abuse from Chelsea fans throughout the game and when asked about the ovation he appeared indifferent and actually had a little dig at the home supporters.
