Steven Gerrard has risked the wrath of the Association after he questioned the performance of referee Jon Moss following ’s defeat against Liverpool last night.
Villa appeared set to hammer the final nail into Liverpool’s Premier League title challenge when they took an early lead through Douglas Luiz, but ’s side hit back immediately with a scruffy Joel Matip goal and ultimately claimed a vital three points thanks to ’s 65th minute header.
Liverpool were indebted to goalkeeper Alisson Becker for making several important saves which helped the Reds draw level on points with Manchester City at the top of the table, albeit having played a game more, ahead of the champions’ game against Wolves this evening.
Despite his side’s own highly-creditable display, Gerrard’s frustration at another defeat, a fifth in the last eight games, was evident in his post-match press conference.
Referee Moss, 51, was the subject of the former Liverpool captain’s ire after a number of highly contentious decisions went against his team and Gerrard could be in hot water after he admitted he was happy the experienced official was due to retire at the end of the season.
Initially asked for his response to the abuse Moss was subjected to by Villa fans, Gerrard said: : ‘No comment, I just hope that it’s looked at. That’s all I’ll say. I just hope it’s looked at. I hope, I hope it’s looked at.’
Pressed on what he specifically wanted the authorities to look at, Gerrard snapped: ‘Well you’ve just asked me a question so you obviously think it, don’t you?
When it was put to Gerrard that the initial question was merely a reference to the reaction of the crowd to Moss’s decision making, Gerrard said: ‘Well I’ve answered your question. I just hope Jon’s performance is looked at.
‘Listen, I don’t want to get into trouble. I don’t want to be sour. We’ve lost the game. Liverpool have scored two goals against us and we need to look at that.
‘I don’t want to cover over any cracks but, you asked me a question, and I said I hope the referee’s performance is looked at.’
Finally, Gerrard was alerted to the fact that Moss is set to step down at the end of may and the 41-year-old issued a cutting response, saying: ‘Is he? Good!’
, .
, and .
