The Liverpool manager is not concerned his captain will dwell on the mistake that gifted Demba Ba a vital goal at Anfield and denies it was the defining moment of their season

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers is confident Steven Gerrard has the mental resolve to put his Premier League title heartache behind him.

Gerrard came within touching distance of winning the English championship for the first time in 2013-14 with the club he has made over 600 appearances for.  

Rodgers’ men were in the driving seat until a 2-0 defeat against Chelsea last month – a game in which Gerrard’s slip gifted Demba Ba the opening goal at Anfield – handed the initiative back to Manchester City, who were crowned champions last Sunday.

The Liverpool captain’s mistake has resulted in taunts from rival fans but Rodgers is not worried the 33-year-old will dwell for too long on his moment of misfortune.

“I’ve no concerns whatsoever about Steven,” Rodgers told reporters. “I think Steven will go away and when he reflects on what has been personally a brilliant season of football, he has been very unfairly pointed out in terms of his slip.

“It could have happened in the third game, it could have happened in the fourth game, but it certainly wasn’t anywhere near the defining moment of our season. That wasn’t what cost us the league.

“He is a very conscientious boy and he loves Liverpool. He is very hard on himself and he’s his own worst critic but he comes away recognising that he has been involved in a real title run-in and next season he will be better for it.”