ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE:STEVEN GERRARD is unlikely to face censure from the English Football Association for allegedly flicking a V-sign at the referee Andre Marriner during Liverpool's defeat at Wigan Athletic on Monday.
Footage of Gerrard’s reaction to his 82nd minute booking at the DW Stadium appears to show the Liverpool captain gesturing towards the match official and mouthing an obscenity. Marriner, however, is believed to have witnessed the incident at the time and deemed it unworthy of further punishment.
Unless the FA is informed the referee has reconsidered his initial verdict, no charges are expected to be brought against Gerrard, who captained England against Egypt last week in the wake of the John Terry controversy.
The FA is likely to let the matter drop with Liverpool officials, who spoke to the midfielder after the game, adamant Gerrard’s gesture was not offensive or intended for the referee.
Meanwhile, Ryan Babel has admitted Liverpool’s confidence is at such a low ebb they were lacking in self-belief prior to Monday’s defeat.
Liverpool had hauled themselves back into contention for the fourth Champions League qualifying place with a run of only one defeat in 10 league games but their subsequent performance and first ever league defeat against Wigan prompted rare public criticism from the manager Rafael Benitez, who accused his players of having the wrong attitude and showing a lack of character in the first half.
“It is disappointing that we can’t create a kind of confidence with winning games. One defeat seems to spoil all the confidence that we have and then we have to start again,” added Babel.
“We still have hope and faith that we can get fourth place. It will be harder in every game.”
Liverpool travel to France today ahead of the Europa League last-16 first-leg tie against Lille and Babel admits Benitez’s team must produce an immediate reaction to the Wigan defeat.
“We have got an important game tomorrow and we have to be ready for that. We can’t be disappointed too long.”
Meanwhile, Chelsea have opened talks with Nicolas Anelka’s representative over extending the France striker’s stay at Stamford Bridge. The 30-year-old’s current contract expires at the end of next season, with discussions now under way to keep him at the club until 2013.
Anelka’s adviser, Doug Pingisi, was in London last week for preliminary discussions with both club and player confident negotiations will be concluded swiftly.
The Frenchman moved to Chelsea from Bolton Wanderers for €16.5m and has been one of their most consistent performers over the last two campaigns, scoring 19 league goals last season.
His form, which has led to eight league goals to date this term though none since January, has impressed Carlo Ancelotti.
“Anelka is a top player and this club needs to have a lot of top players,” the Italian said recently.
“I’m confident he’ll stay with us. The club will try to find the right solution for both Chelsea and for him.”
The speed at which negotiations are expected to be favourably concluded contrasts markedly with the currently deadlocked talks with Joe Cole.
The England midfielder, an unused substitute in Sunday’s 2-0 FA Cup quarter-final win over Stoke City, is seeking to increase his wages from €88,000 a week to nearer those of the higher earners at the west London club.
Both Chelsea and Cole – who was absent for seven months up to September after suffering a serious knee injury – remain hopeful that a deal can still be struck that will extend the player’s seven-year stay beyond the end of the season.
Ashley Cole is expected to return to Cobham after the weekend after a spell undertaking rehabilitation on his fractured ankle in the south of France.
