• Champions League

Liverpool's Gerrard defends Chelsea players' behaviour

ESPN staff
March 12, 2015
Ibrahimovic: Chelsea behaved like babies

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has defended Chelsea's players after they were accused of acting like "babies" by Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

The Paris Saint-Germain striker made the claim over the incident that led to his red card during Wednesday's Champions League last-16 second-leg match at Stamford Bridge.

Ibrahimovic was sent off for a 31st-minute challenge on Oscar as Chelsea's players surrounded referee Bjorn Kuipers to complain.

"I think it's normal when you play games at that level," said Gerrard. "Players want to win so much, and you've got managers who want to win so much.

"Players will try every trick in the book to try to get over the line and win football matches. Sometimes it doesn't look nice, but we've all been guilty of it throughout our careers - not always abiding by the rules. Football's not always going to look nice."

Despite Ibrahimovic's red card, PSG drew 2-2 after extra-time to go through on the away goals rule, with the first leg in France having ended 1-1.

Gerrard is also adamant that the criticism of Chelsea's behaviour will not damage manager Jose Mourinho's reputation.

He added: "I don't think he'll be interested in whether it tarnishes his legacy. He's a winner. He's won many, many trophies.

"I think every single player has respect for him as a manager. He's going to win many more titles as he goes along, and will probably go down as one of the best managers of all time.

"I'm in no position to criticise or have a go at him. He does it his way. I respect that."

Nine Chelsea players appealed to referee Bjorn Kuipers following a tackle on Oscar by Zlatan Ibrahimovic © Getty Images
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