Steven Gerrard sticks the boot in after Eberechi Eze's 'nonsense' UCL final penalty
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Liverpool FC NewsFeaturesSteven GerrardArsenal were beaten on penalties by PSG in the Champions League final, with Steven Gerrard criticising Eberechi Eze's stuttered run-up as 'nonsense' after the Gunners suffered shootout heartbreakSteven Gerrard slammed Eberechi Eze for his penalty miss(Image: TNT Sports)Steven Gerrard criticized Eberechi Eze for his 'nonsense' penalty miss as Arsenal endured shootout heartache against PSG in the Champions League final.The Gunners' aspirations of finally claiming a European trophy were crushed for another year as Eze struck the ball wide and Gabriel fired over the crossbar from 12 yards during the penalty shootout, after neither 90 minutes nor extra time could divide the two sides.Mikel Arteta's team seized the lead against the reigning European champions when Kai Havertz raced through on goal and slotted the ball into the roof of the net with an excellent finish just minutes into the encounter.Arteta's approach restricted PSG throughout, but the French giants eventually equalised when Khvicha Kvaratskhelia was brought down in the box by Cristhian Mosquera.Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembele calmly stepped up from the spot to send David Raya the wrong way and level the score. The match subsequently became more open, but weary legs on both sides couldn't produce the quality required to find a decisive winner.Viktor Gyokeres converted Arsenal's opening effort from the spot as the Gunners were obliged to take their penalties in front of the PSG end, going second in the sequence.However, Eze wasted the chance to maintain Arsenal's flawless record, sending the ball wide of the post after his stuttered run-up, despite Matvey Safonov diving the wrong way.Eberechi Eze reacts after missing a penalty vs PSG in the Champions League finalThe England international's hesitant run-up drew sharp criticism from Gerrard, who remarked on TNT Sports: "Penalties are hard enough."Think about the magnitude of the game, the stadium, the atmosphere, it's hard enough without any of that nonsense.
Put your foot through it, back your technique." Gerrard did, however, subsequently acknowledge his respect for anyone willing to step up in such pressure-laden moments, describing it as a 'brave' act.Raya swiftly came to his teammate's aid by denying Nuno Mendes from the spot, but Gabriel sent the crucial final penalty sailing over the crossbar, handing PSG the silverware.Looking back on the loss, ex-Arsenal favourite Jack Wilshere commented: "It will take a while to get over, but I'm pretty sure it's not going to take another 20 years to get to another final with Mikel in charge."I fancied us [Arsenal] for penalties but it's a hard one to take."Choose Liverpool.com as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.Steven GerrardArsenal FCChampions League