Ancelotti could hinder title pursuit ‘“ Gerrard

Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard believes the appointment of Carlo Ancelotti at Chelsea is a wise one that could see Chelsea pose a bigger threat to the Reds’ title challenge next season.

The Blues’ interim boss Gus Hiddink left the club after their FA Cup Final victory over Everton on Saturday, allowing Italian Ancelotti to leave AC Milan and take the reigns at Stamford Bridge.

“I think it’s a good appointment for Chelsea, I’m not so sure its good one for Liverpool though,” said Gerrard.

Liverpool finished three points ahead of Chelsea in the Premier League this season, beating them both home and away.

With Gerrard predicting a rejuvenated Chelsea, the title dream could be even harder to make reality than first impressions.

“We will have to wait and see. He is a fantastic manager, one of the best in the world,” he continued.

“We played two Champions League finals against him when he was at AC Milan. We won one on a fantastic night in Istanbul but the second time around they beat us and he was spot on tactically in the second game.”

Gerrard also said that he expects Ancelotti to join in the mind games that have been so public recently between Reds boss Rafa Benitez and his counterpart at Old Trafford, Alex Ferguson.

He said, “They are both fantastic managers and it will make the Premier League even more exciting.

“These managers love going head to head against each other to test each other, so I am sure Rafa and Ancelotti are looking forward to testing themselves again.”