Chelsea’s surprising 1:3 loss at Wigan resulted in a fundamental reshuffle of the FTBL World Ranking of midfielders, as well as the European Top 23, with Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard rising to the top of the ranking of European midfielders with a tally of 183.13 points.

Gerrard was unable to substantially add to his overall FTBL rating despite the Reds’ 6:1 demolition of Hull City on Saturday in the English Premier League, but he was helped by the fact that the previous leader, Chelsea’s Frank Lampard, dropped 18 rating points at Wigan to see his overall rating shrink to 176.01 points.

The two will have to “defend” approximately 36 rating points in their next appearances for England’s recent 5:1 win over Croatia in World Cup qualifying. Gerrard, therefore, has a good chance of retaining his 6-point lead.