My Struggles With Mental Health
I was planing to pen something all last year, away from my usual Liverpool and Premier League words. It was something I had mentioned to my kickboxing instructor & the gents at Anfield Index. With pre-season only just afoot, I hope this moment can offer something away from the norm, and be accepted (by the readers) for its merits.
In a nutshell, my own past struggles with mental health is something I feel can offer assistance to others. We live …
What If It Is Harvey…
The likelihood that Liverpool sign Jude Bellingham this summer is pretty remote. Players have left, and important regeneration players have come in. This window (and last) must still be deemed successful, and will help reshape the team going forward. If a deal were financially viable, Bellingham would be targeted without doubt. But the fact that Erling Haaland left this summer (for Manchester City), means Borussia Dortmund may stand their ground with Jude.
At the start of last season (some 13 …
The Importance Of Naby Keita
With a year remaining on Naby Keïta’s current Liverpool deal, a decision must now be made on the future of the gifted Guinean. After a somewhat staggered first few years, last season he showed himself to be of the required level that the Reds' midfielders need. Regardless of how you judged him prior to last season, his importance to the side last year cannot be overlooked. Every player has his loyal followers, and unfortunately just as many have the opposite. …
Imagine The Carnage
And just like that, all was well again.
This Liverpool squad is still short of one more player, but a huge sigh of relief can now be breathed, as Mohamed Salah finally signed a new three year contract. The absolute details of that new detail are completely irrelevant to me, as the decision making of the club simply make it a deal that must suit all parties. A small portion of the fanbase became blinkered to the player that Mohamed …
New Kids On The Block
I often try to avoid most pundits nowadays, as I struggle to make sense of the drivel spouted. I do sometimes enjoy the bluntness of Roy Keane and Graeme Souness, and the banter between Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville was initially entertaining. BT Sport is currently employing the worst group of analysts going, and their only contender for poor punditry is those on the BBC. I think Danny Murphy still kicks about talking nonsense, alongside a few others I just …
Julian Ward: A Window Of Uncertainty
I would be surprised if any Liverpool player had ever been labeled as for sale whilst under the watch of Jürgen Klopp. Often times a player likely to leave will be lauded for their importance, just prior to their sale. With a strong start to this summer transfer window, there are now more questions than answers regarding the Reds' business.
Sadio Mané is gone, Divock Origi is gone, and Takumi Minamino has also departed. So far, Darwin Núñez and Fábio …
Raheem, A No Brainer
In this period of Liverpool brilliance, the common notion within the reds fan base is that reinforcements are needed. Nearby rivals Manchester City will continue to be superb, and ways must be unearthed to keep pace. The sports washing (as Dave Hendrick calls it) Etihad team cannot be bullied financially, therefore an exceptional transfer strategy and coaching department has been required. Whereas City remain the more dominant of the two, it means that more outside of the box thinking is …
A Darwin Evolution
This week Darwin Núñez signed as a Liverpool player, in a deal that could eventually reach £85m. The guaranteed outlay is around the £63m mark (£20m upfront), and if the full fee is to be paid to Benfica, then that would be a mark of extreme success by the player. The cost is of course substantial, but then so is the player.
I’ve never really cared who cost this or that, only that the right tools were afforded to our …
Attacking Through the Middle
Throughout nearly the entirety of Liverpool’s recent domestic and European campaign, Jürgen Klopp’s team was faced with the low-block reality presented by opposition sides. I’ve written before about how elite sides such as Liverpool and Manchester City need to adapt their style of play in order to combat the all too common low-block. Weaker sides have mastered this strategy, and I spoke about how it was a challenge for innovative coaches to overcome.
Manchester City drew first blood this summer …
Mentality Monsters
Despite ending the footballing season on a very low note, the celebrated parade at least brought about some solace and joy for both fans and clubmen. The energy and optimism that went into last season was emphatic, and to walk away with the League & FA Cup must be seen as a good return. Disappointment shows just how far along we have traveled under Klopp, and that ride is far from over.
Liverpool now have a decisive summer ahead, with …