FSG: Shape Up or Ship Out
It's happened again... it's happened agai-ai-ain... Tottenham Hotspur, it's happened again!So goes the now famous Arsenal song that was aimed at Spurs fans every season for two decades, when the day arrived each year, and it was confirmed that, yet again, their North London rivals wouldn't finish above them in the Premier League - what became known as St. Totteringham's Day. Clearly, that song was rendered irrelevant the season just gone when Spurs finished some eleven points …
Revisiting & Respecting Rodgers
In light of the treble-winning climax to his first season at Celtic, I’ve recognised the end of the 16/17 campaign to be a suitable time to revisit Brendan Rodgers’ time at Liverpool. In Rodgers’ first full season away from Anfield, he’s managed to secure the Scottish Cup, the Scottish League Cup, and the Scottish Premiership via an unbeaten season. However, the reaction from a significant number of Liverpool fans towards Rodgers’ success has been somewhat bitter, disrespectful and unsupportive, and …
Liverpool Supporters And The Futility of Transfer Hysteria
The summer transfer window is yet to open, however transfer hysteria has already swept in. Liverpool fans have barely had time to rejoice in the fact that Liverpool FC will very likely be in the Champions League group stages next season, as seemingly that was not enough to satiate fans in the short-term, as now apparently is the time for transfers.
Much of the hysteria regarding transfers has developed because of Liverpool's history in relation to transfers, especially in recent years. Fans are …
Liverpool Must Build on Season of Progress
It's been a season of progress at Liverpool Football Club.
Having ended the 2015/16 campaign in a disappointing 8th place, the consensus was that Jurgen Klopp had done a good job at recycling such a limited squad inherited by his predecessor, Brendan Rodgers - leading Liverpool to both the League Cup & Europa League final respectively in the space of seven months.
The real challenge for Klopp was to transform a distinctly unimpressive side into top 4, and possibly, title …
What I've Learned About Liverpool FC This Season
Once again, I’ve found myself schooled in football fandom over the last nine months. Some lessons I’ve been educated in for the first time, others I’ve shamefully realised should have been taken on board many years ago.
That shame stemmed from the age-old occurrence of once again counting my chickens before the eggs were even laid. I got carried away, sucked in by the gathering speed of that train called ‘Momentum’. Yes, at Christmas I allowed myself to believe that …
Positivity Around Anfield: How Do We Cope?
What with the revelations about plans for further expansion of Anfield, the decision to dedicate an entire stand to Kenny Dalglish, the proposed state-of-the-art training facility in Kirkby and a rumoured bumper transfer spend in the summer, one could be forgiven for thinking that things were looking reasonably positive for Liverpool Football Club.
This is a truly novel concept for a lot of supporters, but when you add to the mix the heady combination of a clutch of rivals dropping …
The Gerrard Obsession - Where Banter Goes To Die
There has been a tragic lack of truly iconic figures to have graced the Premier League in recent times. That, at least, is the only logical conclusion one can come to in the face of the overwhelming obsession the fans of so many other clubs have with Liverpool's former captain, Steven Gerrard. From Stoke to Exeter, from Old Trafford to St. Mary's, the supporters of these clubs, quite often when not even playing against the Redmen, will sing their deeply …
Daniel Sturridge: Talent Plagued By Injury
Jurgen Klopp’s one word answer regarding Daniel Sturridge’s fitness after the disappointing 2-1 defeat to Crystal Palace provides the perfect summary of his Liverpool career. Injury stricken, the England international has been side-lined for a staggering 640 days since the 2011/12 season – the 9th worst record in the Premier League. It means he’s missed over 50% of Liverpool’s games since joining 3 and a half years ago.
Making the move over to Merseyside in January 2013, Sturridge represented somewhat …
Firmino Stunner Will Be Liverpool’s Most Important Goal Of 2016/17
Sometimes a goal comes along that feels absolutely pivotal. It fills you with so much warmth that you feel as though you’ll be on a footballing high forever.
Gary McAllister’s last-gasp free-kick at Everton in 2001 is certainly one that springs to mind, while numerous others have been vital in securing Liverpool trophies and top-four finishes.
Come the end of May I may end up looking incredibly foolish, but Roberto Firmino’s wonderful half-volley at Stoke felt as season-defining as McAllister’s, …
How Liverpool Can Cope Without Sadio Mane
Liverpool supporters are currently indulging in the stressful pastime of facing an agonising wait for the results of Sadio Mane's knee scan.
Mane was taken off in the second half of the Merseyside Derby after a collision with Leighton Baines. He left Anfield without crutches - but manager Jurgen Klopp confirmed that he will be ruled out of Wednesday's clash with Bournemouth at home.
This isn't the first time that Liverpool have been made redundant without their star winger. Back in …