Anfield Road: Ambition & Angst
When Fenway Sports Group took over Liverpool Football Club in 2010 the team played in front of 45,276 at full capacity. The club were in dire straits at the time, narrowly avoiding administration. The incredible success we take for granted now was inconceivable in those dark days. The future of Anfield was unclear. The new owners very well could have made the decision to build a new stadium in Stanley Park or away from Anfield completely. The hurdles the club …
Four Years Of Jürgen Klopp - Part 1 Belief & Unity
Next week will mark four years since Jürgen Klopp took charge at Anfield and began the process of transforming the Reds from Premier League also-rans into one of the dominant teams in world football.
Over the next few days I’ll be reminiscing about some of the crucial games and moments that have stood out along that incredible journey. We begin with this:
Liverpool 2-2 West Bromwich Albion - 13 December 2015
Liverpool XI: Mignolet, Clyne, Lovren, Skrtel, Moreno, Henderson, Can, …
Trademark Liverpool
I don’t know what the big problem is.
“We are Liverpool, tra la la la la,” easily changes to, “We are Liverpool, all rights reserved, we’re the best football team in the land.”
Adam Lallana won’t have much to do this season. Imagine the pride he would take in slapping TM’s on every road sign leading into the city.
Yes, it’s been a while since we’ve had an off-pitch controversy, and when I say, a while, I mean several days.
…
Try wipe the smile from my face
Grinning at the wall as I stand at a urinal. It’s the litmus test for happiness - male happiness, at least.
Not only was I trying to engage the lavatorial tilework in a joyous staring contest, but I was also making eye-contact with other men in this den of iniquity - trying to engage them in conversation about a football match. That’s unheard of, in my life, at least. It’s normally a case of getting in, doing what I’ve got …
Positive Thoughts & Taiwo Awoniyi | Reflecting on Liverpool’s Transfer Nous
In the midst of trying to wrap up an abysmal Bundesliga campaign, reports from German sports outlet Spox indicate that Schalke 04 have lodged preliminary interest with Liverpool in bringing youth forward Taiwo Awoniyi into their ranks over the summer.
But this article, while dancing around the topic, concerns something broader than that simple fact.
Moving on
During a week of roller coaster emotions, it’s time for something lighter. Although this will require a bit of a dreary look into …
Liverpool's Long-Term Planning
Football teams can enjoy success in one of two ways: an immediate gain via trophies that eventually peter out into a transitional phase where the club must effectively ‘go again’ or a long-term vision, a five-year plan of progression towards consistent triumph.
In the past, Liverpool would fall under the first category, showing plenty of quality in individual seasons such as 2013/14. As good as Brendan Rodgers’ side were that year, benefitting from the electric attacking combination of Luis Suarez …
Midfield Reinforcements For Liverpool: Pre-contract Targets To Add Creativity
Liverpool's midfield benefitted from £100m in investment over the summer with the surprise signing of Monaco's Fabinho, and the arrival of Naby Keita - signed from RBL last summer. However, with the injury to Oxlade-Chamberlain, we've still had to suffer through games with Gini Wijnaldum, James Milner and Jordan Henderson in the engine room.
As we've seen in recent games, the three from last season's team are able to provide a solid midfield to counter teams like PSG and Man …
Buoyed by Optimism - Liverpool's Season Ahead
It’s a weird feeling not really knowing how to manage your expectations as a Liverpool fan. I’m 38 - a seasoned pro at this. However, never in my experience of supporting The Reds can I remember a feeling of such enthusiasm surrounding the club.
Not Then, Not Ever
Even after Rafa’s fantastic 08/09 team came within touching distance of the title there was still the unmissable grey Hicks & Gillett cloud hanging over Anfield. We knew Benitez had almost achieved …
Can Klopp finally land the League Title?
Prior to the World Cup, Liverpool could conceivably have delivered the most spectacular summer for many a decade (in midfield alone). The midfield roster was oh-so-close to being Fabinho, Keita and Fekir. An upgrade of epic proportions and the kind of statement of intent that has been rare in the Anfield Premier League era.
Midfield moves
If we measure our title aspirations against our most serious rivals moving forward, Man City, then the midfield upgrades are clear. The respective quality …
Why Christian Pulisic would be Liverpool's Ultimate Investment
With football’s ever-growing obsession with the word “potential”, it’s not often one gets to make statements of absolution. Indeed, football is obsessed with making resolute, consummate statements within a game that is transient and is cursed with never really knowing what is real and what is just, essentially, an educated guess.
Football clubs have the power of analysis, of an endless stream of statistics and opinions from those most qualified to make decisions, and yet no decision ever made could …