IT feels strange to view a derby as a sideshow. At least it’s tempting to fall into this trap.
Big Sam will say to his blue boys: “Their heads are elsewhere. Their legs are heavy, their hearts are lost in Europe”. Jürgen Klopp, though, will be taking faces in both his hands, forcing eyes to meet his and imploring “focus”.
We haven’t come this far without having powers of concentration. Resources are stretched right now but our journey is nearing its end. Whatever transpires, this has been a good season. It is important that we acknowledge this to ourselves.
There’s a focus in sport and within the context of seasons on grand finales. Of course they are important. But they’re not everything. It’s often better to travel than arrive. Growing up a Red, I saw Liverpool win the league loads. They were fantastic seasons, amazing, joyous experiences. But the best bits were rarely at the conclusion. Manchester City fans will know this from their experience of the current campaign.
Their “moments” will have been in beating us back in the autumn, taking Chelsea to task twice, dispatching Tottenham effortlessly, all those last-minute winners. Those days when they just knew that the gods were with them, that they had the wind behind them, the quality and the momentum to become champions.
There’s a Liverpool generation or two that haven’t experienced winning the league. At least they think they haven’t. Kids, let me enlighten you; you did, more or less, in 2013-14. Yes, the books will show that we fell at the final hurdle, and that that is everything. But the race we ran was not a dash, it wasn’t even a marathon. It was a trek, an epic journey. For 97 per cent of it, we were on course. We were happy. More fulfilled than we’d ever been. What you experienced was the vast majority of what it feels like to win a mighty trophy.
Life itself doesn’t end well either, but we can still live it.
This season hasn’t quite been 2013-14 in the league. We aren’t on course for 86 points. But we might get 80. We’ve managed this while simultaneously making Europe sit up and pay us attention for the first time in a decade. If you haven’t enjoyed this season’s journey then you’re in the wrong business.
If I close my eyes all I can see is wins by sevens and fives and fours and threes. Over and over again. I can see Mohamed Salah slaloming and scoring. There’s Roberto Firmino, dinking ‘keepers, baring his gleeful teeth, dancing with Sadio Mane.
It’s been mainly, a joy to behold.
But there’s still stuff to do. I usually dread derbies, but I’m taking this one as a rare treat. A free hit? In a way, it very much is. The lead we have built over Chelsea entitles us to breathe that bit easier. Everton could beat us at Goodison for the first time in a while, but no Reds will cry if it happens.
When/if they win, Blues will return to Earth and their reality much faster than they’d like to. They are having a desperate season. Not their default, flattering to deceive but ultimately mediocre one. No, this campaign has been near as bad as it gets for them.
God knows it hasn’t turned out this way for want of trying. All that sweat and excitement in the summer over the collecting of new footballers. The lads piling through the turnstile, smiling with new blue kits on in press conferences. Anyone remember their names? I doubt the departed/sacked Ronald Koeman does.
Truth is, they can’t hurt us now. Manchester City might hurt us. Maybe even Tottenham or Chelsea. Everton matter only in that they can aid the cause of these latter two.
Sure, we want to win this derby. It would be a blast to mark our territory on their territory. Mostly though, beating them, would take us another step towards securing requalification for next season’s Champions League. If we take messages from every season, then the lesson of 2017-18 is about how we define ourselves by the European Cup.
This weekend Klopp will try to strike a very precarious balance between keeping his team on track towards ensuring participation in another Champions League campaign in 2018-19 and giving his blossoming side every chance to write a remarkable new and exciting chapter in the club’s history. The second leg against Manchester City is season, maybe era, defining. There is no playing its importance down.
Klopp must and will use his squad to its — now limited — fullest. A fully fit Emre Can would be a big bonus, but he will probably be given every opportunity to make it for the Etihad game instead. Jordan Henderson will miss that one through suspension so will undoubtedly start at Goodison.
Salah’s incredible body finally caught up with itself at Anfield on Wednesday night. Expect him to be held back from starting against Everton, at the very least.
Klopp has reinforcements available at full back if required. Nathaniel Clyne will be telling his boss that he’s finally ready after a nightmare injury hit season. Alberto Moreno might also expect to be given a deserved chance.
It seems likely, that one way or another we will see a patched up version of this Liverpool side take on The Blues this Saturday. Patched up but brimming with confidence and bursting with pride. Both useful derby additions.
This week mark’s the 50th anniversary of the assassination of Martin Luther King. In his (unwitting) final speech he talked of a journey towards the “promised land”. “I may not get there with you…” he presciently noted, but get there, his people would. Yeah, I’m invoking MLK, on the eve of a derby.
We have travelled this season, we may yet not arrive, but we will get there.
Predicted 11: Karius; Clyne, Lovren, van Dijk, Moreno; Henderson, Milner, Oxlade-Chamberlain; Salah, Firmino, Mane.
Kick off: Saturday, 12.30pm (Live on Sky Sports)
Referee: Michael Oliver
Odds: Everton 10-3, Draw 14-5, Liverpool 22-23
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“Truth is, they can’t hurt us now.”
Rob they can hurt us, by injuring our players. Remember what happened to Mane and Origi? Murphy’s law when it comes to playing Everton in the crucial run-up.
I think we need to win to keep the momentum, and hope United beat or at least lay a good one on City. Pep might most likely go all out against United since they have the title to decide there, but they can also defer to the next league game.
But Pep has a string of top drawer players and at home he will definitely have a different looking City prepared for Klopp’s side next week. Reds will need rest to go against an all out attack by City. They need 4 goals, and with Aguero most likely returning they are definitely looking to take the game to us.
We don’t have anything to play for against Everton, and they know it just as well. So why risk Salah, Firmino or Mane, or even Can or Ox?
My thoughts would be to rest as many as possible, and have Woodburn with the pairing of Ings & Solanke up top. Otherwise why the fuck are these guys in the squad? No faith in their abilities?
This weekend will somewhat decide the fate of the two clubs on the basis of the manager’s choices.
Wow, what a dilemma and drama that will ensue next week then, but I think we can do this!
Come on you Reds!
Sadio injured himself against Everton last season. No Everton player was involved when he twisted his knee.
Smashed divock the previous season too
Lads been wrecked since
@ Titus_Red Doesn’t matter if he injured himself or someone else did it, I wouldn’t risk playing our key players in this game.
We have other players who can do the job or do you not have faith in these players’ abilities?
@Titus_Red Realized this was the game I recalled. You might have some other game in mind.
Watch the highlights from the match on 01/07/2017 against Everton, and you will see Baines do the job on him, including the follow through step on his ankle as Sadio’s knee contorted.
Sadio had to leave the game soon after.
It was Leighton Baines that was tackling Mane last season when he knackered his knee. Wasn’t intentional like Funes Mori on Origi but there was definitely an Everton player involved
Predicted 11 a bit contradictory to the article, in terms of salah and can/henderson
Your lineup is a very good shout, Rob.
But imo, Hendo will play instead of Emre (who still hasnt participated in normal training), also Hendo booked the 2nd leg and therefore cant feature. I am also pretty sure Klopp wont risk Salah and rest him for the 2nd leg.
So one of Ings or Solanke will feature (possibly Solanke).
I want the 3 points at Goodison. It’s what top teams are able to do when they challenge on several front at the business end of the season. They dont do free hits. Regardless how the match goes on Saturday, City are capable of knocking us out, even against our strongest XI. And then it would become two heavy defeats in the space of 4 days.
We are striving to be a top team and still have the ambition to finish 2nd in the League. We need to keep this winning momentum going. Injuries can always occur. Cant account for that.
Great read Rob,
Love the analogy of “bing more about the journey than the destination” – couldn’t agree more. Life’s about savouring the moment so let’s just enjoy this ride while can.
YNWA
As soon as the City game finished I started picking my team against Everton. We dont need the win and even with City 2nd leg in good shape it seems unnecessary to run the risk of injury with 3 big games in a week. We have bigger fish to fry.
Karius, Clyne, Klavan, Lovern*, Moreno, Henderson, Can*, Woodburn, Ings, Solanke, Brewester
* 45 mins only. VvD and Wijnaldum to replace.
Still reckon we get the win.
Brewster (get his name right) is injured and has never even trained with the first team. Do you follow Liverpool?
I missed the news on the second Op last month. I find it hard to believe that he has “never” trained with the first team squad when he is in the Premiership squad. Seems a needless place to give away if for no reason.
https://www.premierleague.com/clubs/10/Liverpool/squad
Is Ward fit again and can be play upfront?
Mignolet, Moreno, Ings, Grujic, Solanke, Brewster, Woodburn. > i think Ben is injured and Marko on loan, but I would be even more cautious..
GK ( WARD? ) Clyne, Klavan (if fit) more NO, Wijn, Hendo, Ings , Solanke, Can (if fit) and the rest from the under 23s,, tell them this is their chance to make the grade,,, choose scousers if possible…and maybe get a point…because , the citeh away game MUST NOT be risked and I really dont think any of the key players should be required to play 3 huge games or risk inury, inside a week.. the game is too important , and Klopp needs to be brave and risk moans & groans.. Lfc have start thinking like champions again… n, and this is the only chance of a trophy this requires balls from Juergen and then on tuesday balls from the selected players , because citeh will go at Lfc from minute 1…
I hope Klopp doesn’t start with a line-up as strong as that. I’d be happy for him to play the U23 squad (I realise he can’t). If we lose, who cares? If we win, it’d be hilarious. Let’s play Masterson and rest van Dijk. Give Ings and Solanke a go up front. Let’s NOT play Salah!
“Life itself doesn’t end well either, but we can still live it.”
What an awesome bit of writing, loved the whole piece!
Hahaha every one going bananas relax guys same like before last Wednesday Klopp knows !!!