“OUR faith is the weapon most feared by our enemies.”
A week ago, approximately 15 minutes after the Premier League fixtures for 2015-16 were announced, my phone beeped away. A former work colleague, who is a Manchester United enthusiast, texted me the bolded line above followed by what seemed an endless supply of HAHAHAHAHAHAs.
In past discussions, I had explained to him that those words, emblazoned on banners in different continents, wonderfully summed up the support of Liverpool FC — a belief so deep, it was a danger for the opposition. His combination of capitalised laughter and emoticons was in reaction to the cloud of defeatism that had been circling for a while, but turned a much darker shade when the first seven away fixtures of the new campaign were announced. Having watched the response to the daunting start unfold on Twitter, there was not much of a defence I could message back. And while I didn’t agree with the depths of the doom, I could understand why despair tinged the air.
When you watch players throw in the towel despite still having a good fight left, a manager that needed 180 pages to note the basics of his football thinking and tinkering run out of ideas, a legend you’ve grown up with going out the door, a gifted 20-year-old desperate to scale the wall and switch allegiances, coupled with that 6-1 fudgery at the hands of Stoke (Six One. Stoke), you’re bound to have to scratch behind the couch or under the kitchen sink to find some sparkle.
Liverpool would need to try to fix things in the transfer window — often the scene for more breakage — and so there needed to be more scrounging around the house, this time for shreds of confidence: look under the carpet, above the fridge. The safe bets got sorted sharpish, but did little to shift the worry. Then the fixture computer spewed out a challenging start, and concerns were compounded. Something, somewhere needed to give. Something, somewhere needed to bring the faith back to the surface.
I suggested Liverpool should buy some belief. Scratch that, I was basically on my knees, pleading for it. Often enough, supporters are a mirror for the club. Show them uncertainty and reluctance, and you’ll get 50 shades of grey skies. A perpetual state of miserableness. If fans sense ambition and intent, they’ll throw on the belief and swim in the swagger. Those clad in scarves aren’t the only ones who need convincing; the playing staff, the backroom team and all other aspects of the organisation need evidence of advancement, to be motivated, to know that golden skies are in the blueprint.
Roberto Firmino. SURPRISE! For you, for me, and not least for the club as this move was not initially part of the plan. At the start of last season, and all through it, several scattered showers warned this would be a relatively quiet, low-key window. A few nip and tucks were expected, but not a major makeover. A certified goalscorer was the priority (and still is), with designs for a right back — an improved bid of £10.5m, which could rise to £12.5m has been submitted for Nathaniel Clyne. I had stated a seismic shift had to occur for a change in approach, and there was very little indication that would happen.
Shift in Firmino. He’s not a nip or tuck. See all the smiles everywhere? That counts as a major makeover. The owners have not been talking, but perhaps they’ve been listening?
Tuesday night may as well have been the eve of everyone’s sweet 16. The anticipation, the exhilaration. Excitement the world over; in part over a fine signing, but predominantly over Liverpool’s actions: settle on an ambitious target, begin talks, sell as much as needed, pay what it takes, and close the deal. Get the business done, decisively. Before the others have a big enough sniff. Before you’re in an arm wrestle you can’t win.
There was still some disbelief and apprehension floating around at midnight, which was again understandable given how many deals have been downed like a tequila shot in recent history. But the official announcement on Wednesday morning, at 6:58, was a Happy fucking Birthday, Merry fucking Christmas and all that cheer rolled into one. Firmino was the football ecstasy pill everyone had been waiting to pop.
@Roberto_Firmino welcome to Liverpool my friend.
Bem-vindo ao meu amigo Liverpool— Daniel Sturridge (@DanielSturridge) June 24, 2015
His signing has doggedly been advertised as separate to Raheem Sterling’s future, but the England international’s potential departure would definitely have been factored into considerations. Even if that is a prime reasoning for the alteration in tactic, it is welcome. Liverpool are on the front foot, ready to pivot, not panicking and putting the ball out of play.
Lessons are being learned. Dithering is not for a club who continuously highlight the Premier League title as its primary focus. Neither are excuses nor retreating. Liverpool cannot afford to pass sideways when those above them are relentlessly pressing forward. Perhaps this signals a realisation that the time for talking is over, especially as actions provide the most volume.
In Firmino, the club have recruited a creator of goals, a scorer of goals, and one that “smells goals” according to Brazil coach Dunga. He has enough confidence to fill Anfield a few times over, but is as shy off the field as the club’s fellow Brazilian playmaker. And like Philippe Coutinho, he complements his flair with a tirelessness. He has an appetite to tackle, to press, to intercept, to dribble, to play the final ball, to put it in the back of the net himself. He is made for Vine and is made of vigour.
The 23-year-old’s stats, flooded all over the internet, are as impressive as his willingness and ability to execute the audacious. Even more endearing though, is his constant pursuit of betterment. One such example: “I want to run more. I run an average of 12km per game, but when you’re walking, you can miss chances to score.” The comments of scouts and former managers all paint a picture of a really good player, who is committed to becoming an even better one. In Firmino’s words: “My own dissatisfaction is my biggest motivation.” Dunga, meanwhile, believes “few see the goal like he can” and given it was near invisible for the Liverpool forwards last season, that will be a celebrated quality.
TAW PLAYER SPECIAL: GERMAN FOOTBALL CORRESPONDENT RAPHAEL HONIGSTEIN ON FIRMINO
While no transfer is guaranteed to succeed, Firmino has already brought back the buzz and that is a victory of sorts in itself. It is often overlooked, but there’s plenty of worth in the ability to galvanise. Liverpool needed something, somewhere and Firmino is the right kind of it. Tell me you don’t feel a difference, and you’ll be lying.
It would not just have been the supporters, technical team and playing staff buoyed by a bold acquisition, I’d like to think Ian Ayre is feeling pretty damn smashing about it all too, as are the owners. That can be addictive and I hope they’re all in search of their next hit, because bravery and balls has to be the norm.
The same game face has to be worn when recruiting elsewhere, but most especially up front. Christian Benteke still seems to be a primary target, but Liverpool are unwilling to meet his release clause and Aston Villa refuse to soften their stance and lower their price. Carlos Bacca has also been linked along with Salomon Rondon, with the former seemingly the perfect blend of fuel and fire that is so admired by the Kop.
While the Firmino deal doesn’t put a band aid over past failures, and while it is far from the answer to all ills, it is a positive statement from Liverpool executed in an encouraging manner. The club have shown they can pitch well, close quickly and pay without asking so many questions that someone else comes in with the answer.
Minimal fuss but maximum fan appreciation, with belief and swagger back in stacks. The weapon of faith has been largely reloaded and the chamber needs to stay stocked.
[rpfc_recent_posts_from_category meta=”true”]
Pics: PA Images
Like The Anfield Wrap on Facebook
Subscribe to TAW Player: https://www.theanfieldwrap.com/player/subscribe
Clyne to follow, that’s very good, too. But I’d only truly get excited if we sign what we really need: a proven striker
If we only go on to sign Clyne, a striker and another attacker I’d be quite happy with our business this window.
Depending on who the striker and attacker is of course.
Surely the perfect conclusion to all this would be getting Clyne; bring in the much-desired goal getter; and have the misled, wall-scaling 20 year-old stay put!
Excellently sums up the feeling of Liverpool fans.
I don’t mean to repeat everything you’ve said, I just want to add my bit, haha, and after all we’re working from the same narrative.
I’ve been pretty down over the last few weeks. I was waking up thinking ‘why do I feel like I’ve got dark clouds following me when I’ve got nothing in life to complain about’. I quickly realised it was down to Liverpool.
After our brilliant season, last season was a real downer but I felt I could see where we’d gone wrong. I was convinced it wouldn’t take much to ‘get it back’. I was convinced the key was this summer. I think, although we were all right to be down on last season and there were issues for the club, we weren’t as far away as some said but only a good summer could rectify it. So, when the summer started and we got our ‘free’s’ sorted, bearing in mind we know roughly how many we would have for each position, it felt like we’d lacked ambition. The owners, the transfer committee and Rodgers all came under scrutiny. Much as Benteke is a good strong player it just felt like the transfer committee had done nothing in terms of scouting. It raised questions about the whole club. My feeling was we were accepting mediocrity.
Then I had the question can we even sign anyone good. Ok, in my own mind, I may have been a bit negative on that but I get my lead from the club. They’d shown me nothing to convince me otherwise. Then the owners. It felt like they were trying to be too smart and it was making us look stupid. Low wages, endless weeks negotiating only to miss out through a combination of stubbornness and incompetence and what seemed like a lack of understanding of how football works.
I felt, at what was the most crucial summer I can remember, our worst fears were being realised and no one was showing any ambition.
But, haha, this one signing has changed all that. All the above points become mute. Even if Firmino doesn’t work out we’ve done all the things I felt we wouldn’t or couldn’t. Don’t get me wrong, I want one more big statement but everything feels good again. When my alarm went off yesterday morning I bounced out of bed and into the shower so I could spend some time, before leaving for work, reading about Firmino. In fact, I got to work then spent the whole day reading things about him. It’s given me such a lift and as stated elsewhere, I’m sure it’s lifted the players, especially little Phil (who I’ve been concerned about, regardless of a new contract). Let’s just get Bacca now and we can all go into those tough games with a real stride in our step. All the club need to do is follow the Anfield Wrap and they’ll get it right. Goals and ambition. It’s not hard to work out. Get Neil as assistant manager / advisor, haha.
Excellent stuff as always Melissa. Finger right on the pulse.
This signing certainly gives a warm feeling but I’m not euphoric….yet.
I’m hopeful that we sign a striker that is at least a 1 goal in 2 games player. Of course Sturridge is that (and more) but he’s looking more and more like a “glass back”. We can’t rely on him and we certainly can’t rely on the 3 stooges (Balotelli, Borini and Lambert……sorry guys!).
If the club acts as decisively on that front then I will start to think things have changed in our transfer dealings. Until then, so far so good, but more is needed.
Best news of the summer. Amazing how a signing like that can lift the spirits; and if it can cheer up a miserable sod like me, what should it do to the rest of the squad? All of a sudden you’re being name-checked by Ronaldinho and all is well with the world. Of course nothing is certain but he looks a perfect fit and a start to bringing back the madness. Who doesn’t want someone who smells of goals? Doesn’t hurt either that he helps get The Best Midfield In The World groove thing going again. Philippe Coutinho, Roberto Firmino, Hendo and ‘er, James Milner. Ok, needs tweaking.
It’s the hope that kills you. Have we fans fallen for the existential con again?
Maybe we’ve chosen it rather than fell for it. I think it’s a straight choice between enjoying supporting Liverpool or choosing to be pessimistic all your life.
As well as smelling of goals he”s also a thiever of balls, apparently. If it’s a con I’m happy to be taken in until January just for the pleasure of that mental image :-)
Na na na nana na na na Robert Firm-in-iho, Firm-in-ho, Robert Firm-in-ho!!!!! To the tune of ‘baby give it up’ by KC and the sunshine band.
While we’re at it; Wild Ings! – de de de de – de de de de de de – You make my heart sing – de de de de – de de de de de de – You make everything – groovy. Wrong player, wrong thread I know… Unsure about Ings btw, could be Fab, could be Borini. Here’s hoping the former. Meanwhile, Firmino and sunshine are going together for me at the moment…
Absolutely love it.
I’m honestly sorry I started reading that. In fact I stopped and just scanned over the rest of it….
Thing is we can try to sign who we want. The elephant in the room is Rodgers.
For me the shroud dropped in the champions league and exposed him for what he is : a charlatan!
Did you stop after this bit:
“OUR faith is the weapon most feared by our enemies.”
You moaning fuckwit
I couldn’t care less about the fixture list. Tbh, it’s probably better to play ‘tougher fixtures’ at the beginning of the season, before they’ve found their form and then have an ‘easier’ run-in, when the pressure is on to deliver results and confirm your final league position.
On Firmino though, he’s a signing that instantly changes the mood at the club and suggests to the fans that maybe we aren’t so content with just settling for challenging Spurs for mediocrity after all. The club doesn’t need to splurge £money on ‘big names’ or ‘marquee signings’ just to prove a point, but spending on the right type of player (talented players at 22-23 years old that look set to hit super-stardom) instantly uplifts everybody associated with LFC. And that is what signing Firmino has just done.
Simple lark, this footie thing, eh!
While we can’t know for certain that the TC has been disbanded, it seems fairly obvious that their mandate has. Closing on six players before the window even opens, three of which are in key positions where we’ve been weak, is a clear sign that things at Melwood have changed for the better.
It’s not just that Firmino is a coup signing, he’s a player who will ably deliver many of the attributes we lost when Suarez left for Barca. He’s relentless, he’s creative, he’s a team player, and, most of all, he LOVES football. No, he’s not the natural goal scorer Suarez is, and he’s probably not the kind of leader from the front the Uruguayan is, either, but Roberto’s intensity and insatiable desire to win will be present even if he’s not immediately producing goals. Those are qualities which will reap rewards in their own right. That’s why this is such a good signing.
But it’s not just Firmino.
The Milner signing is a terrific one, too. He’s a natural leader on AND off the pitch. His enthusiasm for the game is infectious and his quality is almost criminally underrated by many LFC supporters. My suspicion is that if he was signed after Firmino opinions on him wouldn’t be nearly as jaded. Milner is a seasoned pro, incredibly versatile, good at pretty much everything, earns teams points, and makes those around him better.
The (pending) Clyne signing would be another terrific one. While England seem to suffer from a dip in overall quality these days (invest in youth development, FA!) Clyne is a standout on the level of Sterling. He combines positional awareness, recovery, strength, and pace which perfectly suits what BR has been trying to squeeze out of Manquillo, Can, and Johnson. Clyne is Johnson 10 years ago, maybe even slightly better.
Add to this a top defensive prospect in Gomez, a solid third choice in Ings, and an upgrade backup keeper to Jones in Bogdan and you’ve covered nearly every area with the exception of striker that needed filling. I wouldn’t say these three are anything to write home about, but they each in their own way both fit the model and deepen the squad. That’s OUTSTANDING business and something I doubt many of us though FSG/LFC were even capable of just a week ago.
Important shifts are clearly happening in the back offices, and I think it’s going to be a lovely summer!
The Firmino signing seems to be in the Suarez mould (Done the hard miles in a different league & ready to be launched into the next orbit). The thing with Suarez was he made the players around him much better on the field… Was taking up our play to unbelievable levels. I think Firmino and Milner(terrific all-round player waiting to come into his own in centre midfield) will give us what Chelsea got from cesc & Costa.
Welcome you “Thiever of Balls”.
Melissa, you’ve been on fire lately. Another great read.
Now, if we can just sign Lacazette, we don’t even have to bother with actually playing the season. I’ll be in rapture just imagining the possibilities.
But Bacca will have me plenty happy if we don’t let Milan snatch him from our grasp.