WE all realise we live in a world gone mad.
That much can be taken as wrote. Football went looney some time in the 1990s. Let’s not try and name the date. There was a time when people just went to football matches. Like it was the most natural thing in the world to do.
I recall looking at a crumpled fiver, some point in my teens, and thinking, ‘I know, I’ll go the game’. Like you go the cinema, or the boozer. Let’s be clear. We’re talking the 80s here. I was young and a fiver was still not a great deal of money.
Then the men came. With their big ideas. They didn’t used to like the beautiful game. It was proletarian, smelly and prone to kick offs. Even putting it on the telly carried risks.
How can we forget those moments when a Coleman or a Motson had to inform us that they couldn’t show us the violence going on just off camera, but assured that it was very real, and also, frankly, not on.
We were saved from worst of the British disease — the hooliganism — and so in time was our national sport.
In the 80s we talked of a utopia. The one they seemed to have endured in post-war USA. Sports events that families went to. Being served hot dogs at their seats and slapping backs with opposition fans. Jumbotrons. Nacho hats. Not a care in the world.
Meanwhile, we were kicking each others heads in.
Anfield, February 2016. We are pissed off. The utopia arrrived and it had most of the foreseen merits. Nobody was getting hurt. The food had got better. But it cost a fortune. So much so, that a huge slice of those who used to go to football matches could no longer afford to do so. For the remainder, the financial burden was ebbing towards a breaking point.
Jesus, this is getting tough. Nobody told us they’d be days like these. When Jürgen Klopp rocked up he made us feel safe. Like we’d never need to be afraid again. He enveloped us is in his vast warm Jürgen-ness. It felt like we’d come home.
Now though is a horrible time and it feels like it’s getting worse. Injuries, inconsistency and now fans and club itself at loggerheads. Klopp is getting fast-tracked here. It usually takes us a good three years to break our managers.
Kloppo is going to need to be more Kloppo than he’s ever been before.
Sunderland in the league with 14 league games to go. And we’re barely arsed. When do we give up then? Is this that moment? February 6. Best part of four months worth of league football left. It can’t have come to this.
Me, I can always get myself in the mood. Football is habit and I am its creature. I can get up for a match day plagued with issues. Anfield always calms me down. It always comes down to its green baize, red seats and red men. Always transfixes me.
Sunderland won’t be very interested in yet another LFC existensional crisis. They’ve got a league to stay in. Hopefully our boys will dig deeper than I can and find a reason to win. Trying to pick a side for today is vain folly. Let’s have a go.
Rotation will be the watch word given Leicester just passed, and West Ham is on the horizon. If we close our eyes we could be in 2008 or 2009 and wrestling between Champions League and title-chasing selections. We snap to and realise that we’re actually debating the merits of getting to the fifth round of the FA Cup or trying to finish sixth.
Klopp’s measured approach will most likely be to switch out four or five from Tuesday with the same trick in mind for next week.
Christian Benteke and Jordon Ibe could well come in as starters then. Joe Allen surely too, unless a slight injury prevents his selection.
There is no case for testing Jordan Henderson’s injury again. At the back Mamadou Sakho isn’t playing well and is ever one game from a fresh injury.
Giving Steven Caulker a league debut might be a good idea.
We go again. We’ll always go again. Only until 77 minutes though today, boys. We asked the men nicely. We won’t ask again. Up the Reds. Let’s get it won.
Predicted team: Mignolet; Clyne, Caulker, Lovren, Moreno; Allen, Can, Milner; Lallana, Ibe, Benteke.
Let’s walk out at 77 and show our fucking lame excuse for owners that we ain’t paying “top dollar” for lower half shite footy.
FSG need to sell up.
Bring back terraces. Make them safe. Get the fans in there that make Anfield what it is, a great atmosphere. The Spion Kop terrace will sell the Anfield mythology, get more fans in the grounds, get ticket pricing lower (for that area) and still allow other seats to compete for pricing in a global level.
Well that protest worked out well for the players…
That aside, doesn’t really ‘show the owners’ that supporters believe the ticket costs to be too high when they still buy the tickets and leave a couple of minutes earlier than they normally would.
A stronger form of protest would be refusing to pay the prices in the first place, same with away games. Refuse to pay the prices demanded by any clubs, refuse to be a part of the machine. A protest based upon the concept “I’m going to do pay their prices but just watch the product for a slightly shorter time’ is not exactly the type of campaign to force change.
It is commendable that people protest those things that they disagree with but it needs to be in a more effective manner; refusing to pay, protesting outside the ground and contacting sponsors en masse to confirm that this will continue until change is made.
You idiots. You’ve been pissing and moaning for months about our grit and graft to win. Sunderland came with a plan to just sit back and let us shoot ourselves in the foot(I think possession in the first half was 80/20). We fight and fight and EARN two goals and Anfield is once again in full voice, the feel good factor is high and we just might punch in a third. Then the 77th minute happens. It’s hard to imagine that not having an adverse effect on the players. If you have a problem with ticket prices for next season then there is no better message to send than NOT BUYING THEM. You don’t walk out on the team you bleed for. ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’? Yeah right. LFC lost more than two points today.
The 77th minute walkout may have had an effect, but then I would hope that professional footballers would be able to be fully concentrated on the job in hand and beat a team even more woeful than us.
I suspect the real reason for conceding two late goals was the useless keeper who simply isn’t good enough and epitomizes our current player and manager recruitment policy.
Then what’s the fucking point of praising the support as the 12th man?
Seems it only counts when it suits your argument
Let me clear up what I’ve written and what it meant . The walkout in the 77th minute may have had an effect (on the players conceding two goals in the last eight or so minutes).
I sincerely hope the walkout had an effect on Ayre etc. Modern football is fucked.
The walk out today was far more important than a result against relegation fodder at home.The season that was written off the day the window closed.
Are you going to blame the supporters over the owners for the first half too?
Or the other shite performances from an under invested squad that put us behind Everton
No wonder Klopp threw a Sickie.
Are you a Red Sox fan by any chance?
Let’s hope the protests make FSG realise they should sell up and go.
I think you’ve misunderstood me, I agree that today’s result was a second to today’s planned walkout. I fully support anyone who walked today. At some point (maybe even now) people will see watching a football match as a luxury due to rising prices even though clubs receive greater revenue due to better broadcasting deals and would sooner pass the money onto players, wages and agents.
Fans aren’t customers or consumers, Ayre can try to deflect as much flack as he likes but the common man has been priced out of football and he only dances to the FSG tune. A dead man walking.
Regarding the result, the team cannot hide behind a walkout protest for their capitulation. The team reflect the man and transfer policy that put them together, not fit for purpose.
We drew to Sunderland at home today for the exact same reason we did last season; because we’re not a good football team. Are you gonna blame the people who walked out for Mignolet still being our no. 1 aswell? You’re a ‘bohemian’ idiot tbh
Ridiculous argument. Not buying the tickets next season gives them victory. Those tickets will just be taken up by the type of ‘customer’ the owners want. Day trippers or rich beauts wearing jester hats. You either fight from within or concede defeat and give the club up. Remember they are only custodians and will move on eventually. The club will remain and the only way to keep its soul is to fight for it
Today was more important than two points in the league. Today is the moment when football either goes in one of two directions, one of them respects the supporters, treats them as part of the game, contributing to the game, something that the game cannot do without. The other direction is not worth thinking about.
Must say I am ashamed of those fans calling those who stayed in the kop today scabs. I made the decision to leave but respect those who don’t , it’s a personal choice. I would certainly reconsider leaving under protest in the future as I do not want to be associated with those types of fan. Disgusted by those calling individuals and singing ‘scabs’. Shame on them
I’d never call people scabs because you don’t know their situation is (e.g. A dad bringing his kid for the first time over from Ireland and with the game earmarked for months). Plus it’s nice to not be rude to strangers whenever it’s avoidable.
The people who could have done but didn’t will find their own way there one way or another. That’s the point of a walkout; to let people know that this isn’t on anymore.
But you are associated with those types of fan by supporting Liverpool.
What did you think “You’ll never walk alone meant’?…a catchy slogan?
What did you think the “Scouse Solidarity” banner meant?
I would never call anyone a scab
After all, they can’t help being who they are.
Lol just gonna pretend it ended 2-0. Out of sight, out of mind. You could call Defoe banging before the game but Adam Noncin’ coming on to score? C’mon…
Klopp’s made a potentially career killing decision coming here to manage this squad, the professional transfer bozos and the Tory jokers upstairs.
I was at the ground. I paid 45 quid for my ticket in the Kop. I didn’t walk out because I believe there are better ways to protest, and I also think my protest shouldn’t affect my support of the team or the players on the pitch. Granted I watched 90 minutes of shit, I still stayed all 95 minutes to see us waste another bunch of points. I’m against the prices and I will join other protests I.E Emailing the sponsors but I will NEVER leave early. Ever.
You like getting ripped off?
You paid £45 for 90 mins of shite?
Are you in the market for a car by any chance?
Did you want them to pay £45 for 77 minutes instead?
Obviously I want him to pay a reasonable price for a ticket.
Which based on today performance would be £3 with a free pie and coffee at half time.
Maybe even a free donut too, if you like eating as well as watching shit.
Good for you, make sure you give that keyboard a damn good bashing. I left and I’m proud to have done so. At least my protest at the blood sucking owners and their purple faced puppet Ayre was visible. We have to do everything possible to highlight the way these people are changing our Club, that’s right our Club, into something that the supporters of the past built up could never be part of.
I was in the Kop when Shankly picked up a scarf from the turf when we celebrated a Championship win. He would have understood our fight – it’s for the soul of our Club.
Anyone who believes that the walkout, and not the piss poor goalkeeping and defending, was responsible for us not winning this game, then I’m sorry, you know nothing about football.
Well done to all involved, not going to criticise those who didn’t because I understand there are people who have genuine reasons, the ‘scab’ shouts (if true) are uncalled for. A lot more participated than I thought would do so for me I’m glad.
The first of a many messages to those who run our club I’m hoping.
A team with balls would have poured in two more to show up the fans who walked out, instead we got the usual fade. Blaming the fans is bitter trolling, imo.
We’ve shipped 10 goals in the last 15′, more than any other team, because our lot can’t be arsed to do things like holding on to a 2-0 lead at home against arguably the worst side in the league.
Another disgrace, pure and simple.
I was in the kop and a few knobs called those who stayed scabs. I get the solidarity peice but need to allow others to make their own choices based on the info available and circumstance. I was surprised at the numbers that walked and impressed that people would go to such lengths – says something about the supporters – we are not sheep (and i’m in no way dissing those that stayed). Circa 10k people leaving early is a strong statement of intent. The club has shot itself in the foot on this one – all for around 8 months of enrique’s salary.
So let me get it right: Bashing your team when they are struggling and then walking out on them when they are winning makes you the all superior and righteous supporter who is fighting for the ‘soul of the club’? And in no way did a sensationalized and misleading story leaked by the papers to stir discontent hit it’s mark on a bunch of fools all too ready to alienate their team like union dock workers on strike in a bygone era. I wouldn’t trust you to run a lemonade stand, SHEEP! You think you hurt the ownership today? You already paid for the seats you walked out on! They already got your money and I bet some of you even bought food or drink while at the game too. If you want to send them a message stop buying their ‘products’. Don’t make us look like Newcastle or God forbid, that blue I mean red, I mean blue team in South Wales.
I know, I’ll set up shop in front of the Shankly Gates from now on and hand out green and gold scarves- all bullshit aside, at least those wanks had the decency to SUPPORT THEIR TEAM and kept their asses in their seats… I’m getting sick and tired of these self righteous, entitled know-it-alls who think the sun rises and sets on them just because of our legacy. Wake up, evolve.
The team ain’t good enough.
Can you not see it?
Mignolet is probably a nice lad, but his capabilities don’t match the Aspirations one of the richest clubs in world football have.
Support isn’t going to transform mignolet and the rest of this squad into a competiive team. Investment is.
Either in players or in scouts.
Or both.
FSG need to go. They have had long enough. It’s over for them.
Which newspaper leak was sensationalised and misleading? I’m assuming most have read LFC’s announcement and SOS’s counter and have formed an opinion.
Your comment suggests that everyone there is incapable of thinking for themselves, they’re not sheep, you are. FSG and the like are the wolves, so I’d say the ones protesting with the greatest interest of LFC and its future generations of supporters are the sheepdogs protecting the sheep (like yourself) from the wolves. Now the sheepdogs might get chewed up and spat out by the wolves, but at least they’ll try.
If anything Bohemian Red the ‘self-righteous know it all’s’ as you refer to seem to be the ones criticising the whole thing.
Across social media most of the anti-protest comments are uneducated, baffling and hostile. I’ve got no problem with you thinking protesting via walkout is wrong, that’s your right and most of the pro-protest people on here seem happy with that.
What troubles me is not that people thinking protesting by walkout is wrong, it’s that they think these ticket increases and prices are acceptable, and that we should all just get on with it.
The use of black flags was also a poor choice seen as it is the banner in which Islamic state currently use.
Some serious lack of thought and execution of this protest has divided fans. Made us all look like knobs
The black flags were symbolic of death or dying, the dying of supporter culture IMO because of these hikes. Nothing to do with a bunch of Muslim jihadists.
Any excuse for some people to get on their backs though I suppose.
Just to point out that I did walk out and fully support the action. My point is that these pictures will circulate internationally, the black flag is currently a symbol of ISIS. Some will associate this protest with ISIS when they see the black flag, this is a PR opportunity for those fleecing fans.
Should have been avoided
How is it ISIS flag you divvy? Because it has black on it? The Jolly Roger had a black background too but no-one thought we were fucking getting behind Long John Silver.
We are BROKEN.
The transfer committee is the main structural weakness. It is not fit for purpose, buying players that do not have the skills or attributes to play in the EPL. We are light weight, which without a world class striker playing regularly, are too easily pushed out of the game. The algorithm, formulae, tea leaves or wind blowing whatever it is, is not working,FSG whom are normally ruthless with individuals not performing, are not addressing this.
Sturridge has the perfect excuse to look else where.
What about the work Steve Peters did? our inner chimp is in charge of the asylum.
We need root & branch reform. We are broken and we cannot keep applying sticking plasters. The team needs breaking up and Klopp needs to start again with a belief system and believers. FSG needs to give him time otherwise their prize asset is going to keep taking terminal hits.