ON the CityTalk show on Thursday I said something that has caused people to tweet me such things as, “Can’t believe you said that line. Infuriating”. It’s brought Everton supporters out of their shell, with one tagging their mate in a tweet and saying, “Get on to this” and that weird little emoji of a monkey covering his eyes with his hands as if to suggest embarrassment.
What ludicrous thing did I say to engender such a response? What nonsense suggestion did I put forward that caused people to react with outrage and anger?
I said that I thought Liverpool would win the league next season.
I know it’s a cliche. I know that, according to those that don’t like us, Liverpool supporters “always think it’s their year” and it’s become something of a running joke for them. I’m also more than aware that we finished eighth in the league this season (though thanks anyway to the lads that keep tweeting to tell me, like I’ve never seen a league table before in my life).
Yet my assertion is based on more than mere blind optimism. It isn’t merely about me being a “typical Kopite”. It’s about thinking things through and analysing what’s happened before. It’s because I’ve evaluated our performances this season and considered our weaknesses and our strengths.
Most of all, though, it’s because I don’t see the point in thinking anything else (for watching Everton fans, it’s worth noting that your legendary goalkeeper, Neville Southall, has regularly insisted that Everton should talk about winning the league every season. An example, from this year: “We (Everton) need to be winning the league. We should be proud enough to say we’re going to win the league. When you walk into Man United their target is to win the league and they don’t mind saying it’s to win the league. What is ours? David Moyes told us that top 10 was great. This is a pile of rubbish.”).
At the start of next season virtually every team’s supporters will think that they can ‘do a Leicester’. The Foxes’ triumph will be used in countless motivational speeches. When some random team like Bournemouth are top after three weeks their fans will be dreaming of the scenes they witnessed at the King Power earlier this month.
Leicester’s Premier League triumph is a freak occurrence, we all know that. Take nothing away from Vardy, Huth and the rest, but they benefitted from a season when most of the top teams were in disarray and Arsenal did an Arsenal.
Claudio Ranieri’s side thoroughly deserved to win the title and my best mate is a Leicester fan, so I was genuinely delighted for them, yet it came in a season where absolutely everything fell into place for them. For that reason I’m not inclined to say that Liverpool should take inspiration from their league triumph. After all, the Reds have finished with a higher points total than Leicester in the past and not won the league.
What I do think, however, is that they have made a nonsense of the notion that ‘finishing eighth’ means Liverpool have got absolutely no chance of winning the league next time out.
Of course everyone else will strengthen this summer. It goes without saying that Manchester City, Chelsea and Manchester United can’t be as poor in the next campaign as they have been in this one. But Liverpool will strengthen, too. Liverpool will buy players of a better calibre. And Liverpool have Jürgen Klopp.
I’m not suggesting that the manager is infallible, far from it. His decision to change nothing when Sevilla were on top on Wednesday night was mildly concerning, but I’m sure he had his reasons and he’s far more knowledgeable about the game than I will ever be.
What he’s got, though, is box office appeal. Players want to play for him and, judging by the response of our players this season, they will run through brick walls for him. He’s also now experienced life in the Premier League. If he was arriving this summer I wouldn’t be as confident. But he’s now played West Brom under Tony Pulis. He’s gone up against Big Sam’s Sunderland. He’s seen what Chelsea can do when players like Eden Hazard decide to show up. And he’s learning all the time.
Another question I’ve been asking myself is if we aren’t going to win it, who is? I’m loath to dismiss anyone out of hand, but which team is a more nailed on option than Liverpool next season? Which team is unquestionably the best around?
Presuming, as I am, that Jose Mourinho is going to rock up at Old Trafford, are the Manchester United fans who are begging for his appointment genuinely expecting to watch exciting, attacking football next season? Have they not watched, you know, any of his previous teams? Let’s also not forget that he’s spent more money than any manager in the history of football during his career. He’s not going to turn up at Carrington and say that he doesn’t need to make any changes or that victory will be down to nothing more than tweaks and incremental alterations.
Arsene Wenger hasn’t been able to get his Arsenal team firing on all cylinders for years now. Yes, they finished second this time out, but they did so on the last day of the season and were a full 10 points behind the champions. Are we honestly expecting him to take them to the title without any opposition? To do so flawlessly after years of being terribly, terribly flawed?
Chelsea are starting from scratch, too. There are likely to be wholesale changes at Stamford Bridge, with rumours that Hazard, Diego Costa and even Thibaut Courtois could be on their way out. Antonio Conte has done brilliantly during his career in Italy, but he has no experience of the Premier League and the bookies think he’s more likely to get sacked than win the league. The Blues finished two places and 10 points below us, so why is it realistic that they’ll be able to challenge and we won’t?
Then there’s Manchester City and Pep Guardiola. There’s no questioning his ability as a manager from those who have ever watched his teams play, despite recent failings in the Champions League. Yet he’s also got no experience of life in the Premier League and his brilliant title-winning sides have been Barcelona and Bayern Munich — teams that are expected to challenge at the top of two-horse race tables no matter who is in charge. He plays a specific type of football that will take time for the players to understand, just as it has taken Liverpool players a while to get to grips with how Klopp likes to play. Plus, of course, he’ll be bringing in some new players that will take time to settle.
Other teams need to be considered obviously. Leicester are unlikely to challenge for the title again, especially with Champions League football to consider, but it would be churlish to refuse to mention them at all. Spurs will also be part of a conversation, but we must remember that in this ‘amazing season’ under Mauricio Pochettino they’ve actually notched up less points than they did under the ‘disastrous’ reign of Andre Villas-Boas. That’s not to say they will definitely fall away, but they’ll also have to cope with the added demands of European football.
For better or for worse, Liverpool don’t have that to worry about next season. Those in the know reckon that Klopp needs two things to get his teams firing: a good pre-season and time on the training pitch.
His pre-season this summer might not be as long as he likes thanks to the Euros, but there are already plans in place for the Reds to do the best that they can. One thing that needs no sorting is time on the training pitch, with a week between matches likely to be the norm for the majority of the campaign.
Our squad is flawed, the Europa League final showed us that. But it’s also not as bad as some people make out, the journey to Basel showed us *that*.
It is young and inexperienced but getting older and more experienced with every game it plays. It doesn’t require extensive surgery so much as an acknowledgment of the flaws and a sprinkling of stardust to add to the likes of a reformed Dejan Lovren, a pacy and intelligent Divock Origi and a Roberto Firmino who has out-performed the ‘assist machine’ of Mesut Ozil.
The last time Liverpool had no European football and a manager who had had a chance to get his feet under the table we were three points off winning our first Premier League title. Some morons will tell you 2013-2014 was all about the genius of Luis Suarez and that the man in the dugout had nothing to do with it, despite the fact that the Uruguayan has himself said the very opposite of that today.
Even if you genuinely believe that Rodgers brought nothing to the table then the presence of Klopp in the dugout should get you excited. It takes nothing away from the Northern Irishman to suggest that the German is a more accomplished manager. If Rodgers can get us close to the promised land in spite of being a so-called “fraud” thanks to nothing more than the genius of Suarez, then why shouldn’t Kloppo take us one step further with a fully fit Daniel Sturridge and an all-round better team?
There will be more than a couple of people reading this and shaking their heads, saying I should wind my neck in and that it’s ‘cringeworthy’ to talk of titles after what has ultimately been a disappointing campaign. I’m not interested.
I’m 33. When Everton last won a trophy I was 12. That their fans think it’s “embarrassing” for me to talk of Liverpool winning the league next season is a big part of the reason why I’ve gone through puberty, had sex, become old enough to drink and learnt to drive in the years it’s taken them to even reach a cup final, let alone win one. If you think we shouldn’t dare to dream then you’re no better than a Bluenose taxi driver.
We haven’t won the league since 1990, yet when you look at the honours board we’re still the most successful club in England and in the intervening 26 years we’ve won everything else that there is to win. We haven’t done that by apologising and kowtowing to the status quo. Accepting the state we find ourselves in has never been the Liverpool Way.
So I’ll say right here, right now in no uncertain terms and without any sense of embarrassment or apology: Liverpool will be Premier League champions this time next year. If you’re not with me, what’s the point in even bothering. The Reds are coming up the hill. Get behind them or get out of the way.
Amen brother
Top notch, Adam!
What’s to say some Leicester fan wasn’t saying the exact same on a Leicester forum this time last year – and surely we are entitled to believe now more than he/she would have been then?
We are three players and a good pre-season away from being unbeatable.
Believe.
I’m interested to know whether you would be so certain if we had won on Wednesday night? Would you be writing this article?
I’m all for your optimism, but it’s an interesting thought, don’t you think? If we had European football next year, would we cope with it and a title challenge?
I’m inclined to say no, we wouldn’t, and as such am looking forward to Klopp’s first full season with no distractions. 38 cup finals. 2nd string teams in the cups.
Second string in the cups??!! No way man…we should be going full throttle for everything we’re in. I fancy a double!!!
Early stages deffo
You give the answer yourself…….Name me one Liverpool supporter who hasn’t believed Liverpool would win the league….. and has been going on for more than 20 years now. Please stop – it’s not funny anymore
Spot on Poul. We should just abandon all hope now. What’s the point in believing you can win stuff? Thankfully we all accepted that we’d lost to Dortmund when they were 2-0 up. How embarrassing it would have been if we’d thought we could come back from that. I’m glad no one thought we’d be able to come back & win in Istanbul. Our fans getting right behind the team would have made us a laughing stock. Much better to just be like Everton and forget all hopes of winning in exchange for our only joy coming from when others lose. What a great attitude you’ve got, we should all be more like you.
The lad’s right, giving up is ace. Let’s just aim for…tenth or something. :)
You know you finished 8th this season so 10th seems more realistic than first
There is a bloody Big difference between hope and the “”we will win” claims like you come up with every year…just like Thompson Lawrenson Hanson. The most biased pundits in England…
And this bothers you, why? We’ve got one of the best managers in the business who’s just reached a couple of finals in a few months with someone else’s team. Two seasons ago we came second so why is it unreasonable for us to expect our side to challenge? Are you an Everton supporter? If so, when you came 5th a couple of years back, was there no optimism that you would push on? It’s just natural for us to expect to challenge with a manager like Klopp. I hope your side, whether Everton or someone else gets someone in who helps you dream of titles too. NB:- supporters of other clubs always annoy each other, it’s part of the tribalism of footie. :)
Very perceptive and could well be right.
Whatever I believe we will challenge strongly in all three domestic competitions next year.
True supporters have faith now we have the right manager and dare I say owners?
I think you are right .Not winning the league for over 25 years and still we are the team with 5 Champions league trophy in England and the team with most trophy .I sincerely believe in Klopp we have the best Manager in only 6 month in UK he took Liverpool into two finals without spending a penny .We have all right
to we can be champion by this next year.
Hahahahahaha deluded kopites
It’s great when people immediately prove the point you’re making. Nice one.
“Deluded kopites” Really?? I subscribed and pay my monthly fee to celebrate something positive in my life, that I enjoy following, with mostly like minded optimistic, similarly invested adults. You, on the other hand have joined and paid for what? Childish, snide, bitter posts? To expunge your self loathing via anonymous schadenfreude? I would hazard a guess that your own perceived self doubt and lack of optimism stems from the childhood enforced dogma of having to support a far less successful team, or as we kopites know the syndrome “Evertonianism” with advanced “Manc syndrome”. UP THE REDS.
Excellent rejoinder Guitaro. Seconded! :)
Definition of ‘irony’. Well done Sir, intellectual brilliance. Any chance you could expound your knowledge and share with us your findings on the evolution of string theory? ;)
Thanks, Adam. I am with you and Klopp 100% on this!!
Up the 2017 Champioms Reds!!!
Yep agree completely. Big opportunity next year. Can’t wait for the start of the season, hopefully all the players come back from the Euro’s in one piece.
Roll on the new season.
That is the nail on the hub – it is a huge opportunity and rather than moping about it, we definitely should all believe. 38 cup finals please Reds (not *that* cup final!) And 19 crazy, domestic, European night, Saturday afternoons from those lucky enough to be in that fine stadium and see it unfurl.
Love this “38 CUP FINALS” theme.
Every team next year should aim for the league – if you don’t you are doing footy wrong
This time next year,Rodders-we’ll be Champions
And they were millionaires in the end, no? What’s the point in realism when a dream can come true just as easily?
Thank you Adam Smith. Your best essay since The Wealth of Nations. Seriously, you’ve helped me get my head up, stop feeling sorry for myself, and look forward to the pre-season friendlies, let alone the new season. Come on you reds! Of course we can win it. Why the fuck not.
Cheers Ted. Why the fuck not indeed.
Haha. Wealth of Nation, spot on
I think this is a very good article generally. Pretty balanced and accurate. I’m actually an Everton fan and I see Liverpool with a strong chance to win it next year.
I also think Liverpool have a very good chance next season for the reason outlined by the writer – everyone is changing, Liverpool have a united fanbase, plenty of money, a good manager and a pretty good side that is going to get better with Klopp’s training, age and experience of players, and new additions, but most of all there is no stand-out team at all – all are flawed and LFC have no midweek football to tire them out or get them distracted.
If I was being harsh, I didn’t love the last 3 paragraphs. Because 1) LFC’s history is irrelevant, 18 leagues has no bearing on next year
, 2) because any teams fans can have different views and it’s not all “win or bust, think this or get out of the way”, 3) fans can dream of course, but i think the writer makes a good balanced and rational argument for Liverpool to be seen as a possible winner of the PL next year – not so much about dreaming, it actually is a decent possibility of it if you buy well. Esp, as Klopp is German and as Wenger and Rafa proved with French and Spanish players, I bet Klopp has a better knowledge of and is more appealing to the best players in the Bundesliga like Gotze.
To be honest as an EFC fan, I think LFC are my top 3 teams to win it next year – City, Spurs and Liverpool. I can’t see us or Chelsea or United or Arsenal challenging
I’ll grant you, Jimbob, the bit about Everton was a touch of playing to the crowd, but it was in response to one of your lot ‘laughing’ at my tweet suggesting the league was possible.
As for LFC’s history, my point was more about the fact that we have been winning trophies consistently in the years since our last league win precisely because we have the belief that we’re able to. I agree that that 18 leagues means nothing for next year, what I’m saying is we haven’t won the LEAGUE in 26 years but we’ve still won loads of other stuff thanks to a winning mentality and a belief that it’s possible.
Finally of course fans can approach things however they want. But I’ve had Liverpool fans tweeting me about this article saying “We’ve got no chance”, “the squad’s dross” etc. I don’t understand that attitude. If you don’t want to approach football like a joyful, exciting enterprise in which nothing seems impossible then what’s the point? Negativity isn’t for me.
Because football represents life…which for many means fight and struggle against the odds and a firm grip on reality and appreciation of what needs doing is of more use in a fight than deluded hung ho bullshit
No, fair enough, that’s probably a good mantra to live life by – and to support a football team by.
You touched on the stereotype that some LFC fans have, that of ‘wild utopian dreaming about a golden sky’ etc. But my post was about me thinking you’re right in that there is a rational viewpoint that suggests it’s a decent possibility — I don’t think that’s “dreaming” at all, I think it is quite logical. I wouldn’t call any team favourites though, but LFC are a team that definitely could win it.
This year for Chelsea and for Leiciester proved that what happens in a players head, and in the atmosphere of a dressing room, is absolutely pivotal
Klopp I reckon is the best manager for this mental side of the game, which was proved to be so important
My above post was a response to Adam Smith
– Mushroomscouser – calling all EFC fans ‘bitters’? Your posts are the most bitter on here pal
I think the entire red half of the city call Evertonians bitters.
Pal.
When Klopp arrived, my objective was 6 points off 4th and the last 8 of the Europa, shite, but realistic. That was me. Job done.
I am still pissed off that we folded and humiliated ourselves in that second half. I will would be fine if it was a narrow 3-2 defeat….but it wasn’t.
The league performances were shitty because of who we threw points away to. A long tradition continues
Instead of setting unrealistic targets of winning the league, for me a top 4 finish and a general upward trajectory in the transfers, in the progress of Origi, Ibe…. Firmimio gaining further nous in the English game…. growth. That is what the 16/17 season is about. Getting out of the mid table.
The league will come in Klopps 4th year…
The double in his 5th
When a bitter says we stand a good chance of winning it next year, then I know we are fucked
Gobshite
Knob head beaut
Nice one Adam (you 18th century economic sort). Why not go for the league if we can get some real quality in? (we all know who that is). Let’s face it, it won’t be much of a season if we don’t target it. Who cares what the bitters and the rest think. It’s surely a good thing to support a side that at least gives you hope each season. Sod ’em, up the ‘deluded’ Reds! :)
I stuck some cash on this late Wednesday evening. I’m with you.
Four Reasons
1) We were shit in the league this year, and the squad will be essentially the same next.
2) Other clubs will invest and likely progress.
3) We don’t have, and are unlikely to find, a Vardy Mahrez combination.
4) Our scouts/transfer committee what ever the fuck are shit.
At least I see Leicester have given the lesser clubs like Liverpool some hope. I think with 8th this season you’ve found your level.
Thanks to and the rest of the people who don’t support Liverpool for the comments and the hits. Up the Reds.
I was supportive of the argument in the article and I praised the writer for writing what I called a balanced and good article- was that sarcasm aimed at me?
I liked what you wrote Jimbob. Hope you lot get someone decent in too. It may’ve been over-stated about what a good squad you have but there’s a lot of talent there and reasons for optimism if you get the right man.
Wouldn’t have thought so. Your post was reasoned and honest.
You’re alright, Jimbob. Keeping an eye on Neighbour- a more successful family across the park :). Cheers
Let’s not forget Leicester had title winning form in the last 9 games of the prior season too. No one picked up on it, but the clue was there. So they’ve been hands down the best team in the country for the past 50 or so games now.
Not seeing any such clues in our end of season form. which was really poor and the end of the prior year and carried over into the start of this one.
I actually think we’re likely to finish above Leicester next year, but think they’re more likely to win it than us, if that makes any sense. As they have displayed the necessary qualities to bring it over the line.
Try our team sheet YDTM, there’s a few clues there mate.
Good lad! We’re running up that hill. Why the fuck not?
There are many fine Evertonians. Some even drive taxis.
With Liverpool in the Premier league it’s not the hope that kills you. It’s the reality. It’s the dropped points, the no-show performances, the inconsistency, the near misses, the drop down the table, the end of season table. 26 years without finishing on top. But next season could be different. It could be the season LFC win it. How sweet that would be. It’s there for the taking. We hope so much but after this season there are another half dozen clubs hoping it is them. The premier league has been beyond the Redmen so far. The reality is it might continue to be. The hope is that it won’t. Here’s to coming up the hill and making it to the top.
If you look at the league this season then there are some factors that back up what you say.
Firstly, I’d look at our last 11 home games in in all comps. WWWDWWWDWWD. that’s the kind of form you need.
Then there’s the end of season league sides we put out. We sacrificed the league for the Europa. That’s clear. Our overall run in was good before we reached the latter stages of the cup. 19 points from 24 points. Then as mentioned we sacrificed/lost focus in the league and got 6 from 15.
Klopp needed at least a few months to settle. In our last 14 league games we only lost 2. We lost 3 in our last 22 games in all competitions up to and including the last game of the season.
Then there’s the Europa games. Prior to the Dortmund games we’d had 7 league games on the Sunday that followed a Europa game. We took 7 points.
So to summarise. Klopp needed time to settle. In that period we lost a lot of points especially following Europa games. We don’t have either of those problems next season. Then we picked up and our results/form was good. Our home form/results became brilliant. Then in the last 5 we tailed off to concentrate on Europa which again cost us. There’s also the fact that Rodgers took 6 from 6 in his last league games and Klopp only 2 from 2 in his first making that whole transition period 8 from 8.
I think we’ve become harder to beat at home and harder to beat in general when we’re desperate to win. With no distractions and a bit more quality, I’m excited.
Thank you Robin for putting things into context! The 8th place finish was a result of switching focus to the Europa League (understandable in the circumstances) and undoubtedly Klopp will use the lack of European football to his advantage, just as Brendan did. I too am excited – we have one of the top coaches in world football that City, United, Chelsea, Real and others would have all considered as their preferred option had we not got in there first. Sure we need to add to the squad but I find it hard to believe that Klopp’s sheer charisma and passion can’t persuade the likes of Gotze to still join what remains one of the biggest clubs in the world. Believe!
You’ve got to believe there’s a chance in the first place to make something great happen. I would’ve laughed if someone said in the summer of 2013 that we’d massively challenge this season.
I for one am entirely surprised to hear some blues are mocking a red for believing we can try win something great that Leicester just have when we’ve got one of the most coveted coaches in Europe as our manager. Really, really unlike them… I wonder whether they’ll ever twig.
Of course we aim to win the league. We want to be champions of the Premier League so that we can be champions of the Champions League.
Our form has been excellent. When we upgrade our depth, we will have higher-quality sides to put out for cup runs, too. I want to win the triple. Why not? Klopp has had a baptism by fire this season, with a game every 3 or 4 days. Now we will have a few new transfers and a lot of time to practice. There is every reason for boundless optimism.
I am loathe to make 38 game predictions, especially after the season we’ve just had!
But what I will say is that I believe only 1 team from the top 6 (& more?) is *virtually guaranteed* to improve, which is whom? Spurs, because I really think that Pochettino knows what he’s doing. Ok, we went to 3 more EL ties than they did, beating Dortmund + Villareal on the way. But they finished 10 points ahead of us in the league.
Then the rest of the top 4, how will they really get on? I honestly don’t think that Leicester can sustain their form, now that they’re in with the big boys. Their CL group could be the toughest competition that they’ve ever faced in history, and what if they then drop down to the EL? If I had to stake all I owned on a prediction, I’d say they will finish outside of the top 4 next year.
Arsenal are probably the easiest to predict, because they’re Arsenal – I’d say the Goons will finish 3rd or 4th, and definitely don’t expect them to improve.
I honestly cannot see City winning the title, they have to rebuild completely as far as I can see. The reason they couldn’t win from quite some time back is their defence, so who will Guardiola bring in? This league obviously won’t be anything like he’s had before.
Surely no-one believes that West Ham or Southampton will win the league, although you’d have to say ‘why not’ after this season, so that brings me to just 2 more clubs, Chelsea and Man Utd.
Obviously Chelsea will improve, but do they have issues of temperament, who will remain? Perhaps they will achieve the biggest turnaround after this season, which wouldn’t be such a surprise, and with no European competition for them either, it could even be them and us facing off for the title.
Finally, out of all the teams I’ve mentioned (sorry for droning on), I reckon Man Utd will struggle the most – I’d say they need at least a team of 11 players to compete in Europe as well as domestically, and who was the last team who successfully managed that, let alone van Gaal, who has them playing the most insipid footy I’ve seen for many a year.
So I’m inclined to believe that we can have a tilt at the title, and even though I’m not one myself, I applaud the optimists – well in!
*The reason for the asterisks is that there are no ‘guarantees’ in elite sport.
The reason we won’t win the league is because we need five first team starters to come in and hit the ground running.A commanding goalkeeper who organises catches and punches.A centre back who leads and wins headers. A left back who defends. A dynamic central midfielder with pace and power. Emre Can should be renamed Emre Can’t by the way. Hopelessly overrated by delusionally blinkered fans. A pacy wide attacking player who shows composure in front of goal. We possess none of the above and they’re not easy to find.
I don’t believe it. A voice of reason.
Honestly mushroom lad, what do you get out of football? I can understand fans of other clubs doing us down, telling us we’re shite and stuff. But if you can’t even hope that we might be successful, with no Europe, no clear front-runner, lots of change at other clubs and a whole summer of potential transfers ahead of you, what’s the point? Does it really give you that much satisfaction to say “I told you so” every year? Were you quietly smug at the end of 13/14, when the rest of us believed, enjoyed the ride, but were ultimately heart-broken? Perhaps we’ll never understand each other. Up the reds.
Whether fans are delusional and blinkered or not, come the start of next season I think we will see Klopp’s view will remain that Can has all the qualities to be a starter for Liverpool.
I feel that speaking of Titles and being up in the top 4 is really going a bit far. Firstly we need this summer transfer window to sign 3-4 reinforcements, Then Klopp needs to train and emphasize his philosophy and tactics on the players and the squad in general. We need to make the most of the quality friendly matches that we will play against top european teams. Also we have to make sure that we start next season with a bang, try to win the first 4-5 games, which will in turn instill confidence and belief amongst the players and Manager. Hopefully we have a very successful season and do well in both the Premier League and FA Cup/League Cup, home form will be very important like in Klopps reign we have done extremly well at home, but we need to stop losing to the so called smaller teams away, at least get draws were possible, do not go all out attack and throw the games away. A lot to ponder this summer and fix as well, I pray that FSG come up with the funds for Klopp to sign top quality players, whether german or from other leagues. Lets get Liverpool back to were we deserve to be, Champions of England, the greatest team in the land and in the future kings of Europe again. YNWA.
Don’t know where I land on this. Is it something about hope, expectation and realism? The fact probably remains that were a mid table club in the premier league era, with the exception of 3 or 4 blip seasons. Whilst I have no issue with hoping to win the league, perhaps if we dial back the expectation there might be more sense of realism, and dare I say it enjoyment? We’re not entitled to the title, but in reality not is anyone else – only one team can win it, but only 6 have won the premier league since 1992 and two of them only once – so there is scope for optimism. If we perhaps start from a lower base level of expectation we might start enjoying ourselves…
Too many false dawns, and I’ve seen some of the good old days, having been with the club since ’86.
I do think we should be able to have a good tilt at it next year – but what happens when we’re still loitering around in 6th-8th come November?
It’s early days and Wednesday is still raw and prominent in my thinking and emotions. We’ve seen plenty of promise sonce klopp arrived so I’m hopeful – but I’m not expecting anything. My heart can’t keep taking it…
I hope Liverpool can win every competition they enter. Every year I’ve believed the Reds can win the title. My enjoyment has never been dampened because they haven’t done it. In fact, one of the seasons I’ve enjoyed the most recently was 13-14 because I allowed myself to get swept along in the excitement.
If we’re 6th-8th in November so what? Will you be less disappointed because you didn’t dream of the title in August? I won’t be. I really don’t care about “realism”. It’s not for me. I’ve outlined all of the reasons I think we can win the league & I don’t think any of them are unrealistic or untrue.
I’m not suggesting Liverpool will win the league because we’re “entitled” to. I think we’ll win because I don’t see who the runaway favourite is & I actually think we’re better placed to go for it than most of the other top teams. If you don’t want dream of such things that’s up to you, but it’s a pretty dull way to watch football.
This has been one of the best TAW articles, not because it says we are going to win the league but because it questions the whole idea of why you support the reds. i love to dream, and with the reds somtimes those dreams come true. I have had some great days watching the reds on telly with my kids and we even managed to see LFC v Bordeaux, the first time they had been to a match. They loved it, and they are gutted about Wednesday, but they are already starting to dream about next year. From 6-1 at Stoke to 45 mins from glory. Why cant it be 45mins from glory to league champions, and even if we dont get their you feel we are on the right road and we will have a lot of fun getting there. Even if we don’t win we will still have a lot of fun. Its not work its not school, we are reds and we are all a bit mad, and long may it continue. For those that need directions about our squad, they are young, many have been injured or out on loan, we have new lads already signed and a couple more to come, they are boss, (even if some of them are dickheades: Albi) however, if you tell them there great they may become great. If you constantly have a go then nobody benefits. Enjoy the reds, Embrace the reds, dream about the reds, its great, there great.
Good article, but one factual error. Your best mate does not supper Leicester, he supports Liverpool. He is Mr. R Gutman. He is all our best mate.
Fantastic article Adam, if we can believe we can win the league going into a new season then we are all fucked, what’s the point then?? Leicester have proved how close this league have got and I believe with no Europe and Jurgens own players in we have a great chance… We’ll be coming…..
I am from germany and ever since i remember Klopp being manager of Mainz finishing so unluckily several times to make the jump to the Bundesliga i enjoyed him talking and behaving like a real supporter. And i have been very happy as he finally made it with Mainz to go up there. When he moved to Dortmund i thought: Hey, that was a great deal from the Dortmund bosses. And what kind of refreshing football this team played almost right from the beginning.
I remember those two wonderful years when finally a real football-playing team with real supporters won the league instead of the inevitable Bayern Munich.
But i also remember, that Klopp sticked to his way of football no matter what. And that wonderful idea of a football game he has, also is the problem he has. He is great in developing players, his motivation skills are unbeaten and he is able to make great game plans so on any good occasion his team is able to disrupt any side of the world. BUT: once the other team finds a way to adapt to that style, he ignores or is unable to make the necessary changes on the pitch.
Ever since he joined Liverpool – my old english love since the days they hammered our german teams in the 70’s – i was buzzing and hoping that he had used his time-out to learn….but i am afraid… that did not happen. I watched almost all league games on live stream and the European games here on Free-TV so i might be allowed to think those 2:0 leads that didn’t got finished could have been avoided by some decent on-pitch changes throughout the games. Problem is, once he really changes his style, we’ll never ever again can witness a 5:4 away win or an unbelievable comeback against Dortmund.
This guy can’t be other than 100% – and that is why i still enjoy him so much, watch any press conference, try to find some valid live-streams for the league games or check out You-Tube for the Highlights.
Even with the final at Basel being succesful, i’d not think winning the PL should remain far away. Now without any europa games – what suck obviously, but that’s just for one year – i really don’t know why Liverpool should not be able to make a nice run to the title. And if not – at least we’ll see some really great games and fights and Champions league qualifiying for sure.
Happy Summer over there, can’t wait for the new race to begin
Spot on Adam, why not ? This thing we do is meant to be fun..why shouldn’t we aspire to that league title without a ball being kicked. It crossed my mind this week when that Bitter Gobshite McNulty was spouting how hard it would be for LFC to attract players with no European Football to entice them. Did Leicester have European Football? No ..they just plugged some decent players together and won the fuckin league !
Klopp is awesome and gets us, I would walk through a brick wall with him, so god knows what he is going to do when he supplements this squad with his players..
Roll on we are coming up the hill and what a party we are gonna have when we finally win that league ! See you in The Bootroom NYC for it next May.
Great article Adam.
“Deluded” is the weakest insult in football. Football fans should be deluded. They should dream, and hope for glory. Because, otherwise, what’s the point of being a football fan?
All clubs next season, from us, the Mancs and Arsenal to Burnley, Boro and Wednesday or Hull should be deluded enough to believe they’re going to win the league. And if they’re not, I want them to commit to it. No cheering. No applause. You’re there for a nice day out, to catch up with your mates while some rich lads kick a ball around in front of you. Ok, you can sing songs. But they have to be realistic ones. “We’re the most distinctively average team…the world has ever seen”. Or “we’re going to win this match….but probably not the next” or “the referee’s a good man. The referee’s doing a good job. Under difficult circumstances”. And so on.
Football is tribal, it’s silly, it’s a bit fucking mad. Delusion (or, wanting your team to do as well as possible) goes hand in hand with that.
Up the Reds. Up the deluded Reds. Have a nice summer.
We’ve finished outside the top 5 for 6 of the past 7 seasons, no reason to believe we will have the magical consistency next season to win the league.
Where were you in 2013-14, Haji?
When i have renewed my season ticket over the last 20 years i have done so not really thinking this will be our year. Having just renewed again for next season i genuinely can’t wait for the season to start. Im not going to say we ARE going to win the league but i feel a strong challenge with that possible outcome developing. Klopp gives me hope, momentum feels like its growing, the positivity inside Anfield apparent. Lets see, but i just feel we are about to go on a crazy journey with Mr Klopp………
This comment thread begs the question “What sort of freak fan from another club comes onto a blog written by and entirely for Liverpool supporters and feels the demented need to cut down a really well-thought-out and well-reasoned, sensibly optimistic article by a guy like Adam who simply loves his own club and wants it to succeed?” Please do us a favour, jugheads — go back to the dark place you crawled out of. Nobody here gives a shit what you think.
Keep up the great work, Adam. Your contributions to TAW this season have been excellent.
It may be taking silver linings from truly dark clouds to extremes, but losing the final could be the making of this team for years to come.
Klopp’s teams, at their best, are about system, system, system. Perfectly alligned cogs in a fluid machine. Seeking to do this with another man’s players and often only 2 days training between games, no pre-season is nigh on impossible. Next year, with a (please God) productive transfer window, full pre-season and no European distractions, Klopp will have so much time to craft his team into what he needs it to be. He has had nearly a full season in the Premier League, knows what he will need to build to compete and also what he will need to have in place the following season when we will be back in Europe, hopefully as league champions.
Had we won the Europa the short term euphoria would have been stratospheric and another season of European football intoxicating; but the long term effect on building a team to play in his image would have suffered.
We invested in a manager because we wanted him to resurrect a Club, build a dynasty, and implement a philosophy that will endure at Anfield for many years to come. Few in world football fit this bill; most at his level will come only if the Club can effectively buy immediate success, not build long term stability. Now we have him, the fact that he has time next season on the training field – the commodity that was so obviously lacking this season – is a blessing. The fact that all our main rivals bar Chelsea do not; an added bonus.
I for one am more optimistic for our 5 year plan now than I have been in years.
Up the dark horse reds.
I haven’t been wound up by anything that a Blue has said/posted I’d say for a number of years (was a comment about Dalglish when he took over if I remember rightly, so was a long time ago).
I’m not saying there isn’t none of them that are good lads, there are. When I went back to work Thursday the lad who works closest to me, a Blue, had a proper intelligent debate about Wednesday’s match. He was like I was after the derby, didn’t feel the need to wind up as our performance, much like theirs in the derby, was so shit it sucked out any urge to gloat because the result was justified.
I know I went off there but my point is any negative comment towards our club from an Evertonian I have just buzzed off them and treated it with the contempt it deserves. I know some Reds get wound up but they’re Everton, we’re not. We’re Liverpool, they’re not. That’s how I like it and I’m so fucking grateful for it.
I’m not saying they’re not a good club who have a lot of decent people supporting them, but when I see them commenting, for example, how the finals we reached this year were only “Mickey Mouse” competitons as a means of mocking us reaching them, then really you can only sit back and chuckle about how certain supporters of a club who last won a trophy 21 years ago can somehow act like they’d be above winning such Mickey Mouse competitions.
I think Chelsea stand the best chance of winning the league next season. They will undoubtedly throw as much money as it takes at their squad and they have no European football either. They are basically in the same situation we are but with a far better transfer record (in recent history). I’d love to win the league, it goes without saying, but we’ve got a team of quivering fairies and unless Klopp slaps that weakness out of them, I can’t see us going toe to toe with anyone in a title race and coming out on top. I’m hoping to be proven wrong of course, I’m just tired of our second rate players crumbling when it really matters, it’s exhausting being a Liverpool fan and fading away in the final few games of a title push (yet again) would do me in.
Thank you for saying what I have been too polite to say. People who think Rodgers is a “fraud “are morons. People who think this squad is rubbish are morons. People who think we have no chance at the title are morons. A few key signings, some time to develop understanding’s on the training page, a united 12 man, and a whole lot of Klopp gives us every right to dream. The side will be more lethal in attack and have greater balance. Sturridge on 25 goals. Original on 15. Firmino on 15. Gotze on 15. Can to hit his stride. Set pieces worked out. Joe Allen the best squad player in the PL era (that’s my little addition there)
Confirmation bias. The same confirmation bias that I engage in every year before the start of the season. Being a football supporter is a curse.
Anything said by an Evertonian can taken with a pinch of salt, they are so one eyed it’s almost impossible to have a proper football discussion with most,
They also spent a decade telling all & sundry that Moyes was a genius,
Jog on.
I’m a massive supporter and while there is absolutely nothing wrong with having hope and optimism this “next year is our year” needs to stop or at the very least have a grounding in reality.
For the last 7 seasons, bar the blip in 13/14, we have been finishing pretty consistently around 7th place. That’s despite Utds downturn in fortunes and us having spent 100s of millions of pounds. Even this season when both Chelsea and Utd finish outside the top 4 we find ourselves nowhere near the CL positions.
This isn’t me being negative, this is reality.
We seem to be continually looking for a short cut to win the title where we should be looking for incremental forward steps to build upon and to cement ourselves near the top of the table where we can consistently challenge for the title.
That’s the key word for me…consistently.
Consistently winning creeps into the players psyche where it comes to the point where nothing else is acceptable. And I don’t mean just over one season, I mean over several seasons.
Over the same 7 seasons where we have been consistently finishing around 7th, Spurs have been finishing around 4th. It is from that base that they were able to attract a better quality of player and then mount a serious title challenge this year.
I have lots of optimism that Klopp can help return us to near the top of the table next season but I’m not gonna start proclaiming “we’re gonna win the league next year” as I understand how difficult it is to do that, who are opposition is in order to do that and where our current position stands.
“There are many fine Evertonians. Some even drive taxis”
Funniest. Line. Ever.