WHEN we’re walking away from Anfield – for my gang down Sleepers Hill and Walton Lane, heading back into the bowels of Liverpool’s North End – a sole variable structures the conversation. Have Liverpool won?
Seldom do we ask ourselves, have we been entertained? After The Reds prevailed 3-2 in the Manchester City epic which took us to the brink of the 2014 title, my dad and I stood breathless at the bar of the sweatiest ever “Solly” pub and stole the same words from each others’ mouths, “What a game of football!”, we proclaimed in tandem. We would never have concluded as such had we not taken those critical three points.
Reacquaintance with Sevilla the other night produced a great spectacle; Liverpool ascendant for much of the evening but the Spaniards nearly pilfering the spoils at the death. Superb entertainment, but try telling that to The Anfield Wrap’s anarchic Ben Johnson as he marches to town with murderous intent after the final whistle.
Just as an aside, if you’re still recovering from Johno’s rant, Sevilla FC deserves everything it achieves in life and sport for one of football’s classic kits. All white save for jet black socks. It’s a unique look that made me wistful for another shot at my first Holy Communion.
Returning to the point, the committed supporter is most royally entertained when his or her team wins. During my own formative football years I was familiar with “The Red Machine” but in that moniker there was no allusion to Liverpool’s style of play. Equally, The Reds were “Mighty” because they relentlessly won matches and trophies.
While the club transitioned from the Bill Shankly era into the more quietly cerebral ways of Bob Paisley, the football evolved into something more sophisticated. Shankly’s occasional liking for helter skelter was phased out for Paisley’s more patient approach but Liverpool’s method remained hard to define.
Elsewhere fans of the “cup teams” of the era, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham begged of a certain grace and flair. The legacy of George Best, Jimmy Greaves, and Martin Peters (described by Alf Ramsey as “10 years ahead of his time”) demanded continuing with a rich cultural heritage and a reputation for attacking football.
United followers obsessed over their wingers Steve Coppell, Gordon Hill and Jesper Olsen. Spurs fans revelled in the silky skills of Glenn Hoddle and Ossie Ardiles (known to the scathing Kop as the Fancy Dans of White Hart Lane) while the Hammers’ patrons lauded the artistry of Trevor Brooking and, later, Paolo Di Canio.
No one who admires the game’s finest attacking play can brook any argument with the speed and directness of Jürgen Klopp’s philosophy, evident again at Anfield in midweek. However, there remains intense frustration at Liverpool’s frailty in defence and a lack of nous in the art of seeing matches out. Klopp though remains shy of real criticism for failure to address defensive issues, the cult of his enormous personality ensuring the manager’s stock stays high among supporters.
Liverpool have already rekindled the swashbuckling style that promised a title challenge in the first half of last season but the arch Kloppites were just as enamoured when, shorn of his best creative options through injury to Sadio Mane and Phil Coutinho’s drop in form last spring, the attacking dogma was compromised and The Reds began to embrace a less flamboyant approach garnering enough points to ensure Champions League qualification.
Klopp’s predecessor Brendan Rodgers, recognising the virtues of his own front three, Luis Suarez, Raheem Sterling and Daniel Sturridge, eschewed his advertised preference for possession and “resting on the ball” and adopted a similar counter-attacking style to that of Klopp. Rodgers’ critics though, not so easily seduced by an avalanche of goals, craved the solidity of yesteryear when Liverpool teams were versed in the knack of winning titles. Ultimately, Brendan lost popularity through a perceived inability “to organise a defence”, even if it was the goals drying up in his last 12 months that rendered his team dysfunctional.
If Liverpool were famed for anything during the halcyon Shankly and Paisley years it was for nicking a late goal to break the deadlock, especially on the road. Reds’ supporters in those days luxuriated in those smash and grabs while the media and opposition fans whined about lucky Liverpool. It happened often enough to make nonsense of chance and we lapped it up.
The emotional attachment Liverpudlians feel towards Klopp is probably rivalled only in the modern era by the early esteem in which Gerard Houllier was held. The Frenchman restored Liverpool’s reputation in Europe largely through ugly anti football born of his innate caution. The UEFA Cup semi final defeat of Barcelona in 2001, and in particular a Camp Nou suffocation of Rivaldo et al, when The Reds rarely ventured beyond halfway, was a borderline crime against football.
However, Liverpool fans didn’t care a jot when the former Catalan great Johan Cruyff said of Houllier’s team “Liverpool are just like Bayern Munich. They’re all about name and prestige, but… we’re talking about two horrible teams. You might think I’m exaggerating but in my opinion a team are horrible if they’re incapable of stringing three passes together.”
Cruyff had a point, but Liverpool won 1-0 in the second leg and The Kop danced to Gerard’s tune, even if the exultant strains raining down from the stands of “Allez, Allez” didn’t entirely reflect Houllier’s studious, astute negativity. For all his sins, Liverpool under Houllier discovered a way to win matches when faced with superior opposition; conquering not only Barcelona and AS Roma but the pre-eminent domestic sides of the decade Arsenal and Manchester United in Cardiff cup finals.
Rafa Benitez probably had more detractors throughout his tenure than the honeymoon version of Houllier but most Liverpool fans were similarly beguiled by his pragmatic, winning football. The insane claims of those who alleged Benitez got lucky in winning the European Cup ignore two defensive masterclasses against Chelsea in the semi final, and in Juventus’s Stadio delle Alpi. Again, supporters kicked every ball in excruciating stalemate; the only excitement needed brought by the prospect of becoming champions of Europe.
All that matters amid the cauldron, unless watching as a neutral or the profound purist, is the right result. All that excites the partisan is the prospect of winning and the thrill of that final whistle.
When Shankly, Paisley, Houllier and Benitez were each at their respective peaks, Liverpool fans took perverse but real pleasure in the knowledge that The Reds were savvy, streetwise; hard to beat. Traits that define the tough, resistant Scouse mentality that sometimes sets us apart. That, as much any notion of style and lavishness, is what still beats in the heart of Liverpool stalwarts.
We all want to be entertained but above all we want to win. Klopp curries enough favour to be forgiven for adapting his style of play. Whether he thinks he needs to is another matter but there’s more than one way to skin a cat and still delight in that vulgar process.
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Must say I enjoyed your article above more than any I have read for a very long time. It has a rythm and expression that not many writers can achieve -especially when writing about football.
I have been to Anfield only a few times when my late son purchased tickets and must say I found a strong togetherness amongst our supporters.
We went to watch the Liverpool v Newcastle match when Shearer equailsed in the closing stages – Xavier (Santa Claus) was the left back on that occasion. A Reds supporter must have heard me ask the Police for directions to Lime Street Station on the way down the hill on conclusion of the game because we were so surprised to be offered a lift right into the station by his wife (who collected her man) as we walked along the bypass. I would love to present a bottle of Black Bush to that man but regrettably I never got to know his name.
Just putting on record one act of kindness by our clan and also my enjoyment of your script.
I know where you are coming from but can’t agree. Maybe because I grew up in the Shankly era and completely bought into his intense attacking style. Then he had strength and personality in defence and character throughout the team. BUT he had to build it and not very player could rise to the challenge. The lack of trophies recently has tainted the fan base and few forget that ‘quality’ football played by a highly cohesive but attack minded players can achieve magnificent and memorable results. Yes we all appreciate Houlier and Benitez teams and their often dogged style…….but I for one don’t want to go there again. Football is about joy……the chant in 1964 to 66 was …attack, attack, attack….and I can’t give that up again for dour defense even though I accept it wins titles. I don’t want that to be Klopp’s legacy. I love what he is trying to achieve and recognise it takes time……and most of all commitment…….the fanbase today seem to have forgotten that to some extent. Although I was as frustrated and annoyed with the game against Sevilla……Parts of it were memorable and I can see what Klopp is trying to achieve and that the players[in the main] deserve time to achieve this……..but I agree they need to do this soon……ie by Christmas or new faces should be enlisted as Shankly did way back then.
I am a fully grown man and was oohing and aahing more than effing and jeffing watching a stream of Wednesday’s match in the 1st half.
The 2nd half showed the exertion needed to get 2-1 in the first. We could have won 3-1 or lost 2-4.
Benitez’ European teams I just caught the 2nd halfs of. Not entertainment, but professional.
Klöpp’s European teams so far are not professional, but entertaining.
The best part of what I love about the Reds is joy with a bit of madness thrown in. I’d endure some turgid games if they bring us to the other moments, but I’ve never been about winning for its own sake. I could live with something like the Wenger-era of football if it was played joyously and madly. Arsenal in the past 10 years or so, though, has been relatively bloodless. A trophy or two would be nice, but I’d relive 13/14 just about every year – even with the heartbreaks – if I could have those giddy heights of magnificent madness on a regular basis. The moment of lifting a trophy is ecstatic, but I’d trade it for a season of joy. Of course, the hope is that Klopp simply unlocks the defensive problem and we get to play mental football and win the league.
Reds will finish third in their group, win no trophy,finish fifth. Goodbye Jk.Clueless organising a defence
But we might get to play the bitters in the Europa!!! Imagine the joy and jubilation and be grateful for all our fantastic owners have turned us into.
Be careful what you wish for. Seems like many have written off this season and indeed Klopp before it’s barely started. Who needs supporters like that? Yes criticism is part of being a supporter but too much negativity will affect the team out on the pitch. Klopp is right on that. Last Xmas this website had Klopp and his team as the greatest thing ever. No team or manager is perfect and Klopp has got a lot right.you don’t get 76 points and a lot of goals with a completely shit defense. Get behind him and give him time to do his job and improve the defense unless we are to become another Newcastle with a merry go round of managers forced out by the fans. Hasn’t done them any favors. We can’t sign anyone until January so suck it up and get behind the team. Moan in the pub by all means but in the ground, support or don’t go because 50000 people on lovren/moreno/Henderson/mignonette/ can s back is a dream for the away teams manager. So much to play for this season.
“Mignolet”
Brilliant article, Mike. Well written and thought provoking.
Getting the offensive/defensive balance right in a side must be one of the most difficult things to do. You try fix the weak area but risk meddling with what’s working in the process. (The most balanced side I’ve been privileged to see was the team during Kenny’s first stint, and yes, Rafa’s 2008/9 chargers come to mind, too.)
I still think Klopp will find a better balance, but I do think we have to bed-in for the ride. Breath-taking attack, attack, attack … and moments of madness at the back with centre-halves exposed more than in other systems. Whether Klopp can find the balance consistently enough is obviously the question. If he can, it will lead to trophies. If he can’t, well, I personally don’t have the energy or inclination to entertain that notion just yet.
Couldn’t agree more Dale. Honeymoon period seems to be over but Klopp has big enough balls to stand up to those who expect miracles, it’s just going to make his job tougher. The way he turned last season round after the disastrous January / Feb – form and injuries – showed his pedigree.
I like this. First bit of sense I have seen from this site.
http://www.espn.co.uk/football/club/liverpool/364/blog/post/3201817/klopp-should-forget-trying-to-sort-liverpool-defence-and-embrace-the-chaos
“Unleash the fury and embrace the chaos.”
Klopp has a 3 season plan.
Last season (and a half …) was about how the team plays.
This season is about the attack.
Next year is about the defence.
The team is half-full not half-empty.
So I am gonna try and enjoy our attack, it could be memorable again.
“Beauty comes first. Victory is secondary. What matters is joy.”
If people recall Klopps pressers from the summer, it was clear he had more than contemplated the possibility he isn’t going to be here long. You can assume the job he was interviewed for has not materialised and there is regret. The support should be rallying against the owners who let Klopp, the club and the support down. Review those pressers. Whilst the manager is taking the hits, John Henry is laughing whilst contemplating £100m for Counting on knowing he only paid £300m for the entire club. Wake up.
Of course, it’s not either/or. It’s a matter of balance. Imagine the side now, if Klopp had got his two big summer targets, Keita and Van Dijk. It would have made a difference, two such dominant players down the spine of the team. One of them is coming next season, and the other may yet still arrive. Anyway, defending is a lot about organization rather than flair, and like attack, it’s a whole-team business. Klopp has improved our football hugely, whatever the stats say. We’re not far off now.
I agree with you Chris. Some people don’t give enough credit to what the past managers like Shanklu, Paisley and Rafa achieved in this matches that the team would grind out.
All of the above managers didn’t build the team to not win trophies and establish a winning mentality that would dominate.
At least Shankly and Paisley achieved this – bastion of invincibility and Rafa explored this when as Chris mentioned we thrashed both Real Madrid and Barcelona and Manchester teams.
I am hoping Klopp can revisit this notion that Shankly inspired in a balanced team.
I will take this over some occasional attacking entertainment football that leaves behind a trophy drought.
Don’t want to see United lifting the EPL title before we do. We may never come back from this.