I USED to say this:
Delusion leads to hope.
Hope leads to belief.
Belief leads to achievement.
If you can’t kid yourself you can do something, then you just can’t do it.
That definitely remains true. The maxim is correct. The thing is this:
Liverpool have skipped the first two steps.
Delusion and hope aren’t really important anymore. We no longer need to hope we have a decent side. We just need to believe we have a very good one.
I used to say this:
Liverpool are one of the biggest clubs in the world. Top 10 at least.
I am beginning to wonder if we may be the biggest. In terms of active support. In terms of people being prepared to step outside their houses with groups of mates, to meet up in bars, to come to football stadia. We might be the biggest.
Support is always about being active. One way or another it is defined by doing, wherever you are in the world.
We’ve ended our tour in Dublin where we have got to see a packed out Aviva Stadium full of active Reds. Full of people being a part of something.
These things are all linked. My perception of the events, the events themselves and the general feeling of momentum. Of Liverpool skipping steps.
Liverpool eased to victory against Napoli. Joe Gomez was of interest. Firstly, the length of time he got on the pitch and, secondly, how well he did with the opportunity when called into service. The feeling persists that if Ragnar Klavan played the other side the first day selection would be straightforward. But he doesn’t and it isn’t. Gomez could well chase this shirt down.
The whole 11 made you wonder about next week. No Fabinho but apart from that it could be pretty close to the team that lines up against West Ham United. Nathaniel Clyne did well enough at right back but he must harbour a minor concern this side has gone past him in his absence. James Milner scored and looked the part, dovetailing with Gini Wijnaldum.
Daniel Sturridge scored with his third good chance within eight minutes of arriving. Then he played the assist for the greatest goal Liverpool have ever scored. A 70-yard raking pass to Alberto Moreno who eased passed one and leathered it home. He may well wonder if he can push in there for the first week.
Naby Keita still had a look of Flash at the end of the first Incredibles movie. Just don’t go too fast yet. Keep it under.
The new ‘keeper was sublime with his feet but fumbled an early effort. Alisson imposed himself with his character beyond that fumble. He was constantly available and pushing high, and asked to control all sorts especially in the first half.
Curtis Jones was excellent in his 25 minutes. He loves to play, loves tight corners, loves the ball to feet. He put Dominic Solanke in late in the game with a tremendous ball. He understands what his manager wants. He is what a Liverpool player looks like now.
We don’t have to kid ourselves about Liverpool. The real business starts next weekend. But we don’t have to tell lies to be excited. This is a season where Liverpool are genuinely capable of anything. Anything covers a multitude. They are capable of winning the title. Capable of finishing fifth. Capable of doing either and winning the Champions League.
It’s the end of our tour and all I know is that any excitement had about these Reds is justified and real. It’s the start of August and they are making it a joy to be alive.
You can ask no more.
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If we start winning the Premier League, only Real Madrid will compare to Liverpool globally. Barcelona will drop back when Messi retires. Man Utd are a club without direction and in decline.
Liverpool are climbing back to the top and we’ll get there under Klopp. But the title is needed ASAP.
PS: Sign Fekir. Or Isco.
why sign Fakir if Curtis Jones , Brewster Studge Shaqiri can all play AM type role …would prefer another top class CB as Gomez Klaven Degsy al ok but not VvD level. what happens if VvD injured ?
We played well within ourselves against the Serie A runners up and the score could easily have been 8-1, at least! I know Napoli are a week behind us in preparation but these are good players with high hopes for next season, they would certainly not have expected to lose so heavily and did put a shift in. We look in good shape and I can’t wait to see us actually go for a win rather than build up fitness and cohesion. Last season the talk was of ‘rhythm’, if we get off to a good start in the league I can see us getting that rhythm going! Great to see that Fabinho and Shaqiri are going to add class to the squad, and in Allison and Keita we have two stars in the making. Having the real Daniel Sturridge back is such a bonus too.
Absolutely love the kind of footballer Curtis Jones apparently is. What Brendan Rodgers thought he was buying in Luis Alberto, we seem to have had at the academy all along. Should’ve probably played him when he was 12.
Some young players improve just by playing at a higher level while some take time to adjust. Jones, Camacho & Philips all look like they fall into the former category, while Woodburn, Grujic & Ojo the latter. Still no guarantee that any of them will break through, but Jones looks nailed on if his current trajectory continues.
Luis Alberto was a player who made sense for 12/13 when we were still thinking in terms of tiki taka possession football, but 13/14 was about speed and malice. Where does Alberto get a game in that diamond? Not a bad player, but one for another time or another league.
Curtis Jones would have made little sense in 12/13, but under the current iteration of Klopp football he makes perfect sense.
Thought we were brilliant from start to finish today. Gomez impressed along side Van Dijk while the front 3 looked like they hadn’t been apart all summer. The most encouraging thing was we didn’t have any passengers. Napoli finished 2nd in Serie A on 90 odd PTS and we took the piss at times. They didn’t get a kick. What was also pleasing that there wasn’t a drop off in performance when we made 6 changes 2nd half. Our 8th pre season game and it shows. We look sharp. We look at it. The positivity surrounding our club continues and I can’t wait for next weekend. Bring on the 18/19 season!!! YNWA
I was impressed with Fabinho. Always available, comfortably took the ball when he had opposition around him, nice one-touch passes and good vision too. Not flashy, but very effective.
Shakiri looked good again, especially when he dropped into the 10 position. He might be just turn out to be a tremendous sub, especially when teams park the bus (United, I’m thinking of you).
Mane/Salah/Sturridge/Milner/van Dijk were what you’d expect them to be … leaders.
Despite my best efforts, I’m beginning to feel dangerously optimistic about this side. I love watching them play and I’m really hoping to watch them win. Klopp’s enthusiasm, generosity of spirit and sheer positivity is reflected in the team. We’re lucky to have him/them right this minute. Let’s enjoy it.
It’s Dash, not Flash.
I’m a terrible person.
This is a season where Liverpool are genuinely capable of anything. Anything covers a multitude. They are capable of winning the title. Capable of finishing fifth. Capable of doing either and winning the Champions League.
This. Exactly this.
Brilliantly written
Liverpool did well, though I felt some of the players still looked out of shape perhaps from fatigue.
Napoli had their chances in those moments, and a week more into it, and they would have probably put those away.
For me it’s still preseason with one game to go. Matip and Lallana are out with injury and Milner’s head looks a bit like Frankenstein. I hope these three recover in time.
I am really excited to see how the new players fit in. So far they look like they’re coming up to speed, and I think Jurgen will get them firing on all cylinders by the time we have gone 10 games into the season.
Listening to Jurgen speak in his interview I really makes me wish he achieves the impossible before he leaves LFC for good — he deserves much more. What a wonderful leader we have.
Can’t wait for next Sunday.
Come on you Reds!
It was Dash in the Incredibles movie, not Flash.
That spoiled the whole article for me.
It’s only a friendly but you can’t not be optimistic for next season…