EIGHTY eight points. I whisper things the city sings them back to you.
I am my age. I can’t argue with the facts on that one. I am my age. These lads have more points than anyone since 1988, at which point it was 90 points from 40 games.
The 78-79 team were a great set of lads – 98 from 42 that year. They must have been incredible you know. What a football team. They barely conceded a goal. Sixteen in 42 games. I mean, wow. The very law of averages would expect something different.
This one, though. This one you know. This one – 88 points now. They are the thesis of our prayers. Just pieces of the layers.
We can – and we will – talk about today in and of itself but today means they are better in the post-92 era than any of those who came before them. With three games to go.
I am my age. You are yours. You will know what you have seen and lived through. But if you are reading this now, what a time to be alive. Imagine that, Easter Weekend, and this is the best football team of your Liverpudlian lives.
The City sings them back to you. Pep Guardiola yesterday said that Man City were up against the best ever Liverpool side. It would be right to be scared of that; would be right to understand the scope of that.
James Milner said this week that if Liverpool win the next seven they will win at least one trophy. They have now won one of those seven.
I love that Milner said that. I love that he has become one of ours. I met him once, interviewed him – liked him if it matters. He had jokes and he had style and he had set-up punchline and that is different to jokes but a thing.
Today was in one sense horrendous. Adam and Ben had lost their heads at the break. They were struggling to compute and copy. It meant too much but Liverpool hadn’t been especially good, Liverpool hadn’t been at their best, and the whole thing felt sticky and hard to get to the good stuff like bad ribs.
Liverpool’s lads had opened the door three times but for the first time in a while you worried the front three weren’t going to oblige.
They didn’t. But it was fine.
It was fine because Jordan Henderson, Gini Wijnaldum, and especially Naby Keita were the absolute business. It was fine because Liverpool had scouted their own corner routine. It was fine because Liverpool had too much for Cardiff in every area of the pitch. When Wijnaldum scores it is simply the best, simply the achievement you have been waiting for. Simply our Sunday Candy.
There have been few as special but let’s chat about Naby Keita. While on the pitch he was the absolute business in and out of possession; he was Liverpool’s best and most pleasing midfielder, he was the liveliest of the lively. Imagine marking him. It would be awful. He is delivering right now in the most direct way.
Cardiff should have equalised. A forcefield keeps the ball away from the goal and it is exactly what Liverpool need.
From that point they are almost impeccable. The arrival of James Milner for an unfortunate Fabinho changes the game. Milner is the liveliest and the most certain. There is something about him and Henderson right now which is never going to stop. And Milner’s penalty proves irresistible and Liverpool are home and everything feels like it can’t get any better.
The reality is there is one thing we need; them to drop points. Manchester City to drop points. But in a sense I am with the manager. We can do our thing and our thing is its own thing; our thing is sacred. It is just gorgeous. I’ve been waiting for Liverpool for this whole week; praying for Liverpool, our Sunday candy.
What they do is their business. I am 38 years old. I am my age. And I am watching the best I have seen.
Acclaim them. Love them. There is nothing but this from this stage. These are our lads. I can’t let go.
We get to watch them five more times minimum. Three more times in the league.
It’s 35 down. 3 to go. You got to move it slowly. Like it’s holy. I’ve been waiting for these for years, you know. I’ve been waiting for them since 1990. Three to go, Reds.
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Saying this only because I forgot to say it ages ago: get Milly on the coaching staff from next year. He’s a precious commodity and on the basis of what we’ve seen so far, possible future boss material. As in, in a post-JK decade or so. He’s the business. Moe please can we win the league.
Moe = Now
There’s rumours of Milly going to Leeds if they get promoted …
I have to agree. However Milner is still a capable player and will probably wish to go back to Leeds.
3 more points, relentless. I love it when the sun shines for the lads from Brazil and Africa. For some stupid reason, despite the millions they get paid, i feel a bit sorry they have to run around in our miserable winters. They all battle on, whatever the weather. In unity. What a great bunch of lads. I felt disheartened after city spurs yesterday. Just can’t see them dropping points now. These lads will fight on together till the end. The perfect antidote.
Is there enough self-respect within the Manchester United squad to be ashamed of their thrashing by Everton? Their is talent there, no
question. But are they ashamed enough to actually try to beat City, even if it benefited LFC?
No
I am hoping that spanking yesterday spurs them on to getting a result against Man City at Old Trafford
Its frustrating to think we prob. won’t win the league with the points total we have
Just because we happen be in the time of one of the most expensive squad ever assembled
I cant see City not winning their remaining games – they have nothing but lower table dross to play (yes – I realise they have to play Man Utd – as I said – lower table dross)
Good news though – next year its only going to be us and them again and their team is starting to get over the hill
Man U are rubbish and Ole hasn’t a clue (some of the best news ever – his being appointed full time)
Chelsea will be starting from scratch again
Arsenal cant afford to buy anyone
And neither can Spurs
You keep the pressure on until the end and not throw the towel in already. every single person working at Melwood (including the players and manager) fully believe they can win the league. They dont sit there and think like that it is probably not going to happen. They are full of belief and in the end if it doesnt happen, then fair play to city. and it is not frustrating because man city deserve the title if they win it. We lost to one of the greatest sides in history of world football (not just England but the world). No shame in that. We go again next season.
Exactly
City have 3 aways. Look at who they are at;
Man Utd who have been recently spanked by Everton, embarrassed by Barca and basically embarrassed by themselves. They need to redeem themselves. Another defeat at home and their supporters will lose the plot. Let’s not forget that Man Utd are in with a chance still of top 4 qualification.
Burnley away. Sean Dyke and Co will be themselves. They won’t be taking it easy and definitely not at home. This one is classed as a North West derby and they will be up for this.
Leicester and one Brendan Rodgers. He will again want to beat City and get Leicester high up the league.
Whilst you might not feel it, there plenty of hard games left for City
Every chance of them being held to a draw by either Burnley or Leicester who are both in decent form. Utd might just find some self respect and give it a go on Wednesday- but not holding my breath. Rather have our fixtures than theirs – and if they win their 4 then they deserve it.
Exactly. These games will not be easy for City.
Exactly, nothing is won or lost yet. We keep believing and piling on the pressure and see if City wobble. Some signs of them creaking over past week.
There’s been games that without the officials help that they would not have won. Just need the officials to start officiating like VAR and who knows what may happen
At my age (61) I’ve seen a few good Liverpool sides. I don’t spend my time comparing and contrasting, but this is the most resilient and adaptable I’ve ever seen. Those qualities will give us 97 points. If that wins it, brilliant, if it doesn’t it doesn’t. No regrets and no looking back. We go again and win it next year.
I can only remember how old I am cos I’m the same digit as the season. This year 48 going on 49. I’ve seen better teams but I’ve never felt the satisfaction would be more than it would be this season. We really did used to take it for granted.
love the Milner comment: if we win the next seven we will win at least one trophy. with that mentality within the squad you wouldn’t bet against them
From the mouth of that bad git Warnock, via BBC:
“I think Jurgen should do a job swap with me for a week,” Warnock joked.
“They are doing that well, he should let me have his team for a week and he should come and have mine.”
What a horrific concept to imagine. The second coming of Roy Hodgson that would be. Tell ya what Neil, any chance they are doing well partly because they’re being managed by Jürgen Klopp, not a daft old tit like yourself?
As you have rightly pointed out, there’s actually a reason that Warnock doesn’t get the top jobs.
Warnock maybe should have tried working Mainz up to promotion for their first time ever as their longest serving manager instead of just getting sacked repeatedly. Then maybe he could take Dortmund from also rans to winning the double before coming to Liverpool. Maybe then he wouldn’t be such a shit talking wanker.
Exactly
“The 78-79 team were a great set of lads – 98 from 42 that year. They must have been incredible you know. What a football team. They barely conceded a goal. Sixteen in 42 games. I mean, wow. The very law of averages would expect something different.”
28 clean sheets then. Amazing that they didn’t win the European Cup.
Really enjoyed the game. So happy to see Gini score. He and all of us no doubt needed that goal.
Loved watching United get a hiding at the hands of Everton. That gnome Gary Neville ranting on Sky was quite comical. It looks like United have swapped places with Liverpool.
Just need them to show some pride on Wednesday.
With three matches to go we have amassed a points total that in fourteen previous Premier League seasons would have been sufficient to win the league. It’s worth thinking about that. It shouldn’t be forgotten or swept along with the absurdly high level set in the Premier League this season.
This side is everything you could want.
Superb writing Neil. This is a side of greatness which might only be stopped winning the title on an incredible 97 points by the outlier that is the lottery winning City. It shouldn’t detract from how incredible they have been – and will be. Klopp is building a squad capable of challenging for seasons to come.