Neil Atkinson’s post-match review after Liverpool 2 Crystal Palace 0 in the Premier League at Anfield in front of 10,000 supporters…
AND there we are.
It’s strange to think that Liverpool are all of a sudden third; it’s strange to think that was ever a thing.
And there we are.
He scores his second and Liverpool’s second and it almost overcame you. Sadio Mane’s brace left as the only game in town, the only great game. The only excellence from those who needed it. He scores his second and our second. He scores all the fist pumps, all the vitality, he scores and it is the reason to be alive.
And there we are.
Two centre halves end up bleeding. The pair have shown how you don’t need to be the best player in the world. You don’t need to be someone anyone has heard of. You don’t need all the talk. You just need to be prepared to put shoulder to the wheel and force the issue. They manage that over and over.
Imagine their coaching. Imagine the conversations. Imagine what they get told and how that becomes part of the way they look at the game. There could have been no better education than what the last few weeks has been.
And there we are.
Gini Wijnaldum turns out to be the world’s best man. A very great player and a wonderful man who commits himself to this side. He’s been the very best of us. He’s done the day to day job over and over. When he was need to be what was required he was there. His goals to big games ratio is astonishing. Certainly in comparison to most.
There have been few footballers who have ever stood up to be counted for Liverpool Football Club as Gini Wijnaldum. He’s the very best of us. The very best full stop.
And there we are.
The game ends up very mundane full stop. The better side wins 2-0. Mohamed Salah is clearly the best player on the pitch. There are no surprises. Liverpool push Crystal Palace outside of their comfort zones. They make it unbearable. They are the better side. It’s Liverpool’s game.
And there we are.
And there we are.
As a year goes this has been absolutely exhausting. As our lives go nothing could have been harder. I, personally, can’t think of anything kinder than all the ways you have treated me and these words. We have been into all of this together. I know what we all wanted. But we wanted the essential things over and over. We wanted the blood and bone and in a way Liverpool offered that.
I’ve been cross this year and I apologise. Unresolved anger through football is not an answer. It’s a terrible sentence. I want more for us.
The more is coming. Liverpool will have European Champions League football and there we are.
There is a job to be done. Being the best team in England and Europe.
And there we are. Your paint’s in mine. Seasons change. I tried hard just to soften you. As it breaks. The summer will wake.
Nothing will win itself. But Liverpool can win everything. So into these.
And there we are. Thank you. As ever it has been a pleasure. As ever I miss you. As ever yours.
Have a lovely summer. Trophies to win.
Neil
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Glorious stuff, Neil – thank you. It’s not a match unless I’ve read the review afterwards. As for today, the season? Thank God. The overriding feeling – relief. Relief that it’s over but also overwhelming relief and satisfaction that from the depths of mid-winter, we’ve come through. Third – fucking yes. Not because it’s an incredible achievement in itself, but because of the adversity that had to be forded to get there. There was a point after we started this run where I was thinking “FFS, why didn’t Jurgen just trust in Nat and co ages ago? Why’d he leave it so/too late?” But that’s his genius. He knew throwing them in too soon would cost us more in the long run. That’s why he’s the best manager in the world, literally the best. He was given eggs and won a Michelin star by making omelettes you wouldn’t believe. He coached the lads to be better, he coached them to champions form. Jose couldn’t do it, Ole wouldn’t have a clue, Pep wouldn’t even try, he’d lash £50m at it first. So this has to be up there with the greatest managerial feats this club has ever seen, especially given all the individual circumstances behind the scenes, the pain and the heartbreak. What a man. We will never go wrong with him leading us forward.
So let’s have a nice relax for ourselves, hope no one gets knackered at the euros, hope Covid fucks off, hope we’re back and fine tuned in August with a few classy additions in the right places and everyone fit and firing and packed houses raring to go. Already, I can’t wait. Enjoy the summer folks – next season we take the lot.
You know Neil, you are a total institution now, certainly in my life…. and a hugely significant and enjoyable part of the match day experience. Thankyou kindly as always from a red in New Zealand. Best wishes to you and yours for the summer.
In the season from hell, there are 17 teams worse than us in the premier league. Can you imagine what we could have achieved without the outrageous injuries & personal tragedies?? Not to mention the lack of fans (yes i know that was the same for all teams, but some are more used to it than others). It speaks volumes for the calibre of our manager & the spirit of our team. Roll on next season
Great writing but I have to disagree on Wijnaldum. In my opinion, and I suspect I’m not alone in this; he’s not a great player. I’m not even sure he qualifies as a good player. Yes I know he’s scored some crucial goals in the champions league but when you’re surrounded by greatness even the most average player chips in with the occasional goal. It’s what he brings to the game, adds to the team week in week out that makes a player great. Gini over the last 5 years has brought very little to the game and added little to the team on a regular basis. Picking the ball up and passing it off without any penetration. How many of his passes have been defence splitting? How many times did he put in a 30 yard cross field pass landing on a sixpence? Very often watching games it’s felt like the team’s been playing with ten men because Gini has been a passenger. Look at his stats as a player; throughout his Liverpool career (in the league) he’s had 249 shots on target and scored 19. His shooting accuracy is 37% and his cross accuracy 23%. Just look at this season, 2 goals and 0 assists. Even if we make a case for him being more of a defensive his tackle success is a modest 64% and he’s lost more duels than he’s won. He’s only had 8 yellow cards in 5 seasons and no reds. So to sum up; he doesn’t score, he doesn’t assist, his passing is, well, poor, he doesn’t get his foot in and tackle so what does he do/what did he do? Made up the numbers. I’m made up he’s leaving. I’m made up someone else will take his place and the team will be playing with 11 players. I do wish him well but I’m sorry I wont miss him.
where’s my comment
I often wondered why there aren’t many comments on the articles. Now I Know. Good luck with the censorship campaign comrades.