“WE’RE the best behaved supporters in the land (when we win),” goes the chant. “We’re a right shower of bastards when we lose,” it adds. Perhaps it’s time for amendment to that last line in 2017. Because that’s been an accurate description of much of the support’s behaviour since the draw at home to Southampton.
The usual caveat of Liverpool’s support being so wide and large applies. No one can ever gauge the collective opinion of so many with any degree of accuracy.
But the internet means you can get a general idea. The groans in the ground are another indicator. Then there’s your immediate circle — friends, family, people you work with.
A far too widely accepted pre-match opinion seemed to be that Liverpool would fuck it up at West Ham. Spurs recent defeat to their London rivals was a sure sign of that apparently. And when the pressure is on, Liverpool crack, right?
Doubts are understandable, but a mindset of misery? Where’s the perspective?
A similar line of thinking was present among some members of the media in Jürgen Klopp’s press conference last week. If the games against West Ham and Middlesbrough were cup finals of sorts, well Liverpool aren’t great at them was the gist. And, it went on: neither for that matter is the manager.
No matter that the League Cup final with Manchester City went to a penalty shoot-out. Or that Liverpool had played so well in a half in Basel versus Seville.
And what about all the other big games Liverpool had performed well in since Klopp’s arrival? Manchester United, Dortmund, Villarreal? Chelsea, Manchester City, Arsenal? The Derby?
A tricky away as well, well we’d won a few of them lately. And 70 points compared to many of the recent years — well it’s hardly the season from hell, is it?
Yet doom and gloom seemed to be the mood of choice pre kick off. Everyone set for the inevitability of disappointment.
It’s something the manager has picked up on regularly. Post Watford he mentioned it, saying it was just like Liverpool fans to pick up on a negative despite three points being in the bag (secured by the goal of the season).
He’s right isn’t he?
Despite all the appeals from Klopp – almost every press conference, almost every column in the programme – Anfield’s atmosphere remains missing in action all too often. Blame what you like for that, but chief among the guilty parties are the army of misery arses that identify as Reds.
As a group, have we become conditioned to nearly but not quite after 27 years of trying for you know what? Is the propensity to believe there is a kick in the teeth round the corner just human nature after what we have endured?
A double affirmative would be my guess. It frustrates the manager, that’s clear. And you can bet the players pick up on it too. Bombarding their social media accounts with negativity will drip into their psyche no matter how strong their characters are and how big their bank balances may be. They’re only human after all.
So why so many doubts at so many turns? Even in the good times?
As Klopp has pointed out, he isn’t that manager. And they aren’t those players. So many of the situations that play on repeat when it comes to worrying about Liverpool and their past performances are nothing to do with the current crop. They were not at the scene of the crime in so many of the disappointments.
This season’s body of evidence? Well, OK. There are clear mistakes. Obvious poor performances. But should they be lugged around on our backs and thrown down the moment there is the slightest hint of a repeat? Again, that’s how it feels all to often for so many that pay their way to watch this club.
What Liverpool have done today though is stuck up a glorious two fingers to the doubters. To the supporters who said they had “no chance” today – to the naysayers who talked about “knowing what comes next”. There’s the Reds, fronting them, chest out arms back, a knowing nod. We’re alright, us.
This is a good Liverpool side. It’s disappointing that we’re not that bit higher in the league, that we haven’t got those few more points that would make all the difference. But sights had to be recalibrated. That they were, and that the players have manufactured a situation where one more win guarantees a shot at the Champions League is a positive, as are the points on the board and as is the different ways Liverpool have won those points.
In over a quarter of century of watching the Reds I’ve been part of a final day of the season crowd that had nothing to excite it more times than I care to remember — we’ve watched glorified friendlies as minds have drifted to what could be the following season over and over. This season? It might not be a trophy we’re playing for a week today, but it’s close — it’s vital for the club. In terms of recruitment, reputation, motivation, standing, honour, and simply a fresh challenge to inspire — Liverpool needs Champions League football. Regularly.
Klopp’s mantra has always been that we need to shift from being doubters to believers. The real Liverpool stood up today. Forget West Ham, what they did and didn’t do and what their motivation might or might not have been. Instead, celebrate the Reds and believe in what they did. Attitudes were set right. The desire was obvious. Hunger was there. There was a snap and a fluidity to Liverpool that at times had been missing. Ultimately, the superior quality shone through. Philippe Coutinho and Daniel Sturridge were at their best.
https://twitter.com/OptaJoe/status/863764316755030016
https://twitter.com/OptaJoe/status/863755534855540736
With all that in mind, and only one hurdle to jump, how about now as a test of seeing if we can finally answer the manager’s call for creating the right type of Anfield?
Doubt was everywhere pre West Ham, surely now with only relegated Middlesbrough to come, we can as a collective believe?
The ground needs to be a good place come Sunday. The last game with an objective at the end of it — something that can benefit us all. Why wouldn’t you make it a positive place? Why wouldn’t you back our boys and slate theirs? Scream for every decision? Act like what has traditionally been accepted as a football supporter? Get there early. Sing, shout, make a noise; make a difference.
The bevy post match is going to taste all the sweeter with Champions League football at the end of the rainbow so let’s make it happen. Save the shower of bastards routine for another day. Bring some sunshine. Make it boss. Make the players feel 10 foot tall.
They deserve it. And so do we.
Up the Reds.
West Ham 0 Liverpool 4: Match Ratings
West Ham 0 Liverpool 4: Match Review
West Ham 0 Liverpool 4: The Pink – Our Post-Match Podcast
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Well in. Next weekend is everything, the key to a door that’s been too long locked.
Up The European Elite Reds!
Aye aye Ray, come and stay at mine when we play PSG and meet my 6 foot tall french red of a lad !
Good luck with that Gareth. The same shower of moaners will be there next week and if we’re not 3-0 up after 20 they’ll be shitting their kecks with worry. If we are 3-0 up they’ll probably be singing for the first time this season.
When we went up 3-0, I went “F— me, here comes Crystal Palace all over again. They’re going to start thinking about goal difference. My poor downtrodden heart can’t take this.”
Generally, when it comes to Liverpool and life generally, I’m a fair optimist. I can’t tell you how many conversations I’ve had where I’ve said, “Don’t give up on the lad/manager just yet.” I’m a big believer in patience and redemption. I guess that’s close enough to faith.
But damn if this club hasn’t kicked me in the heart. It’s enough to drive a man to drink. And it has.
I really, really, really wish it wasn’t coming down to the last week. Being ahead then tailing off late in the season. Playing a rubbish team that by all rights we should march over like blades of grass.
I am a doubter. I am plagued by doubts. But lord if that isn’t what the song is about. YNWA is not about a triumphal procession. It’s about channeling all that darkness and doubt into hope and joy and never finding yourself truly alone in that storm. After that, well, there’s a golden sky to be had.
Loving that Robbo.
Let’s hope your voice gets heard and 50 thousand cheer these Redmen over the line.
Up these Mighty Reds.
Totally agree. Visiting and attending a match at Anfield should be treated with great reverence as an amazing experience. Fans are part of that experience, the atmosphere they create as a means of supporting and encouraging their team is what can drive a team to win games and perform well. The experience would hopefully be a fun one too, for both players and spectators. I struggled to get a ticket to a match at Anfield, so seeing people not get fully behind the team for the full 90+ mins is really frustrating and heartbreaking. An Anfield experience should not be walked out on until the final whistle blows, and even then there is something special to be had by staying a while longer.
I can only watch on the telly but I think our away fans have been magnificent over the course of the season. No hedging of bets there, just brilliant support whichever team we’re playing. I mute the sound sometimes when we play at Anfield because the nervousness from the crowd is too much to take. It would be great if there is a good atmosphere, but hopefully we’ll win 7-0 regardless.
“But should they be lugged around on our backs and thrown down the moment there is the slightest hint of a repeat?”
So true. And all the rest of the article.
I started to begin wondering if some Reds feel miserable every season for over 25 years now since the last title? Top 4 is realism and no lack of ambition, but you obviously aim for more in secret. – But after a while I realised, that most of these hysterical voices are from kids or die-hard Carragher fans.
I’ll admit, ashamedly, that at the beginning of the week I thought our arses would go if Arsenal won their 2 aways. Then come Thursday after they beat Southampton I thought “fuck this, we’ll beat these Sunday”. Even after they destroyed Stoke yesterday I was confident.
I’m not a hopeless optimist, just don’t see the point in negativity.
I thought that we would beat West Ham. I’m more concerned by Boro but I still think the result will be the same. I’m a believer.
I’m also a pragmatist and it seems to be forgotten that 4th is merely a shot at the CL proper, not a place within. It’s better to have a chance than no chance at all, but I’m not sure it solves all our problems.
Hopefully Westbrom come through for us and 3rd remains in our sights. I’m a baggie believer!
I’m with you on that because I knew West ham would not park the bus and so we would find the gaps to deliver the goods. This week-end we just need to go all out from the start and Jurgen can help by putting out the same side with Firmino ready from the bench.
The problem is that Anfield is full of tourists, not fans.
Concessions for inner-city Liverpudlians would be great. The ones that can’t get there currently would scream for their life if they got the chance.
Its sad that its become like that. A place full of tourists, said like its a bad thing. Im Norwegian, and i’ve been to away games like the one yesterday. And there are many different nationalities on away games, with the majority, off course, liverpudlians. I’ve sang my ass off, come monday, im on the phone at work sounding like i’ve just finished two packs of marlboro reds and drank a bottle of whiskey even though i dont smoke. Do you know what kind of respect and admiration for liverpool the city and the club alike it takes for me to stow away enough money to buy tickets, and accomodation, and plane tickets, to go to see the club i love? years ago, we were met with awe, “oh really, you’re scando? f**in aye mate, get in. Now I’ve been in scuffs and arguments, saying “us” norwegians steal your ticket, as if it were my fault the ticket prices are up the bollocks. and its sad, its deviding us as a fanbase. for my 30th birthday, my sisters bought me tickets to liverpool vs arsenal, via an online agent, paid a shit ton of money for it, is it our fault though? that they actually charge that amount of money and we gladly pay for it rather than watch our own bs football here in Norway? did you see San Marino actually putting one in the net vs Norway? a f*** baker did that! He probably still gets laid because of it. My sister and her husband and two kids along with me and my mates were sat on annie road, and the arsenal fans were right. its a library. divided fans, people who are afraid to sing ynwa because they’re not “worthy” enough of it. and that is sad. what happened to the joy and love and,” whoa, youre a scando? get in lad, come for a bevvy with us, have you heard the mccallister song? no ? here it goes” made me feel like one of you. my point is, i understand the frustration, but dont blame the actual “tourist”.
Haha, you’re being used as a convenient scapegoat. The ground has over 40k people who are regulars but some find it easier to blame ‘tourists’. Most people understand the real reasons for the lack of atmosphere and if ‘tourists’ do play a part in it then it’s a very small one. Everybody is to blame not just tourists.
+1. I think people over estimate the size of the planes landing at John Lennon from Stockholm on a Sat morning. Pretty sure it isn’t 10 A380’s all with tickets.
Ignore him mate. I’m a scouse match-goer and realise most of the moaning comes from locals.
Years ago I’d have been all for local only etc. That was until I realised how much of us locals actually moan like fuck and a part of the poisoning of the atmosphere.
Well said Jimmy. I do think in general that more youth is the answer to getting a consistently positive and loud atmosphere, and that includes a core of local youth. But no way are the tourists the biggest reason for the crap atmosphere at the ground. It’s toxic for the players and the supporters – I’ve seen more than a few scuffles break out for the reasons Norwegian mentions. It’s hostile in many ways but just not for the opposition.
Good to see this fine reminder from Gareth and agree with every word. The funny thing is we have some supporters who genuinely claim the atmosphere has no bearing on how the team perform. People that actually go to games say this, as if they’ve never witnessed the extra intensity and confidence that a booming crowd can bring. Not to mention the intimidation for the away side.
Careful there Road3j, I as a wool myself made that exact point months ago and was called racist , ageist, and maybe a homophobe, I can’t remember. It’s just a fact that we can’t have the exact same affinity for the club as local Scousers have. The lads have to do a show on season tickets even though it gets shot down every week on Wildcards . I work in the Irish Republic in a fucking warehouse with 2 guys that get between them 19 tickets for every home game through some loyalty scheme where if you manage to get to 10 home games you’re guaranteed a home ticket for every game the following season. So you have a scenario where 2 lads from Cork basically act as ticket touts selling unwanted tickets to locals. That’s wrong on so many levels I don’t know where to start.
Moaning constantly at those who moan at the club is just as bad. And this “I told you so, you shouldn’t ever be worried” thing smacks of being preachy and sanctimonious.
Yes, it would be great if everyone was optimistic all the time about Liverpool without having anything to be negative about. I am generally optimistic myself.
But the reality of the world we live in is that it has a significant percentage of people who are naturally not optimists. So how about we just deal with it and let people support the club the best way they can.
Writers such as Gareth perpetuate the myth that Liverpool fans had always sung and been positive all through the glory years of the 70s and 80s. But I can assure you there were Anfield games in which fans back then would have had a moan too. Just because we see it more on social media nowadays doesn’t mean such things didn’t exist back then.
Up the Boro bashing Reds anyway. Sturridge to sign off the season with a hat trick.
We’re not all optimists for sure. But is 50,000 L4 Private Frasers all shouting ‘We’re all doomed…. Dooomed’ going to help the players performance levels out on the pitch in a tight match? Away support is great. We can’t let the boo boys have their way at home just coz they pay their money and for me Gareth and TAW are entitled to take that argument on as it does affect the team. Itony is that any opposing manager team talk is ‘keep it tight and crowd will get on their back’ – not exactly sucking the ball into the back of the net. This season can be a big step forward and we need to get behind those lads next week, even more so if 2-0 after 30 mins. Thought against Southampton the crowd stayed with the lads all the way.
Pessimism is human nature and is conditioned by the experiences in our lifetime. Considering the grassroots generation of the glorious 70’s and 80’s are now in their forties, plenty of bad experiences have been accumulated since then.
To point out the obvious, success breeds optimism and vise versa. So from a fan-player relationship on match day, it works both ways.
I don’t know what the solution is. Maybe we need to nurture the current grassroots who are not burdened by the last two decades to be more vocal.
A side note. It’s hard to drum up optimism in my eight year old when all his mates are in Chelsea and Manc jersey.