ANFIELD yesterday was the perfect storm of good atmosphere and good performance with one feeding the other to produce a gust strong enough to blow away Manchester City.
Fired-up fans desperate for a statement win in the stands working hand in hand with committed players equally motivated for victory. They inspired us and we inspired them.
How it should be. And how the manager wants it to be. So why can’t it always be this way?
All over the pitch there were performances that inspired, none more so than Andy Robertson.
From the no-nonsense treatment of Raheem Sterling that eventually forced the Manchester City player’s substitution, to the incessant harrying and pressing that at one point took him into the territory of the opposition left back, the £8million summer signing from Hull City summed up the spirit that did for the league leaders.
Importantly though, it was recognised in song by those who had paid for the privilege of being present in the stands.
“Oh Andy, Andy… Andy, Andy, Andy Robertson” isn’t the most original of terrace chants but it doesn’t need to be. It did the job – it showed the player his efforts were appreciated, it inspired, it added to his confidence and by the defender’s own admission “it gives you goosebumps”.
Robertson’s pressing is even better with Swedish commentary. pic.twitter.com/c6v6ZM9594
— Kristian (@vonstrenginho) 15 January 2018
The Glaswegian, 23, who made his name at Dundee United before heading south to Hull added: “I can’t thank the fans enough for their support since day one. That is the best [atmosphere] I have played in.”
In a weekend when “banter” around Liverpool FC was pushed outside the ground and on TV in the form of a “funny” reworking of a song already in existence for Sadio Mane by a comedian from Cork, this was a reminder that fans inside the ground have a part to play that matters.
Jürgen Klopp’s ideal on and the off the pitch can’t be far away from what unfolded yesterday, from a midfield mucking in throughout, a frontline deadly when in sight of goal and supporters supporting; from the immaculate tribute to the passing of Tommy Lawrence, to the additional run through of You’ll Never Walk Alone on the final whistle.
If you’re out there digging in you must hear it, you must feel it, and when muscles ache and energy is low but you know you must go again wouldn’t you rather be urged on by passion and support rather than frustration and fury?
And it’s not just about us and our players. How does it make the opposition feel? Not all stories of the power of The Kop exist in ancient history despite the constant claims to the contrary.
As much as the eye-gouging pantomime villain is easy to hate, Jose Mourinho has repeatedly referenced the power of an Anfield on its game.
While at Chelsea, he said: “I like to play there, but I have to say that some people feel the atmosphere can be negative and affect the performance of the players. That’s not my case. First of all I don’t play.
“Everything about the day was superb – good performances all over the pitch, a great tribute to Tommy Lawrence, a fantastic atmosphere… 👏
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— The Anfield Wrap (@TheAnfieldWrap) 15 January 2018
“Secondly, I don’t think it affects my players’ performances, but in the past we have examples of it affecting performances, goals that are not goals, penalties given that aren’t penalties.”
The inference is clear. But Anfield needs to rise not only for semi finals of European Cups or a big tie with Borussia Dortmund, but also for the games dubbed routine or mundane.
Manchester City wasn’t that. The threads around the game were many. Man City arrived with a 30-game unbeaten run, plaudits gushing all around. It was televised. It had been hyped. Liverpool would seek revenge for a hammering at their place. Man City would look to put right an awful Anfield record and draw level with the Liverpool class of 1987-88 while further emphasising their credentials as a force to be feared.
Throw in two of world football’s top managers, rival cities, old money versus new money, big club of old versus big club wannabe and there was plenty to lift this fixture from the list and give it a special status. It was treated as such.
Nevertheless, Anfield did its bit, a fact recognised by a magnanimous Pep Guardiola after the match.
“We were involved in the environment from Anfield for many reasons and you have to try and be stable, especially for lessons in the knockout games in the Champions League,” said the Man City boss.
“You can concede a goal but you cannot lose.”
Reading between the lines, he appears to suggest the intensity in the ground, the volume, the edge engaged fans provides, got to his players.
Man City were booed. Liverpool were cheered. There were oles. The songbook was out. The crowd was partisan, as it should be but so often isn’t. Every decision was appealed. Opposition players were chastised; Liverpool players were supported.
On the pitch, the men in red ran and ran. They chased, followed, tackled, stood firm and ultimately conquered. Despite having so little of the ball, it was a match in which Liverpool emerged as top dogs. The battle – if not the war – won. And every step of the way that effort was applauded and recognised by three sides of the ground.
For supporters and players then, why not more of that? Fans recognised effort and commitment so players should provide more of it. Players appreciate support and songs and recognition so fans should provide more of it.
In the endless, circular, and often tiresome atmosphere debate, it seems one of the simpler theories out there. Bits to be done on both sides of the white line that separates pitch from seat.
Same again for West Brom then? It’s Saturday night after all. And who doesn’t hate Alan Pardew?
Bob Paisley once said of The Kop: “The whole of my life, what they wanted was honesty. They were not concerned with cultured football, but with triers who gave one hundred percent.”
Right now, it looks like we’ve got both. What’s not to love? The Reds are coming up the hill, boys.
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“It was partizan. It was what it should be as a football crowd. It supported our players, it booed their players. It appealed for every decision. Singing, shouting, screaming.”
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— The Anfield Wrap (@TheAnfieldWrap) 15 January 2018
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Pics: David Rawcliffe-Propaganda Photo
LOVED the booing and whistling at 1-0 and 2-1 yesterday. But to be slightly negative for second (sorry), I was fuming that we played YNWA over the tannoy at the final whistle, as Gareth mentions here. Surely we, Liverpool, one of the greatest teams in world football, expect to win our home games against any side and don’t do anything special just because it’s the Great Manchester City. I could feel the City fans reaching for their keyboards to type “their Cup final” or things to that effect. But just a short irritation in an otherwise brilliant afternoon
Yes defo agree with this lad. small time playing YNWA at the end, just let us sing it on our own anyway without the tannoy
This has been done for years after massive wins, even as far back as the 4-3 against Newcastle in 1996 – don’t be worried about what other fans think, we’ve always done it our own way. Up the reds.
When was the last time that a Liverpool and Scotland international player had his name chanted by the kop? Surely it’s can’t be Steve Nicol can it? Tremendous closing down by Robo the Scot – not highlighted on match of the day for some reason! Good honest article Gareth!
Gary Mac?
Around the time of the Seville and Chelsea draws there was a lot of flak heading Klopp’s way from certain quarters including some writers on this website. It all fuels negativity including the atmosphere in the ground which is the opposite of what home advantage is about, thankfully Klopp has big enough balls to handle it and stick to his plan.
18 matches unbeaten is some run for a ‘team that can’t defend’. Wonder how many times Rafa or Holluier went 18 unbeaten in an easier league??
Let’s get behind these magnificent lads. Not all of them are world class but there is no lack of effort and they deserve our support to see where, together, we can take this season to.
Great feature Gareth. When it comes down to it- that game was revenge. It was bubbling since Christmas and Klopp was having no distractions. Every player available was ready to give 100% and anyone not- was sold for £142m.
Before the off-The Kop chorused YNWA for Tommy Lawrence as a send off and gratitude to the 1st ‘Sweeper Keeper’. After the whistle blew- we swept their attacks away and between the team and the crowd, we blew them into submission. Sheer physical and mental exhaustion allowed a great team some late scoreline pride- but the game was won by the opening shot into their bowels and a nine minute maelstrom they never really recovered from.
Every player, bar keeper and a RB error aside, gave everything in their respective lockers and two in particular consolidated themselves as players we will smile for when we see their names on the teamsheets from now on- Robbo and Ox- new, but old school.
Great day, a defining day and a day that righted a wrongful assertion derived after a wrongful referee decision last September.
Walk on Reds, Pete
You have missed the point of the article. “Every player bar keeper” gave everything, support must be universal and too often its not. If Karius was cheered rather than heckled maybe he will improve, if Can is encouraged rather than abused then maybe we see that level of performance every week. I’ve always maintained that with the crowd 100% on it, we win 19 home games a season and a title with it.
Reading this tonight has just brought Sunday’s game flooding back. It was electric and the whistling and jeering every time City got the ball definitely played a part in their demise. In the case of our 3rd and 4th goal we should all be given points for ‘assists’ because that’s what we did. More of the same is required – on both sides of the whitewash!!