The international break is usually a time to rest and regroup, but Liverpool have still been active participants in the news cycle…
IT can be hard to find content during an international break.
I’ve considered everything from a detailed breakdown of the point projections for Watford, Leeds, Burnley and Everton to an alternative running commentary of Will Smith’s Oscars slap in the voice of Peter Drury:
“Beyond award worthy, devoid of humility, this was a moment captured under A-list light with thumping sobriety and dramatics usually reserved for the call of ‘action’ from behind the camera.”
Something like that.
In truth, a lot has happened in the world of Liverpool. Without actual football, the odyssey of this enterprise becomes increasingly stark. You’re often left pondering why you’re anywhere near such a circus until you recall The Reds and their modest brilliance in a fleeting 90 minutes twice weekly.
We’re in this for the authenticity of a game we love. For a manager and team we relate to and because there remains a sense of purpose and community present.
But consider the below a flash of nonsensical paradigm shifting to existing space we now occupy — where altered reality, brazen greed and blatant bullshitting is par for the course.
Jordan Henderson, Harry Maguire and what “we have become”
The Liverpool captain seemed to rile his own cohort of Top Reds with his defence of Harry Maguire this week. Many still have Joe Gomez being booed for being assaulted by the Three Lions’ faithful fresh in the memory.
That the Manchester United captain is now playing Wembley villain is no shock to anyone, but the question should be posed: why does this self-entitled and graceless attitude run through a set of supporters with no trophy success in almost 60 years in the form of relentless narcissistic drivel?
Seems I’ve answered my own question.
Mohamed Salah and his ongoing torment
Salah was again subject to a torrid encounter with Egypt when facing Senegal this week, missing a penalty while lasers lit him up like a disco ball, before having to be heavily escorted off the pitch.
His contract negotiations continue to remain at an impasse with Liverpool, but his general attitude is never anything but exemplary. He has been a shining light and a credit to this club and city and remains so. Another reminder to enjoy him while he’s here.
He is appreciated. He will be again on Saturday at Anfield.
Liverpool legends: Are we not entertained?
Nice seeing Liverpool players from past generations having a kick about, wasn’t it?
It does something existentially terrifying to your psyche seeing Steven Gerrard chop and turn slower than replays used to show him at. Or watching Dirk Kuyt — a fella who’s running was probably single-handedly responsible for Liverpool needing to relay the Anfield turf around 2010, well, walking.
You’ll forgive names like Bjorn Tore-Kvarme popping up as legends, because with the array of quality knocking around in line with who didn’t feature, it reminds you that we’ve seen some special players at Anfield, and been privileged to do so.
Rivaldo, by the way, pristine footballer in pristine Mizunos. Some things never change.
Manchester City and the loneliness of commercial superiority
Just days after City lauded themselves and pointed all success at the door of their commercial team following Deloitte’s latest Money League rankings had them top, tickets for their Champions League quarter-final with Atletico Madrid went on general sale to the public.
The rhetoric from City fans of affordability is always valid and shouldn’t be mocked, but it again perfectly encompasses their overall operational inconsistencies.
If we were ever serious about FFP regulations, we have now lost our entire grasp on any form of governance.
Up the NFT, LFC?
Liverpool have delved into the world of NFTs, then. I’m not going to lie; I have very little grasp of how they work. What I do know is they’re far beyond my level of interest and affordability.
Personally, this doesn’t betray any kind of club value anymore than putting a sign which says “McDonalds family stand” in The Kop, as we once did. I could be wrong, but if we avoid the equivalent of the club shop being shut the day after winning the Champions League then I guess it shows some sign of moving with the times.
The Henderson one is snide, though.
There you have it — two weeks without actual football filled with financial inequality, murky cryptographic token introduction, feeling evermore removed from national ethics and identity, a longing for times gone by and unrest on the international front.
Sounds about right for this discombobulated Britain in 2022.
Bring back Jurgen Klopp and this team immediately.
