We have 1 more believer.
I didn't hear him say that about Klopp getting it all right at the end, would have capped it off for me. I DO remember him saying that we needed to change after 5 minutes tho. Couldn't quite believe it. Ha.
Well, what a lovely result. At work, on the Friday, I was feeling quite bullish. I knew that when I said we'd win 6-1 away from home to Chelsea that it would raise an eyebrow, but I was merely reflecting some confidence. The hope was that Benteke would start. When I found out he wasn't starting, I pulled back on my predictions somewhat to a 1-5 win. Still bullish, still in the clouds, but hey... when does one think like that at Stamford Bridge? Obviously, in the BBC Predictor game I went with a 1-1. Oh ye football gods, rain hell on me please. Had a feeling that Moreno would score... and I sort of envisaged something very close to his chance that he oh so nearly buried. Eyes, Moreno... EYES... give him eyes you're going far corner.
When the teams got announced we were in for some surprises weren't we? Mikel? With Ramires? OK. Can, Milner, Lucas... Coutinho dropping in, Firmino would would probably do a bit of that, Hazard or Oscar wanting to get forward. I thought, yeah, we should have that midfield. Ramires can pop up with a goal of course, tho was surprised at how few he's scored for them when it got mentioned, but that front three and Costa is/should be, a force to be reckoned with. Did we have that? Firmino, Lallana, and Coutinho... there were big doubts there, but if you win the game in the middle, you've got a better chance of winning the game than if you have higher possession stats for me, plus we had Klopp who has re-energised certain players and possibly the group, and you've got a beleaguered Chelsea so yeah, bring it on. I read this morning that Lucas had more passes than Ramires and Mikel combined. It didn't surprise me. I can't remember Mikel even playing bar one challenge.
And then they scored. I hadn't planned for that. I didn't think the worse, but I was now hoping a bit for a 1-1. It was a must not lose game, and it was almost, a must win game for me. I'll come clean, it
was a must win. Bloody difficult place to go for what was a must win, but it was wasn't it? Search inside yourself Luke - it was. BUT - OK... take 1-1 now? I would have done. Thankfully Klopp is not made of my spineless attitude, and it was the substitution of Milner which gladdened my heart later on.
Heading into half time, and still no real goal threat, bar the occasional dalliance. We were however playing some football for good long periods. Nothing breathtaking, nothing that incisive, but we were authoritative nonetheless. The co-commentators comments were coming back to haunt me. Benteke on for the 2nd half I wondered. Would that be showing cards too early the other side of me asked. Does that say we need something different, when perhaps we don't? Is this good enough to continue with for another 15/20? I thought so. Then bang. 1-1.
I scared my 5 year old shitless. I'll have that picture of his face in my head till I die. Which isn't far away. More horrified than the subject of Edvards Munch's 'Scream'. Hands clasped to ears, the shock of looming death in his eyes. He was paralysed. Why is Dad jumping around the room like this and punching the air like a man possessed? I swung him round the room by his ankles.
So no changes at half time. It was only later that I learned the ref maybe went overboard on the injury time, but as a constant thing in my life regarding injury time, I never thought for one moment that the ref would suddenly blow - I never thought, hurry up, he'll blow in a minute! What a sweet sweet goal for our little magician.
[Day 2 of writing this - I have only had a few minutes this week being able to write on a computer].
The second half was devoid of my sons cousin. I was quite glad of that.
It's a few days after now, and the seas have calmed. Yeah, we beat Chelsea, so what? However, I keep coming back to Skrtels glare. Why did I love it when our centre back faced up to Costa when he could have probably got him sent off? Down to ten men, happy days, let's run them ragged. Why? Not for one minute was Skrtel 'intimidated' by Costa. If he was, he rolls around as many others do when a challenge comes in. Some of course roll around as they've been clattered, because he plays it hard, and plays fine lines. But Skrtel wasn't in that mindset - he was going to enjoy this, and that glare said, 'yeah, don't worry sunshine, I'm up for it - see you next game yeah?' . I dunno - champagne moment for me. Yeah I'll have a bit of that in defence please - loads of that.
And then, we see Klopp entering into a discussion with a member of Chelsea's coaching staff. Think I'm right in saying it was coaching staff and not a fan. Loved the pause and the turn toward him from Klopp. Oh yes. Yeah... loads of that please. Rafa would have waved him down, nodded, smiled, turned towards his team again. Would have loved that. Klopp is the opposite. Not afraid of a word is he? Love that.
And then there was the substitution of Milner. Now I read he's not popular in certain elements of social meedja. That right? Don't understand that. I understand the desire for more penetration from midfield, more ziggy zag midfield play, a bit more end product, less set pieces etc - I get all that, but to take off Milner instead of Lallana who was having a so-so game if I was being generous, said much. Don't think there was much between them, but to leave Lallana on who can open up things, and to take Milner off who can shore up things in a game that you're drawing away to Chelsea said ALOT to me. Loved that. Much to love to be fair. I hate the phrase 'to be fair', but it suits here.