I say what I said earlier - we actually created chances in that game that last season we scored from.
Yes, we're not as flowing or high-powered as we have been over the past three years, but we are still creating chances (half ones, part ones, full on ones) to score plenty. Today was no exception.
Think for me that was one of the most frustrating things - Pickford having a Worldie. The flying saves to the one from Bobby. Other games, other oppo than us, those go in. c*nt.
Other than that, today showed why no crowds at games makes such a huge difference - even moreso for us. This side is one that is built on matchday support. The players are ones that thrive in that arena. That's why there were brought here. This, coupled with the injuries is the ONLY reason we are not where we are. There's no spark. No pressure - both on us and more importantly the opposition.
Sorry, but I cannot get over why this is not understood more by this fanbase? It's not an angle either - It's patently evident, yet you all expect our players to be robots and just win. There's no emotion involved in anything to do with Liverpool football club or even sport in general right now. It's a shell. Going thorugh the motions. What seriously do you/did you expect?
Look at it this way - It is no coicidence that sides that are used to no atmosphere, new-wave fans or even as prevalently, that typically have toxic match day atmospheres are doing well. West Fucking Ham. Leicester. Man City (who are well used to a partially full and souless stadium) Man Fucking Utd. Take away their fans and its a FUCKING RELIEF to them! Add in the fact that they come to Anfield and are not overcome with the atmosphere and there you have it.
Come on - Are you seriously telling me that these sides are in a better place than us? even now, I would not swap for anyone. Not even City.
Get us back in the ground and behind the team then judge it. Those players that you are slating now? Wait until they find out what playing for Liverpool truly is. And let's not get started on the Covid situation and what that brings to these guys as well. They're the same as us for fucks sake. Yes, they play in Red, but that's the only thing that makes them different to me and you (in my case 30 years and at least 5 stone as well)
I am as fucked off as you lot are right now, but I am also understanding that this is not how football - and more prevalently - Liverpool football club is. Yes, VAR is a fucking joke, but it's a joke for everyone. It just makes it worse when it's against us of course and think of the utter devastation because of the injuries as well. We've been RIPPED APART from every possible angle. Everyone is hurting on many levels - Look at us through history. Bear in mind that I'm a Southerner, but brought up footballing and character-wise by Liverpool - both the Football club and City. You Scousers know this more than I do as you lived daily throughout all the shite that the City has gone though whereas I only experienced it when I came up and learned from you. Always remember that the main thing that was said to me that going to the match was the escape. Where everything was right. Where Liverpool ruled the World and no fucks were given.
What I am saying is, that through thick and thin, we have been there. Baying for blood. Putting referees under pressure. Putting our own players under pressure. When the fans were let back in the ground earlier in the season, did we look a different side? Fuck yes. It was not the same, but even having those few thousand in there gave us a pulse. Then off the pitch we saw and mixed with the players. Gave then a "get yer 'ead up lad" or similar
either way, The players related to not just each other, but you/me. We don't have that right now.
NEVER underestimate what we as fans do to this club. Never, ever hang anyone playing in a red shirt out to dry until they have had the chance to prove themselves in the proper arena. We are not playing as we can because NOTHING IS RIGHT ANYWHERE! It's a totally fucked up World - and we're not there for them. We're not there to get them through the worst run of injuries in memory of pretty much everyone and our boys are suffering - the pressure on them must be immense. They can't bond properly. They can't do things as families together as they would. Like us, the can't go into town and mix. Yet here we are scratching our heads as to why we're not winning eveything?!
I needed to vent this on so many levels, but for the love of GOD please get it into yourselves (and again, coming from a Southerner) that what happens on the pitch with this team is intrinsically linked to the City and the fans. Take that away and it becomes mortal. Judge this side when the field is levelled - When Anfield has it's heart back.
Look at the Champions league - Ironically enough, this is the only time that things seem "normal" this year. The thought of getting on a plane and leaving issues behind must be the most cathartic experience that these lads have right now and that is why we are where we are. And guess what? That also means that this season is not over by any stretch. It's still not perfect, but it's a nettle that we need to embrace. Ironically enough, it's actually the only scenario where our pedigree and history can still work in our favour.
Yes - It's shit what happened tonight, but it's in keeping with the reality of the situation at this time. Mentally and physically this is not Liverpool for the players or for us. One without the other is never going to work. We've had players that you'd think wouldn't make a Sunday league side be European Champions. League Champions. FA Cup winners. Because they are not the best players - they mesh together to be the best team. And we drive that team. We're just as important in making them the players that Jurgen, Rafa, Kenny, Bob and Bill knew they would be. Run through brick walls. Overachieve. Call it what you like, but lockdown and the general malaise that has come with it these days whilst throwing in the injuries and the joke that is VAR into it as well and you are not going to get a Liverpool team that will perform. I'm actually amazed that we are where we are in the league.
Sorry for the rant, but it's how I feel. Perhaps an open forum is not the place to vent and some of my views are blunt? Unsophisitcated? Complete bollocks so a few/many of you? I don't know, but to me it's clear as day. We're not shit. We're not woeful. What we are is not robots. We're not like anyone else. We fuction differently to everyone else because of the makeup of the club, city and fans. None of that is right, so how the fucking HELL do you think we would still be capable of performing like we have done?!!?
Liverpool fans - and the poeple of that City - are the most understanding, compassionate, witty and honest people I have ever known. Know that this blend is what makes it the club it is. When one hurts, the other does too. When we get back into that ground is when it counts and until then, nothing is real. That's when we can really talk about things properly.