Welcome to Issue 292 of Red All Over The Land.
Several seasons ago we often talked about Liverpool turning corners only to bump into a brick wall. This season has surely been like that. The joy of Reds all over world following the humiliation of Manchester United would only last a week. How did we follow that up with a defeat at Bournemouth and managing to look so inept? Earlier in the season we beat one of the world’s best teams, Manchester City at Anfield only then to lose against two of the worst sides in The Premier Division. By the time this issue hits the streets I’ve got no idea where we will be. Not in the Champions League, because Real Madrid put paid to any hopes of a return to Istanbul.
This season fans have blamed everyone from the owners down to the Anfield cat but the team that beat Manchester United looked world class and in that second half had we reached double figures ten Hag and Gary Neville couldn’t have complained. The front three looked sensational as did just about everyone else. We were playing against a team that could well win three trophies this season so why do standards go from one extreme to the other? Jürgen doesn’t seem to know the answer so what chance do we, the fans, have? That brick wall is there for you to bang your head against.
If we want to clutch at a few straws, it does seem as if Darwin Núñez and Cody Gakpo could be a bit special and if Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota can come back fit and rediscover their form of a year ago then along with Mo, we have what could be a formidable front line to select from. Stefan Bajcetic has gone from an unknown to maybe the best midfield player at the club even though he’s only 18-years old. What shame he can’t play again this season being the latest player to fall victim of the Kirkby injury curse. Ben Doak is another rising star, but he suffered concussion in a recent Under-19 game. There’s talk of another pre-season stint in the Far East; Lourdes might be the better option.
When the season ends there surely will be a few outgoings. Bobby Firmino has already announced his plans and while some fans may be disappointed Si Senor is part of the glorious past, not the future. Injuries plagued the Liverpool career of The Ox, and he deserves a fresh start elsewhere. Naby Keita has disappointed no matter which way you want to look at it. Hendo, Fab and Thiago aren’t part of tomorrows world either and it will be interesting to see how Jürgen handles their futures. The same could apply to Joe Gomez and Joel Matip. As for Curtis Jones – does he have an Anfield future? I can see why James Milner might be invited to stay around but he can’t be kept on because he can fill in at right back, there must be something else in the grand scheme of things. We know Nat Phillips and Rhys Williams will depart and I’m not convinced our Greek Scouser can be kept on solely as cover for Robbo. It will be all down to Jürgen and his coaches, but the departure lounge could be overcrowded once this season has been laid to rest.
The next Issue will be the final one of the season and I can honestly say, this has been one of the hardest seasons I’ve had bringing out the Fanzine. The Royal funeral didn’t help, and the World Cup was another contributing factor and since that finished our fixtures have been dotted all over the place. However, we’re nearly there. So, Issue 293 must be a celebration of Bobby Firmino, the goals, the smile, and the song. If you want to send in your comments, you know where I am.
JJP: The Answer my friend was blowing in the wind but then I got a new deodorant.