Welcome to Issue 254 of Red All Over The Land.
Last season, where to start? Well, at the end is as good a place as any. June 1st will go down as another of those nights; another “Best night of our life” etc. Obviously I would have loved to have seen us win the league but hey, Champions of Europe doesn’t sound too bad does it? I’d argue the Liverpool team of 2018/19 was as good as any other Liverpool side I’ve seen and I hope it gets even better.
What our team achieved was something special. One night in Madrid tells you that. One night at Anfield against Barcelona maybe tells you more? A homecoming witnessed by 750,000 gives an indication as to what it all meant. Maybe it told us just how big a club Liverpool now are? The numbers who celebrated around the globe might have exceeded a billion and if they enjoyed it as much as I did, then they had the night and weekend of their lives as well. Anyway, they’re not as lucky as you, you can relive it in this Fanzine and if they want to do the same, they only have to buy a copy. If that sounds like I’m touting for business it sounds right. If this had been on sale the day after the night before I could have probably retired but as it is, I’ll carry on for just a little bit longer.
Just to think, in years to come Redmen everywhere will talk about the heroic deeds of Divock Origi! Like David Fairclough [77]; King Kenny [78]; Barney Rubble [81]; Brucie [84] and Harry Kewell [05] – er sorry about that – the Divock Origi European Cup exploits will be etched into the minds of Liverpool fans everywhere. I’m not ashamed to say, I didn’t think he had it in him. If they want to build a statue, pass the collection tin over here.
When the fixtures came out and we were given the Friday night slot it meant changing a few of my plans. This idea was to have this issue on sale for the friendly against Schalke and possibly a new one out for the first home game. However, the game against the Germans was shelved, so this issue will now be on sale v Norwich simply because it means we can sell it at Anfield for at least one game. It won’t be out of date because its 90% about the Euro triumph…and unashamedly so. The next one might contain something about it as well.
Every new season brings fresh hope and some have already dissected the fixture list and decided it will again be a two horse race. Probably those who said it would be a one-horse race last season. I don’t play that game. Nobody knows what lays ahead, some teams will be stronger, some maybe not. With the money that flows into the football it’s unwise to make assumptions. All I will say is that if its going to be anything like the past two seasons, then fasten your safety belts, cos it could one hell of a ride. The squad we have looks stronger than ever but we have to hope they all stay fit. The deadwood has just about gone and some of the young blood is as exciting as it’s ever been.
JJP They say tomorrow never comes. When you get to my age that’s a bit of a worry.