So we’ve had Christmas, and it’s New Year very soon. How’s our year as Liverpool supporters been, and what of the future?
This year started with a real shock. In January 2024, Jurgen Klopp, our latter-day Shankly, announced that he was leaving early. I remember the shot-in-the-dark feeling when I heard. It was like there had been a death in my own personal family. How would the LFC family cope? He single-handedly reignited our club and ‘made us believe’ that we could actually eat off the top table. We won it all, the league to end a 30-year drought and the Champions League, as well as several trips to Wembley to beat Chelsea in a number of cup finals.
So who could replace him? It had to be Xabi Alonso, who knew us well and was working miracles at Bayer Leverkusen. Such sadness that he said ‘no’. Next it had to be Rueben Amorim, the young genius doing well with Benfica. We then heard it was to be the quietly spoken Arne Slot. Who? I’d barely heard of him to be honest.
It was an emotional game at the end of last season. It was Wolves at Anfield as usual. We sang the Jurgen/I feel fine song with gusto about 30 times, none louder than when the great man made his final appearance in a rather drawn-out formal ceremony. During his speech, he demanded that we copy him in turning the Jurgen Klopp chant (na, na…na na na) into a similar one singing Arne Slot’s name.
Klopp understood our club, and that it was always greater than single individuals. This was him saying ‘we move on, and you have to give this man the support you give to me’
It was a noble gesture from probably the best ‘person’ manager to have led our famous team.
God we moaned before the transfer window shut, and for a few weeks after. We brought in Freddie Chiesa on the cheap, but no-one else. “We haven’t got a decent number 6” we all said.
He started playing Ryan Gravenberch in a more defensive midfield role. I made a slight fool of myself writing an article suggesting he wasn’t the answer. That’s probably why Mr Slot got the job and I didn’t. I then wrote another article which challenged a lot of our supporters who didn’t like my comparing the change of position of Ray Kennedy to Gravenberch’s new role, and the success it bought.
Personally, I think Gravenberch, now one of the first names on our team sheet, has been instrumental to our early season success. What a player he’s turned into. Tenaciously breaking down play, while simultaneously looking at our attacking options. The way he shrugs players off on the half-turn before setting up our next attack is truly something of real beauty.
So we ‘re top of the league. Our football is a little more pragmatic under Arne, but it’s a total joy to behold. I do miss Klopp’s heavy rock footy at times, but it’s so interesting how he sets up his team, and then make changes in style when we need to. We can play it out, but not be afraid to go long. We can have ordinary first halves, then subtle changes I can only pretend to see in the second half wins us the game.
This team has guts, skill and commitment. We have alternatives in most positions and a bench that can change the game, and generally does.
Although we’re quite a bit ahead I’m a bit like the manager or players when asked. I’m simply taking it ‘each game as it comes’ and not pushing my dreams too much as yet. As I know so well, football dreams can turn into nightmares. I dare not mention it. I won’t be singing the song. Yet. We’ll all see come May..
Have a great New Year folks. I’ve not done Christmas cards this year, so this will be my personal missive to my footballing family.
