Why do I bother?
Every single time for the past seven or so seasons, I’ve asked myself that very same question over and over again expecting for things to get better, but inevitably I get the same gut-wrenching, heart-twisting, mind-boggling sense of emptiness I’ve become far too used to now.
Liverpool F.C. has a problem. A fundamental deep-rooted problem that is not going to just disappear with instilling a world-class manager. On Monday night, I saw a team full of players a shadow of their former selves, a team not strong enough to dig in deep when things aren’t going to plan. This is a team that simply thinks they are much better than they actually are.
To some extent, you can’t blame them. From August to December, they were playing some of the most exciting football I’ve seen in a long time. Now, I’m starting to think how these players even got into professional football in the first place!
When everything goes well, it’s natural to not see the chinks in the armour, but essentially the Reds have played the entire season with a starting XI consisting of seven midfielders (going on eight with Dejan Lovren’s injuries), no out-and-out striker and one of two bang-average goalkeepers. Added to that, Liverpool a squad thinner than my patience with this club! No top club in England or in any of the top five leagues has this problem – it’s bloody embarrassing!
When Liverpool’s strongest line-up is fit, they can frighten any team on the planet, however, the minute one player gets injured or is suspended or for whatever reason can’t play; all hell breaks loose. Whether it be Sadio Mané, Jordan Henderson or Dejan Lovren, one player goes and the entire machine breaks down.
Jürgen Klopp built a system to fit these 11 players, but that’s not sustainable. We need to play in a way that accommodates more than just those on the pitch so if one goes, we have another one waiting. If that means selling the bench and buying a whole new one, then so be it. I’m tired of hoping for players to improve when they’ve shown absolutely nothing when it really matters.
I’m tired of buying no marks and gambling on whether they can make it or not. I’m tired of the constant excuses being made for every season we go without a trophy. I’m just so, so tired.
Klopp must see this. He must recognise that some of the players he thought could cut it are not good enough for this club and the owners must back up their six-year contract for the manager by doing whatever it takes to sign the players he wants.
The new Main Stand is fantastic and the plans for the new Kirkby training complex is a brilliant investment for the future, but what’s the point of planning for the future when right now everything is going to trash?
We need results now. Liverpool have collected six points in the league since 2017, it’s March!
This club needs to change. Something needs to change. Otherwise we can kiss any hopes of glory at the pinnacle of football goodbye.
