Over the last few months Read Liverpool has grown substantially with its huge success of #TBTTalks, various blogs, articles and columns from our resident writers and NOW it’s time to talk to our fellow reds and see what they’ve got to say about being a Liverpool supporter.
Each Sunday evening we’ll be posting an interview with a supporter and uploading them onto this section of the website. Each week there will be a different selection of questions. If you would like to be interviewed then you can email our host: Tom Dean at thd13@aber.ac.uk or tweet him/TBT: @welshy_89/@TheBibTheorists – Alternatively if you have any feedback, suggested questions… please follow the same contact details.
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Our first interviewee is a life-long Liverpudlian, born and raised in Liverpool. His love for the game, and sports in general, is first class and led to him taking up a Sport Psychology degree at Liverpool John Moores University.
Name: Matthew Draper
Age: 22
Twitter: @SportsPsychLiv
PAST
First Liverpool Game Attended?
Liverpool vs Marseille, UEFA Cup Fourth Round first leg, 11th March 2004. First taste of Anfield and it was on a European night! Milan Baros gave us the lead in the second half, but Didier Drogba got an equaliser not long from the end, right in front of us (Anfield Road end).
What do you remember from this game?
As you can see, quite a bit! The build up to it; it was my brother who took me so I went up with him and his mates. His mate picked us up and we went up in the back of his van, went to the pub for pre-match drinks (coke for me, of course!), then started our walk up to Anfield. I just remember the goosebumps during You’ll Never Walk Alone, the smells of the stadium (mainly smoke, since it was legal back then), the sounds of the crowd, everything! Milan Baros scored at the Kop End to make it 1-0 which was a great feeling, celebrating my first live Liverpool goal. However, Didier Drogba even then proved to be a difficult striker for Liverpool to handle, and after looking dangerous all night he equalised late on – I just remember seeing Kirkland and Carragher sprawled on the floor as Drogba celebrated near the Marseille fans next to us.
Best LFC game you’ve been to see?
Liverpool vs Everton at Anfield, March 20th 2005. It was my first Merseyside derby, and I was sat by myself, bang in the middle of the Kop (just above the goal). Steven Gerrard slammed home a free-kick at the Kop end to make it 1-0 in the first half, before Luis Garcia’s header after Fernando Morientes’ long range effort could only be tipped onto the bar by Nigel Martyn – the place was bouncing! Tim Cahill scored at the Kop end with about 10 minutes left, and it was the longest 10 minutes of my life! Biting of nails, checking the clock constantly – such a relief at the final whistle. It’s the only game I’ve been to when all the fans were still singing as we were leaving the ground – brilliant atmosphere.
What opposition player would you have dreamt seeing in an LFC jersey but never?
Thierry Henry – one of the best strikers around as I was becoming more interested in football, he had everything. Pace, technique, strength, and could finish from nearly anywhere! Always played so well against us too, he’s one player I would have loved to have seen play for Liverpool.
CURRENT
What opposition player would you like to see sign for the club and why (realistic or unrealistic)?
Little bit unrealistic and different, but I’d love to have David Luiz. Rate him so highly, remember him playing against us for Benfica and he was easily their best player – playing at left-back too! Versatile enough to play CB/LB/DM, all positions we would certainly welcome quality for! Was gutted when he signed for Chelsea.
Favourite current player and why?
Philippe Coutinho – cause he’s just BOSS! Great player with technique, pace, and vision, been such a success already and only promises to get better at 21 years old! Not only his technical qualities, but his attitude to playing seems first class too, always willing to get back and help the team out, and that’s the type of player we need – someone who has bags of ability, but doesn’t mind mucking in and helping the team grind out a result.
Who will be our “little gem” of the season and why?
One of two for me. Think Henderson will continue to grow this season, maturing into a really top central midfielder. Iago Aspas is the other one I’ve been really impressed with, particularly his movement, work-rate and ball control – he looks like he has all the attributes to succeed at Liverpool. Just not sure how much of a role Aspas will play in our strongest 11 when Suarez returns.
Realistic aim for 2013/2014 season (League Finish, Cup Runs etc…)?
In the league, we have to close the gap on fourth place! Perhaps getting fourth place would be too big a step, but closing the 12 point gap between us and Arsenal last season would signal progress at the club. Obviously I’d love to win a trophy, but I’m not really fussed about the Capital One Cup – the FA Cup is the big one for me. If we could get within touching distance of fourth place (no more than 3 points off) and get ourselves a decent FA Cup run, I’d be happy with that.
GENERAL
Million pounds or score the winner for LFC at Anfield?
Score the winner at Anfield! Assuming it was a last minute one of course. All of the emotions involved with that, the ecstasy, the jubilation, sharing all of that with over 40,000 people in close proximity and millions across the globe – it’s a feeling that no amount of money could buy (for me anyway). Money will come and go, that memory would last forever.
European cup or Premier League Title?
Premier League title. I’ve only heard stories and seen videos of when Liverpool dominated the English top division, but I’ve seen the mighty Reds lift the European Cup!
Your all time favourite LFC chant/song?
Wow, tough one this! Songs like the Torres/Suarez ones are just so infectious and bring so much energy to an atmosphere, but as players come and go, so will their chants. The fields of Anfield Road is my favourite though, not many songs sound better when Liverpool are winning and playing well, the crowd are buzzing and in full voice.
What’s the furthest you’ve travelled to see the mighty reds play?
Not as far as I would have liked to be honest! Not been to many away games, and the furthest away was West Brom – pales into insignificance compared to the mileage a lot of our fans cover!
ULTIMATE TEAM OF MY LIFETIME
4-3-3
Pepe Reina
Steve Finnan
Sami Hyypia
Jamie Carragher
Alvaro Arbeloa
Steven Gerrard
Xabi Alonso
Dietmar Hamann
Fernando Torres
Luis Suarez
Robbie Fowler
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