Its been a while since I wrote a blog, so feel that this is well overdue. What a couple of home games thats been at Anfield. Simply unbelievable….
Somethings changed at Anfield. Somethings different. Maybe it’s the red nets? Maybe its the old ‘This is Anfield’ being hung back in its rightful place? or maybe its quite simply belief. Belief from the stands spilling out onto the pitch. Visiting teams look beaten when they are warming up, we actually look one nil up before the game has kicked off- and this is how it used to be. The energy being generated on the Kop is at a different level of late, and the players are responding accordingly. I said to my son as we left the ground on Saturday that I genuinely feel that we could beat any time in the world at Anfield at this present moment in time.
Saturday- well, what can be said that hasn’t already been said? We were utterly brilliant from front to back. It’s probably unfair to single players out for special praise, but I’m going to anyway:-
Aly Cissokho- Improving every game. Not the best footballer to ever wear red, but honest, gives 100% and starting to look half decent;
Martin Skrtel- Immense. An absolute rock in the heart of our defense. He is playing at another level of late and without a doubt our best defender;
Jon Flanagan- Brilliant. If ever a player was a working example of what Brendan Rodgers is about, its this guy. He works his socks off, never ever gives up, and 2 of his passes during the 2nd half were world class- hence the nickname ‘Flani Alves’!;
Steven Gerrard- Superb. He’s been a revelation these last few games reminding me of Lothar Mattheus when he used to play deeper for the old West Germany;
Philippe Coutinho- World class. When he’s on his game, we are on our game. Some of his passes of late have been worth the ticket price alone. I love watching him work his magic;
Jordan Henderson- Made Ozil and Wilshere look ordinary. Nuff said. This guy gets better and better and better. Once his finishing improves he could genuinely be as good as he chooses to be;
Raheem Sterling- Absolutely fantastic. Again, another glowing tribute to what Brendan Rodgers is all about. He’s knuckled down, he’s listened, and he’s the best winger in the Premier League by a long way of late;
Daniel Sturridge- The Chelsea reject. Still makes me chuckle that. He’s just a goal machine- its a simple as that. And will only get better too.
The above do not detract from what was an excellent team performance, I just feel that special mentions are deserving.
And one final mention has to go to Brendan Rodgers and his team. This guy has worked his socks off and literally served his time as an apprentice at one of the biggest Football clubs in the world. I questioned him and his appointment (on more than one occasion), I wondered if he was just a salesman, with little competence to back up his slick media performances. However, he’s changed. He doesn’t talk as much now, he lets his players do the talking, and I for one would not swap him for anybody at the moment.
I really do feel that we may be on the cusp of something special. I can feel it inside the ground. There are more flags appearing on the Kop, the other sides of the ground are joining in the songs again, the ground is starting to shake when we score. There’s a real energy there. It just feels different. It feels like the 1980’s (with seats)!
And thats how I’m going to finish my post. Probably not the most intricate of posts, or informative, but simply written by a Kopite who is buzzing with excitement and genuine hope.
‘Going to Anfield lately feels like the 1980’s all over again’………YNWA.
