Hope Springs Eternal
AN ARTICLE BY MATTY
I used a picture of a bike as my title screen for two reasons: the first reason is to provide Stu
with support during his troubling time as a bicyclist and to remind us all that spring is here. The
one feeling I always associate with Easter and the spring is hope, hope that we’re finally
looking ahead to a brighter day, a longer day, a better day. You can take away many things, but
you can’t take away faith and hope. So, in this hopeful spirit, I look upon Liverpool and the
current state of affairs. We’re entering a bit of a rebuilding phase, whether we want to or not.
Wijnaldum is gone, likely off to Barcelona if the rumors have any shred of truth to them (which
they usually don’t, so moving on). We’ve got numerous players coming off of long-term injuries
heading into next year, pillars of the team such as van Dijk and Henderson. We’ve got the
Euros to deal with, as well as AFCON, which will take away our beloved wingers for a month, at
least. We’ve got players who have declined in form and are in jeopardy of losing their spot
(here’s looking at you, Firmino). Yet, hope is still here. And why is that? Let’s take a look.
First, the most important factor in any football team, as we very well know, is the manager. I
guarantee we win the Premier League in 2014 if Jurgen Klopp was our manager instead of
Brendan Rodgers. Brendan’s good, but he’s not Klopp. Klopp is, hands down, the best
manager in the world. He’s always open to adaptation, always looking for the cutting edge and
advantage necessary to take down anyone and everyone. He’s best as the underdog, and the
fan base has taken that underdog mentality and run with it. We’ve won everything with the
current group of players, handpicked and developed by Klopp to become the legends we
remember with fondness today. Mane, Henderson, Salah, van Dijk, Alisson, Trent, all people
who’ll go down in legend as some of the greatest to ever wear the shirt. Klopp’s helped each of
them reach that level, and there’s more on the way. For example, look at Curtis Jones and
Diogo Jota. Handpicked by Klopp from either the academy or in the market. The driving force
behind this season’s campaign when all seemed lost. They’re the next generation, forming a
trio alongside Trent to give us a look similar to the three emperors of Rome: Cassius, Caesar,
and Pompey. Trent, the warrior who indulges in his great wealth and popularity, similar to
Cassius. Jota, the man who constantly looks to usurp Firmino as the rightful striker of the
attack, similar to Pompey. And then the ruthless, cunning and creative leader who ruled with
might, Caesar ruled Rome just as Jones rules the pitch. Why do we still have hope in the midst
of potential turmoil? We’ve got a young triumvirate to lead the new wave.
Of course I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention Michael Edwards. The man who outsmarts the rest of
the pack with precision, his feats are legendary. Somehow getting £20 million for Dominic
Solanke. Getting someone to pay for Brad Smith, who I’m convinced was a Manchester United
fan masquerading as a beer league goalie. Signing many of the talents who have become
legend. Take this past summer for example. Yes, we all know that not buying a CB ruined the
season, but we got one of the best midfielders in the world for a mere pittance of his value,
found the future of our club in Jota, and got Robertson a much-needed backup, all in the
middle of a pandemic where it was believed we didn’t have a dime to spend. Wizardry. I don’t
want to taint this article with American football, but I feel I must mention Buffalo Bills general
manager (basically Edwards’ role) Brandon Beane. Beane is loyal to his players, yet ruthless
when necessary. He is bold and aggressive, willing to do whatever it takes to get his man, yet
also capable of backing away when the price becomes too great. In five years he’s taken my
downtrodden Bills to the precipice of championship glory, all because he extracted every
ounce of value from every single asset available to him. Edwards does much of the same for
us, and should be commended accordingly. Why do we have hope? Because Edwards
probably found the next Messi while I’ve typed this and is off to have someone scout him now.
Next on the docket are the players themselves, who have given us great gifts. They gave us the
Premier League, Champions League, and more. We were champions of everything in a
calendar year, absolutely amazing. Our squad, on paper, rivals the best in the world when fit: a
world-class goalie, a sturdy back-line capable of defending against any attackers while
jumpstarting our own attacks. Trent and Robbo redefining what it means to be a fullback. Our
workhorse midfield, led by our rugged captain, shouting orders to the men to keep them
charging from kickoff to the final whistle. That same midfield capable of producing different
types of flair, from brilliant passing to excellent dribbling to rasping volleys from the 18-yard
box. Our forwards meshing beautifully with one another, creating chances, equally willing to
shoot and pass. Our well-oiled machine is capable of breathtaking performances when at its
peak. Yes, Gini is likely gone, and it’s quite possible he won’t be the only regular heading for
the exit. Yet the core pieces still remain, and those on the outside have plenty of intrigue. For
example, our midfield can completely change if we finally fix Naby or give Gini’s starting role to
Curtis. Jota is taking the reins from Firmino to become our next great goal scorer. What about
Harvey Elliott, the child prodigy tearing apart the Championship? Or Nat Phillips, whose simple
style has made him beloved by the fan base and worthy of a contract extension? Or Leighton
Clarkson, or Jake Cain, or any of the vast number of youth talents starting to break through?
These players were once capable of amazing things, when fully fit I think they still are very
capable. Why do we have hope? Because this machine hasn’t stopped yet, it’s only been
slowed.
Lastly we have the most controversial aspect of our club, FSG. Say what you will about them,
but they’ve been instrumental to our success too. Who convinced Klopp to come here? FSG.
Who freed up the money to construct this game-breaking squad? FSG. And lastly, who is
willing to put it all in for us to compete again next year? FSG. They may not be as rich or as
powerful as Abramovich or the Saudis, but they saved us from administration anyways. They
may not have spent as much as our rivals, but we won everything regardless. Could our squad
depth be better? Surely. Could we be more ruthless with underperforming veterans?
Absolutely. Yet the atmosphere around Anfield isn’t one of mercenaries or of anger, but rather
an atmosphere similar to a family. Klopp, FSG, Edwards, all the players and staff, they
genuinely like each other and act as if they’re a family, all working together for the same goal.
Why do we have hope? Because family bonds cannot be broken so easily
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