Terrace Talk - The Steve Kelly Column

Are there any other fans who are absolutely petrified, even when their team is 3-1 up at half time? There can’t be, can there? 

And it got worse in the second half. Much worse. I’ve written before about the pact we signed with Klopp. Mostly it’s been for better, but Sunday was definitely the other thing. Until Jota stepped in…  The trick is to switch all emotions off. Whatever happens, happens. Worry is not going to change anything, is it?

If anyone’s season can be summed up in one afternoon, it was ours. And, sometimes, it all turns out right in the end anyway. Football fortunes fluctuate, that’s the nature of the game. Trouble with supporters is, they get used to better so quickly. Our run under Klopp had to end sometime. Much better to keep your guard up always, so you’re ready (sort of) when anything happens. Well, almost anything.    

I was happy to accept the Reds wouldn’t be in Europe next season, in the same way some Evertonians already speak of a ‘restructuring’ in the Championship. Then your team wins a few matches, and everyone gets giddy again.

There was never a Champions League place on offer, never. You were dependent on Spurs, Everton and Southampton blocking Newcastle, see. Thirteen goals later, and you get a bump on solid ground you needn’t have experienced if you could just, y’know, think. It’s like praying to God that Santa will bring you a unicorn. 

So we watch the bigger stuff from the side-lines, as Arsenal fumble the ball. There’s an obvious objection to City, but the thought of Arteta equalling Klopp’s title tally in his first proper attempt does grate. There’s a national decrying of City’s dominion. Now. 

For the last few years, it’s just been a widespread relief that someone, anyone, was stopping us in our tracks. Football hatreds die hard, it seems. Still, welcome to the debate. Better late than never.    

Now that’s a tremendously salty take on things admittedly, and if I’m brutally honest Liverpool fans are nearly always reluctant, when they’re not flat-out refusing, to sanction any curtailing of their own financial jackboot. Check social media and the bedwetting about FSG if you need proof.    

What did The Clash sing; “if Hitler were alive, you’d send the limousine” wasn’t it? If Kim Jung Un had a few billion lying around, half of The Fam would be sending begging tweets. 

Which sort of indicates how football endures. The vast majority of people are only interested in their own club, and most won’t care who’s in top spot. All we’ve been talking about is how Liverpool can sort themselves out, who we’re going to buy or sell. Involvement in trophy chases is wonderful, but it isn’t essential.    

Tottenham may be having a Spurs-y old time of it, but the United fightback gave us chills with a trip to Anfield upcoming. They did throw the spanner in the works near the end of last season, after all, when we dropped 2 of our last 21 points. Unforgivably.

The Champions League finalists of 2019 have trod separate paths since but arrived at the exact same spot; plenty of work to do if they want a return to that level.    

There’s been a lot of talk about Trent’s new role, mostly from people who avoid talking about the other part of a right back’s game. Even when the defence leaks like a sieve, and granted it’s not all about him, there’s a terrible omerta.    

When Son got their second, you just knew - and when Richarlison came on, you knew that too. Still, the secret of great comedy is timing, and would you feel any better now if Liverpool had plodded to a routine three-goal win?    

Playing the traditional wet blanket card, I’m gonna say “yes, actually” but over 50,000 exiting Anfield (eventually) would have vigorously disagreed.  And I’m not going to argue with them. 

Steven Kelly

@SteKelly198586