 |
| GUEST COLUMN : AN LFC LETTER FROM |
WILL THIS FINALLY BE OUR SEASON?
Richard Ives, New Zealand
09 August 2007
|
|
Will this be THE season? No-one needs reminding it has been a long, long time since our beloved Reds won the title – or even launched a serious bid for it – and so we're all asking if 2007-08 might be the breakthrough season.
|
I've been a Liverpool fan since 1974. I live in New Zealand where football (or soccer as it is more commonly known) is a minority sport in terms of its profile. As a child, I was obsessively interested in all sports and decided on the eve of the 1974 FA Cup final that I wanted to follow English soccer, sorry, football. Aged 10, I knew little about it at the time other than the fact that Liverpool were to play Newcastle in the upcoming final. Fortunately, I did not make a black-and-white choice and decided instead on the Red of Liverpool, one of the wisest decisions of my life.
The next 16 years brought a succession of trophies, an era where its true glory was not appreciated until we fans had to endure the relatively barren years that have followed.
Here in New Zealand, several sports teams are known as "next season's teams" – they're always promising to be better "next season." Liverpool have been a bit like that, certainly in terms of their performance in the Premiership.
Is that about to change? Even from 12,000 miles away, I can sense a huge wave of optimism around Anfield. The summer signings, the unveiling of the dramatic stadium and the statements of various players in the media and through this website have all encouraged a belief among fans like me of great things to come this season.
I can't wait for the Villa match on August 11. Actually, it'll be August 12, 4.15am, when it kicks off here and I've already set my alarm, at least mentally, for the game. Then it's Chelsea at 3am on Monday August 20, followed by Sunderland away and Derby County at home, a match I hope to attend.
As Steven Gerrard (forget the MBE, he's Sir Steven in my house) said recently, you may not win the title in the first few games but you can lose it then, and that's certainly what Liverpool have done in recent seasons. I look at those four opening games before the mini international break and expect 10 points from them if Liverpool are serious about their title ambitions.
I'm a journalist by trade, which makes my somewhat cynical naturally (although some of you may have less kind descriptions of we gentlemen of the press!), and as I reflect on my thoughts a year ago, they conveyed the same sense of optimism. The signings of that summer were going to provide Liverpool with the cutting edge they needed, or so we thought, but for various reasons it didn't work out.
Why should this season be different? For a start, there's no post World Cup fatigue from which Liverpool undoubtedly suffered last season. Second, there seems to be a greater maturity among the squad as to what is required to win or challenge for the title; third, because the likes of Torres, Babbel and Bennayoun appear quality signs who should improve what is already a good team; and finally, because it is our duty as we as fans to demand that from our heroes.
As I mentioned earlier, I hope to attend the Derby County game on September 1. My wife, son (9) and I are heading overseas soon on a trip where we also hope to see some of the Rugby World Cup, an event in which the famous New Zealand All Blacks are much like Liverpool – the sleeping giants desperately searching for an overdue title. I have told my family that I liken our planned trip to Anfield to a religious pilgrimage.
I can't say that wife is an ardent Liverpool fan, and as a negotiating point to get her and our son to Anfield I've agreed to spending two days in Singapore en route to the UK so she can exercise her credit card at various shops.
I don't like shopping, but I will consider this diversion well worth if I can fulful a lifetime's dream and watch Liverpool at Anfield with my family. I also hope that in 10 months or so I can do some shopping of my own – buying an item from the LFC on-line store celebrating title No 19!
You'll Never Walk Alone
|
|
|
|
