As I stared into my empty pint glass hours after Liverpool's defeat to West ham, disheartened and saddened by what I had witnessed only a few hours prior. Questions, fears and negativity started to run through my mind.
Obviously, we have to lose, that is football, but the way we lost, after putting in such a heroic display at the Emirates, filling the fans with hope and instilling belief that maybe we are back on the track is simply unacceptable. These hopes were all but shattered after Saturday's dismissal display.
Yet again, the same word always comes to mind; "consistency”, like it has done over and over again for many years. Is it bad management preparing your team so well for one game then relaxing for the next? Players should be mentally and physically prepared for each game in exactly the same way. These days, there are no easy games in the Premier League or in European competitions. Therefore, every encounter should be treated with the same amount of preparation in order to avoid two completely different performances within five days.
The truth hurts; we are nowhere near the level to be playing successful Champions League football. Pot 2 in the Europa league competing against teams most of us have never even heard of is where we are at present. Shankly & Paisley's hard work and legacies are finally dying. The Bootroom is now a part of the Anfield tour, on match days the ground is full of tourists, some even come in Fancy dress and worst still, corporate customers who don't even support Liverpool. Shanks famously described the Kop as a place "Where you've got thousands of friends all and about ya, and they're united and loyal" sadly that isn't the story now.
The fearful question which is always present at the back of Liverpool supporters’ minds is; will the Glory days ever return? Next year will mark the 10th anniversary of our famous FA Cup win against West Ham at the Millennium Stadium in Wales. Without wanting to neither forget nor disrespect our League Cup victory in 2012, Rafa's FA Cup triumph in Cardiff was the last major honour we won and that was nearly ten years ago now. Moreover, we reached the European Cup final either side of winning the FA Cup in 2006, winning one in 2005 & unfortunately finishing runners up in Athens in 2007. In addition, the five trophies we won in 2001 came just four years prior to winning in Istanbul. Therefore, from 2001 to 2007 Liverpool won seven major honours in total and reached a European Cup final, compared to recent years from 2007 to 2015 where the Reds have only just managed to win the League Cup.
Since Brendan Rodgers took control we have signed thirty-two players & spent around £289,680,000 million. Many of his signings, or before you correct me the committee's signings, in which Mr Rodgers is a fundamental member of and ultimately had the final say in, have been, let's just say not as successful as we would have liked. I have said many times Rodgers doesn't convince me. Why would he? What has he done in football to gain our trust and support?
Without wanting to jump the gun, it is going to be a long old season. Let's be honest, Benteke's goal should never have counted at home to Bournemouth and Aaron Ramsey's first half strike was wrongly ruled out at the Emirates. Furthermore, our initial praises for our newly improved defence have now gone out the window since conceding them three woeful goals against The Hammers. They also lacked confidence and composure throughout the entire game, especially Devan Lovren. I strongly believe, if we fail to add a world class centre-back to our squad we are not going to win a lot for a long time.
Anyway, fair play to West Ham for picking up away wins at Arsenal and Liverpool this soon into the new campaign and achieving their first victory at Anfield since 1963. It is frustrating how shocking we were on Saturday. I could not have felt more different in comparison to how I felt after the final whistle was blown at the Emirates last Monday night.
Memories of last season's semi-final against Aston Villa came flooding back to me & as well as games such as Crystal Palace, Stoke and defeat away to Basel in the Champions League. However, on the flip side we were capable of beating Man City; the Premier League Champions at Anfield, consistency again, see what I mean?
When I hear the word 'mediocre' been associated with Liverpool Football Club I feel a sense of anger and sadness. On the one hand, recent success would agree with this assessment of us. However, on the other, Liverpool are not only still the most successful football team in English football, but also one of world football's all-time top clubs.
I am truly grateful for all the hard work past generations have contributed to making Liverpool 'great'. Nevertheless, I am worried about the current situation of our club on and off the pitch. Where are the next Steven Gerrards, Jamie Carraghers & Robbie Fowlers going to come from? We are lining up for the first time in many decades without a Scouser in our starting XI. Being a local lad is a unique attribute that players are only born with and cannot be taught.
I am envious of Liverpool supporters who lived following the club home and away during in 70s & 80s. From 1973-1991 The Reds only finished outside the top two on one occasion and in that year, 1981 we won the European Cup & the League Cup. All we seem to have now is their heart-warming memories & fascinating stories of which will probably be the most successful period of Liverpool Football Club.
As always thanks for reading and I'm looking forward to hearing your opinions on Twitter.
@clemente_carl for @anfieldeurope
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