I feel so thoroughly ashamed that I was, like most of my sky blue brethren, rejoicing in the discomfiture suffered at Goodison by Jurgen's Happy band of brothers, until I read Will (Stanley?) Unwin's offering in the Guardian about how "weary Liverpool" had been "shocked into submission" by "Sean Dyche's tracksuit energy". As a rather morose Will laments, "It is little wonder Jürgen Klopp is running out of energy when he is having to come up with a new lineup every few days. For the
Merseyside derby defeat to Everton there were six changes to follow on from the half-dozen made for
Sunday’s win over Fulham. On this occasion, however, it did not work. The latter weeks of the season are a tricky balance for any coach with so much at stake. Trying to maintain a rhythm and build momentum while keeping everyone fresh for crucial fixtures is an unenviable task. It cannot help a manager when hours before the match a starter withdraws but not even the riches of football can dictate when a mother-to-be enters labour." I realised that Jurgen had performed heroically with such a small, inexpensive squad to win the world's premier knock out competition and then remain in the FA cup until the 6th round before their interest in the PL came to an apparent end wit only four games left. No other team can have come so close having faced such insuperable obstacles. To make sure that we all understand the extent of Liverpool's martyrdom will continues, and reveals the cheating Everton resorted to to frustrate Klopp's exhausted cavaliers "Liverpool had 76% of possession but were met with nine blue shirts In the final stages, few had the energy to attack for Liverpool " so they were driven to an unheard of hoofball "as their attempts to progress up the pitch became more direct. The quick, sharp passing that has been instrumental this season was lost with minds and legs depleted of resources. There are fine lines when scoring and a tired mind can make the difference." And Will concludes that "it has been a gruelling season for Liverpool amid their attempts to win four competitions and the emotional uncertainty provided by Klopp’s summer exit. There will be no shame if Liverpool do not take their title challenge to the final days. Nine months of exertions take their toll." One admires the almost Churchillian levels of heroism of a team and coach coming so uniquely close to pulling off the impossible dream of three trophies in a single season before they could win five trophies in a calendar year. Only a club of Liverpool's standing could dare to dream.
www.thetimes.co.uk
