This was the moment I had been waiting for all my life. For many others, the wait was much longer. Liverpool’s title drought lasted almost eight years while I was here. Let’s zoom in.
This Liverpool team deserved the crown. The likes of Steven Gerrard and Luis Suarez have come close to taking United to the top of the Premier League over the years, but Jurgen Klopp’s side were arguably the greatest team of the modern era. It was perfect from back to front, an attacking triumvirate that immortalized the moment. Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane each had outstanding skills and worked perfectly together. After winning the Champions League last season, the Premier League seemed like the right thing to do, not the opportunity. After 26 wins in 27 games, it was clear that the title was only a matter of time and the goal was achieved. Things have changed. Now we wanted to win the race without losing.
We talked to each other. Why not? Ultimately, the wins kept coming week after week and the finish line was getting closer and closer with no sign or intention of slowing down.”What happened next looked like a disaster. The inexplicable 3-0 defeat at Watford and Atletico Madrid’s elimination from the Champions League came just weeks later.But then a real disaster happened. Liverpool didn’t know it at the time, but the defeat to Atletico Madrid at Anfield was their last game in front of their fans for months as the coronavirus pandemic spread. Of course, for others it was much more difficult.
I’m not one of those lucky people who get to Anfield every weekend, so my routine hasn’t changed much. But even from afar on the TV screen it was clear that something fundamental was missing.Firmino summed it up clearly: “The pandemic has denied Liverpool fans the opportunity to share and support the moments we are all waiting for. I spit out the fun that has been stuck in my throat for 30 years. How sad! “How I miss you!” Again, my story is far from the saddest.
Not in the context of a deadly pandemic, nor in the much narrower sphere of Liverpool fans. This is the truth of what he did to fans and it’s an experience that will resonate with many. Of course, it was still fun to see Liverpool win the Premier League. It’s not that I feel completely empty. But that euphoria is nothing like the excitement of winning the European title last year, even though it was their only title. No one will blame him if he fails. The existence of the drought shows how difficult it is to win the Premier League, especially before Manchester City won such a title.
But what is certain is that the name of the outbreak seemed a little empty, and there was only one thing that could come close to solving it. Many key players have since left, but hopefully Klopp will spend time with the fans. And we were deceived.
