One Step Forward, Two Steps Back

I couldn't contain my surprise after taking a quick glance at the SkySports website. That surprise gave way for excitement in an instant. For all the rivalry and dislike I have towards Liverpool, I admire them and always want them to do well in other tournaments, especially the one my beloved team isn't participating in. My support for them heightens whenever the opposition is from another country.

The media has done a good job of pitting leagues against each other. The dominance of European competitions by Spanish teams in the last decade or so has made their English counterparts look inferior despite all the popularity and investment. So against Spanish oppositions, I automatically support English teams even if that English team is a cross town rival.

I watched Liverpool against Newcastle last weekend and couldn't hide the fact that I felt they were lucky. Even with a man down, if Newcastle scored one of the chances they had in the second half they'll probably rally for the equaliser against a Liverpool side that looked ordinary for most of the game. So when I checked the scores and saw Liverpool were two goals up in 14 minutes against Madrid, I questioned my decision to doubt this club that always comes to life during the Champions League nights at Anfield.

Needless to say, I continued the important task that kept me away from watching the match with the belief that the game - and possibly, the tie - is all wrapped up by Liverpool. The next time I checked, my mouth was wide open for a couple of seconds in disbelief. How can a Liverpool team go from 2-0 up to losing 5-2 at Anfield? Even back then when they were nothing but also-runs, they didn't get beaten to a pulp this way. "Am I dreaming or something?" I felt a tinge of sadness enveloped me. Once again, the team from Madrid had done a job on an English team. After watching them walk through three English teams last season, I was hoping for a heavy punishment for them by the hands of an English team this season. Looks like I'll have to wait a while.

But, what the hell is going on at Liverpool? While we've spent the last two months scrutinizing Chelsea, Liverpool have been dropping their own stinkers at regular rates. Though Todd Boehly's money had us all glued to Chelsea's predicaments, Liverpool have rivalled them for silliness on the pitch in recent weeks. A win against Everton and Newcastle fooled us. Closing the gap to the top 4 made it look like a progress. While the results were important, the performances had been below par.

Derby days are no respecter of forms or pedigree. A struggling, 'managerless' Leeds scored two goals at Old Trafford. Everyone is always pumped up for derby matches, that's what rivalry does. The Newcastle game, Liverpool had two moments of individual brilliance - the pass from Trent AA to Nunez, and the chip from Salah to Gakpo. When your goalkeeper was the best player on the field despite playing over 60 minutes with a man advantage, that speaks volume.

If Liverpool makes the top 4 this season I'll feel a sense of injustice towards that. They are pretty bad right now, and should suffer the consequences of the numerous wrong decisions they made that left them in this sorry state. At the moment, it's one step forward, two steps back for this proud team. They need to start making the right decisions, and that as fast as possible!

Image Source: https://images.app.goo.gl/vd9TGa7huWG24zTU7



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