Friday, June 26, 2020

Liverpool - Champions of England after 3 long decades!


It has been a painful journey to hear all kinds of critics in the past, especially Liverpool's inability to regain momentum as English champions, a recognition that was long buried in the 90's era. Kenny Dalglish was the last scouser to have won the grand prize for the Reds back then. Many stepped in, hereafter, but none managed to carry the club's long buried legacy since 1990, but one man, Jurgen Klopp totally wiped out all critics as he has led Liverpool to become English champions for the 19th time this morning after Manchester City surrendered a 2-1 defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.


When Klopp took charge of Liverpool in 2015, he promised that in four years time, the club would win one title, and guess what, he has delivered as mentioned. Since 2015, under Klopp's supervision, Liverpool went on to win the Champions League, UEFA Super Cup, Club World Cup and now, the latest addition of becoming English Champions for the 19th time!


Although Liverpool had to wait 30 long years to end the top-flight drought, another notable achievement is that the Reds actually won the title with seven games still remaining in the league, a new Premier League record and in the history of English football. Such dominance is a living evident in the form they've displayed throughout the season and it is truly immensely satisfying seeing Liverpool clinch the title after such a long time.



The team has often been criticised in various occasions, even when Klopp and his team went through to the Champions League final in 2018 and lost it to Real Madrid, but none of those criticism affected the Reds mentality! The just kept on going with high determination and Klopp never failed to believe in his players. Klopp was the kind of coach that any team would dream to have, mainly for the affection, coaching style, the extremely positive chemistry he shares with his players and most importantly, his passion for the game. He is something else and his achievements at the club thus far has shown what class he has been to the club.


All these years, Liverpool have been coached by some really remarkably talented coaches, and it is no doubt that this triumph will be dedicated to all those that have played a huge role in the building up of this club. Bill Shankly and Bob Paisley would be proud of this achievement. As much as it's impressive to watch Liverpool finally win the title, it is equally disappointing not to have the one man which I really wish was part of the success now, Steven Gerrard. Boy oh boy, imagine Stevie G at Liverpool now. The intensity is quite unimaginable and it would truly be explosive, even at the rare thought of it. To become Champions of England once again is definitely something special and it's even more special for Liverpool to have done it with such talents.



Liverpool came close last season but thanks to City's narrow win against the Reds at Etihad, the Citizens emerged winners with just a one-point lead at the end of the season. This time around, it's a whole new scenario, one that not many predicted knowing City's incredibly talented pool of players. With seven games left to play for, Liverpool have drifted far off the title race with a 23-point gap with close rivals, Manchester City. City's defeat at the hands of Chelsea on 26 June in a late evening kick-off, has mathematically proven that the Citizens bid to challenge the Reds finally came to an end.


Klopp praised his players for the outstanding form they've shown this season but the German find it unbelievable that his team has drifted far away from this Manchester City side - a team that he feels is no less of creativity, pace, power and extremely skilful players. He then admits, "That means we've done something really special this season."



Pep showed true class after he commended Liverpool's extremely brilliant performance this season and congratulated the team over the long-awaited title triumph in a post-match interview after his side surrendered a 2-1 defeat at Chelsea.


The players have done a magnificent job ever since Klopp stepped in and went through such a hard-fought transformational period to stand where they are now, majestically!

This is the dawn of a new era and many more successes to come for the club.

When you walk through a storm
Hold your head up high
And don't be afraid of the dark
At the end of a storm
There's a golden sky

Walk on, walk on

With hope in your heart
And you'll never walk alone
You'll never walk alone

     


Wednesday, June 10, 2020

Premier League to resume from June 17


Life without football can be utterly meaningless and for those who seek no pleasure from illegal activities, football is the only source of entertainment to the heart and soul, well at least for real football fans. These past 2-3 months of the year 2020 will be blasting like a loudspeaker and causing severe damage to our eardrums, reminding us of how catastrophic this year has been with a string of events that has caused major threat to mankind and all living being on earth. 

Coronavirus has proven to be a deadly pandemic and a huge threat to mankind by all means, and by far has proven that no football player, even the likes of Messi or Ronaldo can stop this pandemic. They may still be our heroes, but the true heroes of the world are our FRONTLINERS - Healthcare Professionals and other relevant groups that have been putting their lives on the line in order to protect us from this deadly virus. 

Before I further write about the Premier League's return to action, let's all take this opportunity to thank all our frontliners for their untiring efforts, time and sacrifices and most importantly, putting their lives on the line in order to make sure we survive this pandemic. The fight is far from over and let's not get too complacent if we see positive progress along the way, where COVID-19 is concerned. Let us continue to keep our guards high up and fight this deadly enemy of us away for good. 

Okay, now we can talk about the return of the Premier League! 


After 3 decades of waiting, finally Liverpool can put aside their dreams and live reality by claiming what's rightfully theirs after a pulsating season and become English Champions! But, what a way to celebrate the long-awaited moment. Due to the current situation of COVID-19, strict standard operating procedures (SOP's) have been imposed by the Football Association on professional football across all the leagues, which also includes potential champions will be lifting their trophies in closed doors without fans! As much as that hurts to hear, it's going to be an even more painful watch to see Liverpool lift the cup without the electrifying fans behind them. 

Well, as much as it hurts me to know that, look on the bright side! Premier League is returning and we finally have reasons to live our weekends to the fullest. Although Premier League is returning on June 17, Liverpool will have to wait until June 21 to face their city rivals, Everton in what will prove to be a cracking Merseyside clash between the Reds and the Blues. 

Liverpool's only closest competition this season thus far, Manchester City will meet Arsenal in what could prove to be the title-deciding game. If City drop points to Arsenal, it would mean that Liverpool get to celebrate early and be crowned champions at Everton! Now, that is something no Evertonian would be able to accept, but that might just be the reality that will kick in hard for all haters. Hahahahaha!


Liverpool have shown great signs of improvement ever since losing out to Real Madrid in the Champions League Final in 2018, where they went to win it in 2019 and continued great progress under the supervision of Klopp. The German is close to making every Liverpool fans dream a reality, when he lifts the highly anticipated silverware come end of June, hopefully. It has been a masterclass performance by the Liverpool players and I, as a die-hard Liverpool fan, would want nothing less but more and more success under Klopp and whoever the predecessor may be in the future, well, hopefully it will be Steven Gerrard. 

The hype is real! The wait is finally over. You'll Never Walk Alone.