I went hiking today; because I could, and because I felt like it. I’m in the fortunate situation of having the woods and the mountains practically at my doorstep.
Sometimes this feeds me rather substantial dozes of self-hatred, because I don’t really take advantage at it as much as I should. I don’t embrace it at every opportunity – far from – which is probably something I’ll regret the day I die.
But sometimes I actually do take advantage of it. I put on my rather sporty hiking outfit, close the front door and look up towards the mountains with a healthy mix of awe, fear and joy. Because I know how painful it gets once I’m through the quiet woods and reach the foot of the track leading upwards towards my destination: the resting station where I can write my name in the book so that everyone will know I was here.
People notice these things, you know. And they talk about it. Don’t ask me why – I’ve never understood really it.
Steep and painful, with a pulse of at least 160 for the first forty minutes. Maybe even more. Am I about to die? Is this it? Why didn’t you just stay at home with a beer, doing some more research on Henrikh Mkhitaryan? Perhaps he signed while you left your laptop. You suck; you’re not fit for this. Go home and watch some more Youtube compilations of Simon Mignolet and Luis Alberto.
One thing never fails though: the joy that goes with the pain. Enjoying the trip, no matter how intense your heart is beating and how much your lower back hurts. Because it’s worth it in the long run – or so I’ve heard. Come to think of it there was actually a guy who died up there a few years ago, during the annual mountain race from the marina and all the way up. I hope he thought it was worth it.
Once I had reached the top and admired the view for a while I started thinking about Liverpool. Drawing parallels. Because supporting Liverpool FC can sometimes be strikingly similar to this feeling: the agony and the reward, and sometimes having to force yourself to enjoy the journey.
It’s been the same for 25 years now, ever since Dave Beasant saved that penalty from John Aldridge; the monumental day that was the start of my affinity towards Liverpool Football Club, which I often replay in my mind. Five years later I started what I describe as my conscious relationship with the club, and ever since it’s been the same – every season. Well, not exactly the same. Because the thing is, it grows on you.
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Every season that passes – every point and trophy gained and lost – you become aware how big a part of you it has become. It defines you. This isn’t something I can walk away from – and I wouldn’t swap it for anything.
Which is why I’ve decided to start enjoying it more. The ride, the journey; our rise from the ashes. Starting this season. No more obsessing about marquee signings or the club lacking ambition; no more allowing myself to be concerned about not making strides up the table or about the lack of a midfield presence. I’m simply going to take a deep breath, sit back and see what happens.
Because it’s easy to get caught up in the frenzy about “top four or else Rodgers gets the boot. We are Liverpool; we have standards.” Which is exactly as absurd as it sounds. There is no divine right, not for us and not for anyone else. Reality is that we are far behind those we want to measure up to, and if I were to place a bet I certainly wouldn’t bet on LFC breaking into top four this season.
We may even be out of it by February or March, as we tend to be from time to time. But it won’t be a disaster to me, because I think we’re on to something as a club. The bigger picture is slowly being unveiled, and I like it.
Liverpool need to keep working – keep building on the foundations laid last season – methodically and thoroughly at every level, brick by brick, until we get there. Because if we have that patience – if FSG allow Brendan Rodgers and maybe even another manager to do this – we will get there in the end.
I wholeheartedly believe this. And I will sit back and watch it unfold; still anxious and passionate, and critical to the manager when he deserves it – but hopefully with an increased ability to embrace what the club is trying to do.
Which is easy to say now, of course. You may shove this swiftly down my throat if I throw a hissy fit mid-season.
@ChristerEikrem is my Twitter thingy.
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Brilliant article and I agree, apart from the exceedingly well run Germans, and arsenal, every other club is up to its eyeballs in debt. Those Spanish signings we made were cheap because the clubs we bought them off are broke.
I really like the steady progress we’re making. Allen and borini are increasingly making more sense the more buys we make as they really do fit in with Brendan’s style and philosophy.
I’m going to suggest we give him time. 5-7 years he needs like fergie had. Shanks needed a decade to truly lay the foundations for paisley.
Lets not forget that Brendon’s is a student of the game, he’ll be watching the Germans and will be working on a fusion of footballing styles. First and foremost though we need to crack our own league. Europe next!!
???? 5-7 years. This guy is Alex Ferguson in disguise , trying to ruin our club. Every year with Rodgers we become mire and more average
You lost all credibility when you said Allen n Borini makes sense. You obviously don’t understand anything bout the game
This article is completely true. we LFC Fans we need to have patience. We will get there with BR. We need to have confidence in the players and also we must pray that Suarez don’t leave. This Team will be one of the best if he stays and will be very challenge-able in all fields.
Wake up . We will never be any good under a useless useless man like Rodgers. Worst manager in our history
this is nonesense article.liverpool as club need to challenge for thropy
what if our target this season is top 10? BR philosophy?????? if fergie spent 5-7 yrs, shld every other manager do the same? is fergie b/4 man u </= brenda b4 lfc?
Touche. Couldn’t be said better.
Rubbish article . Sit back and watch Liverpool continue to struggle under the inept Rodgers
This writer is a dreamer , it Will never happen under this regime
Rogers is a man who in very little time assessed the mess and by January created something with direction and purpose . We had the best record in the league January to may Barr Manu and Tottenham . That’s better then Chelsea arse and citeh. With a good start and confidence building things could happen and we could be the surprise package next year . Suarez isn’t the issue here. Sturridge is the quickest goal scorer to 10 goals in history of the club. It’s crucial to the club that he stays fit . Suarez is a bonus he’s no good missing 6 games then getting banned later on in the season . So get behind a great manager who is learning fast . Breeding confidence on his players. It’s up to us fans to enjoy the ride now because its very special what he’s building with results far quicker then Fergie achieved . We need luck with our summer signings I think toure will be a revelation . It’s going to be close so let’s all be the twelfth man the club needs.
This manager is clueless and so are you.
We were NOT third best since January . Get your facts right. League table from January shows Liverpool were 6th.
And what you said about building faster Ferguson is WRONG . Nowhere even close
You shouldn’t comment unless you actually know what your on about
It strikes me that lfc have no money to spend unless it is raised through sales.
Indeed it appears that if jay goes then FSG will be in profit. The abject failure to bid for mkhitaryan,you can forget the article that we matched dortmunds bid as we did not talk to the player or club. It is quite simple really, fsg to Brendan ” get the wage bill down and buy cheap young players so we can make a nice profit when we sell the club in a couple of years”. Rogers out.
LFC need to sort themselves out before the glory days will return. Your mad if you think these corrupt yanks care about LFC. No success til the yanks and their lackey Rogers is gone.
Oh this will be far too much for the 20/20 supporters who expect an 8th place rabble to be transformed into a premiership winning team in 1 season. Even if the back part of the season we were top three or four on results.
I wonder if when we start to rocket up the ladder over this and next year the same sooks will be putting their greedy hands up with an apology.
You have never uttered one intelligent comment on this site EVER !!!
have you??
He just did
Are u totally stupid ozred ? You must be !
It’s been stated many times that Liverpool were 6 th in the league since January not top 4.
So why are u continually spreading that lie ? Get a clue
8th place rabble ? ….get a grip of yourself kid.
That 8th place rabble got to two cup finals and was filled with world class stars…..1 year later and our squad is getting worse nd worse filled with second rate players
Firstly, they were still an eighth placed rabble.
Secondly… haaaaaaaaaahahahaha. World class stars… Who were they? Kuyt? Carroll? Adam?
I’ll take Coutinho, Sturridge, Allen and Borini over a 31 year old Kuyt, Bellamy, Carroll and Adam every day of the week. If you think those hobo’s were the way forward then good luck to you my friend…
Borini and allen ? You really are a total idiot !
Total total foooool
Really stupid ‘lets ignore reality’ article. Fools like this author bang on about things like “the bigger picture” , as if they can see it whilst others cant…it doesn’t exist.
The only picture concerning fsg is – at what stage they Will give up on their pathetic plan of – qualifying for CL by having a cheap manager and not spending money – it will never happen. When it fails they will sell
They are in thus to make money , and they will pull the wool over the eyes of as many gullible fans for as long as possible
There is no bigger picture , it’s just gullible morons stupid enough to believe the bull from fsg