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rurikbird

rurikbird

Part of the Furniture
Honorary Member
It's a new feeling, watching Liverpool these days. I can't describe it or even find the right word... Calmness? Contentment? Inevitability? That's not how Liverpool usually makes you feel. Maybe people who followed Liverpool in the 80's know what it's like, but for me since 2004, I've felt hope, excitement, anguish, dark despair, but this – it's something new. Anybody know what I mean?
 
rurikbird said:
It's a new feeling, watching Liverpool these days. I can't describe it or even find the right word... Calmness? Contentment? Inevitability? That's not how Liverpool usually makes you feel. Maybe people who followed Liverpool in the 80's know what it's like, but for me since 2004, I've felt hope, excitement, anguish, dark despair, but this – it's something new. Anybody know what I mean?
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I don't know what you're talking about.
I've been following this club since mid 70's and I've never felt any calmness during games. I'm always nervous as hell.
Even today when we were approaching HT, and we only had that first Salah goal, I was anxiously expecting the 2nd which would calm me a bit.

True - whenever we were drawing or losing (which was not too often) and the clock was nearing the 90th minute, I always had that hope/feeling that we will somehow win.
But I've always had that feeling, even in our darkest days.

So no change for me...
 
Most of my manc mates are jealous as fuck and grudgingly acknowledge how potent we are and how exciting we are to watch. Their beady eyes turn into slits of envy. It sounds so good to hear that from them while Jose serves up that utter anus juice. Especially for me as a person in their 30's who grew up watching Utd dominate the premier league in style (let's face it, they did).

If only we had added trophies in the last few years.... I won't Klopp to be our bacon face.

*spits*.
 
rurikbird said:
It's a new feeling, watching Liverpool these days. I can't describe it or even find the right word... Calmness? Contentment? Inevitability? That's not how Liverpool usually makes you feel. Maybe people who followed Liverpool in the 80's know what it's like, but for me since 2004, I've felt hope, excitement, anguish, dark despair, but this – it's something new. Anybody know what I mean?
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Not quite there yet, but you are one of our most astute posters, so hoping you are ahead of me as usual. We have been much more efficient at putting away the weaker sides, even with sub-optimal performances. Now, with the addition of Van Dijk, the emergence of Robertson, and a more assured goalkeeper, a lead does feel a little more secure. But years of scarring tell me not to relax too soon, and it takes either a 3 goal lead, or 2 with 90 minutes on the clock until I breathe more easily.
 
What new feeling? You mean the we can beat anyone feeling? That's not new, and I'm not feeling it just yet. Cause we can't.
 
Modo said:
What new feeling? You mean the we can beat anyone feeling? That's not new, and I'm not feeling it just yet. Cause we can't.
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No, some of the past Liverpool teams could also "beat anyone" on our day, especially at Anfield. This is something about feeling of control, as opposed to inspiration. Today we were in 2nd gear for most of the game and still won 5:0, could have scored more. Again, I'm not sure I can express it right, but it starts to feel like with Salah doing what he does up front, with the support of Firmino and Mane, we operate on a different level to the opponents in most games (I don't mean the big teams obviously), the battle is often won before it began and the game is just about managing energy.

Yeah, we can still lose to Swansea or West Brom when we are complacent, but it's more like when Bayern or Barca loses to someone in the league – that becomes a story in itself, something out of the ordinary. The inquest begins among the fans and pundits: that's not normal, how was it allowed to happen? We went on good runs of from and won consecutive games convincingly in the past, under Rodgers or Kenny for example, but that was always a battle, a big exertion of energy or a consequence of several players being in good form – this is the first time in my time supporting Liverpool when a 5:0, 4:1, 3:0 win starts to feel normal.
 
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Has the mangers attitude towards football started to filter into the fans via the team?
 
Markeh said:
Has the mangers attitude towards football started to filter into the fans via the team?
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Yeah good point. I would say so. I've been lurking on redcafe for a few weeks now and they are in abject misery while (fair play to them) are waxing lyrical about some of the football we play compared to them and utterly envious of our master Egyptian. It's a fun time. Now if we beat City - Which is a tall order. It will be a fantastic season and one that is only going to get better next season. We'll see but the signs are fucking good.
 
I suggest the calmness may result from the improvement in our defence lately. Robertson has solved the left back problem and Van Dijk is doing what we paid all that money for - organising the whole unit including Karius, who is proving to be useful after a wobbly start.
 
Barba Roja said:
Eh? I'm only talking about being positive dreamy FFS. It's a work in progress and to my mind it's going nicely. Which is what @rurikbird is saying I believe.
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Hey I'm positive we are winning the CL but it doesn't mean I expect us to win every week.

Utd and was a good example. I didn't expect 3 pts.

We are playing lovely stuff but we still have plenty of room for improvement before we are at that dominant level imo
 
The feeling that I will not fall asleep watching this team play. They either keep me on tenterhook on defence (before VVD) or absolute delight with every attack.
 
Yeah I was saying the other day that it feels like we are less likely to press the self destruct button at the moment. That said, I still live in fear of it all collapsing around us - Liverpool being good has been a brittle and temporary phenomenon for what seems like an age.
 
Agreed, @rurikbird

I think this is a result of several factors actually.

The introduction of Robertson, Van Dijk and Karius. This has improved our defence massively. They highligheted this before yesterdays game. It showed how differently we set up when we attack now.
Which has resulted in not being caught on the break and out of balance defensively.
It can be down to more intelligent defenders positioning themselves better, reading the game etc. But its also down to the next point.

The reshuffle of the midfield after Coutinho’s exit. The fab 4 made us horribly loopsided and the inclusion of a more hard working defensive skilled midfielder has given us another level of balance.

The introduction of the one legged bionic class act Van Dijk has given us some much need leadership but also size, physical presence and heading ability. He wins most of his duels and we’re far less vunerable to be put under pressure when teams hoof it against us.

Its also given us another dimension of passing ability from the back.

Robertson Carlos. What a signing he has been. The left hand side of our defence is now on par with the best in the League, after having been a brainless, defending like headless chikens torn in our team and defensive approach.
Not only is Robertson a brilliant attacking minded left back, but he has surprised me with some very good defensive performances as well. Tough as nails and great pace.

TAA and Gomez developing into good Premier League players. More experience and knowledge of the tactical game.

In summary, we look more balanced, vocal and defensively sound. It generates confidence as we already know we can score goals at any time.

Its most enjoyable being a Liverpool supporter these days. Exciting times ahead.
 
I think you didn't mention the biggest single factor this season – Salah. There is nothing like a lift that comes from playing with a genuine superstar in your team; the likes of Torres, Gerrard and Suarez gave their teammates this lift in the past and now it's Salah lifting everyone's spirits. And terrorizing the opposition too – that goal where 3 Watford defenders and a goalkeeper were left for dead by a sharply executed, but ultimately simple cut inside was just comical in the way it showed how that fear is making the defenders facing him dumber and weaker then they actually are. Salah is benefitting from his growing "fear factor," but so is the rest of the team.

By the way what's his salary now, around £90K/week? I think the club should sit down with him at the end of the season, ask him how he feels and whether he would like to commit to this club as the star player and one of the faces of the club. Obviously double his salary. Ask him to perhaps recommend us some other North African players to sign. With each game so far he's proving to be very much the player you build your team around.
 
Yeah, but Salah goes without saying and he’s been contributing all season.
It was more a focus on whats changed during the season and how it has progressed.

But yes, Salah is one of the biggest if not the biggest reasons.
Absolutly a player you bulid your team around.
In fact I’d say that Firmino also can be mentioned. Not only has he scored 14 League goals, the same amount as Lukaku but is the best forward in the World defensively.
Klopp said yesterday that he has never had this in any of his teams before.
That work rate and defensive skill from the front.
Our front 3 now has just about everything.
 
I said a couple of games back that I find myself relaxing in most of our games now, even before we score.

I feel like it's inevitable we'll score, & I no longer have to worry about the opposite scoring each time they attack.

1 nil up yesterday for ages & I found myself just revelling in how well we killed the little rhythm they found on occasion & how little energy we seemed to spend in doing it.

It's a remarkable feeling.
 
rurikbird said:
No, some of the past Liverpool teams could also "beat anyone" on our day, especially at Anfield. This is something about feeling of control, as opposed to inspiration. Today we were in 2nd gear for most of the game and still won 5:0, could have scored more. Again, I'm not sure I can express it right, but it starts to feel like with Salah doing what he does up front, with the support of Firmino and Mane, we operate on a different level to the opponents in most games (I don't mean the big teams obviously), the battle is often won before it began and the game is just about managing energy.

Yeah, we can still lose to Swansea or West Brom when we are complacent, but it's more like when Bayern or Barca loses to someone in the league – that becomes a story in itself, something out of the ordinary. The inquest begins among the fans and pundits: that's not normal, how was it allowed to happen? We went on good runs of from and won consecutive games convincingly in the past, under Rodgers or Kenny for example, but that was always a battle, a big exertion of energy or a consequence of several players being in good form – this is the first time in my time supporting Liverpool when a 5:0, 4:1, 3:0 win starts to feel normal.
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The last time I felt that way was when Benny was in charge. We're clearly improving but I personally feel that we're far off. One, maybe two injuries, could decimate our entire team.
 
We've been one or two injuries away from disaster forever. It's only the oil clubs and to a lesser extent manure that aren't in the same boat. From the moment Rafa bought Torres he was utterly reliant on him and Gerrard being fit and in form and every time either pulled up everyone looked at each other and said 'season over'. We had it before Rafa with Owen. We've had it since with Suarez, we thought we had it with Countinho, we've defo got it with Salah. It's the nature of always only having one or two world class players in your squad... it's not like we're not used to it.
 
Barba Roja said:
Just as an off point - I thought Ings was fantastic when he came on. Easily could slot into that front three if one got injured.
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Yeap I was going to mention that too after having just watched the highlights again. Very unlucky not to have scored.
 
Woland said:
We've been one or two injuries away from disaster forever. It's only the oil clubs and to a lesser extent manure that aren't in the same boat. From the moment Rafa bought Torres he was utterly reliant on him and Gerrard being fit and in form and every time either pulled up everyone looked at each other and said 'season over'. We had it before Rafa with Owen. We've had it since with Suarez, we thought we had it with Countinho, we've defo got it with Salah. It's the nature of always only having one or two world class players in your squad... it's not like we're not used to it.
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I'd argue that we're much less reliant on one or two players than we have been though.

Sure, you take out a forward & we're not as good, but we still have enough to be able to beat most teams in the league, in the past when a Gerrard or Torres wasn't there the entire side looked lost & bereft of ideas, now we play the same way, we're just less effective, which is big difference, & a positive one.
 
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