Fans hate the idea that players consider their personal careers as well as their loyalty to their club. When Keegan announced that he was off to Hamburg at the end of the season, the Kopites' adoration turned to hate. I suggest that's why Owen was mealy-mouthed about his plans to move to Real Madrid and kept coming up with weak excuses as to why he hadn't signed his contract.
Yes, I try not to get too filled with hate.
I'm always disappointed when I player I really like and think is great decides to leave the club - or sometimes has that decision made for him, but anyway - and of course the way they go about it and circumstances can make that process more or less bearable and annoying.
But I can usually understand (sometimes even respect) why they left, as long as it's obviously to a better club, or better players, or a superior manager, higher chance of winning trophies, whatever.
It's hard to put yourself in their shoes, too. I'd like to think that if I was able to captain Liverpool, and get paid a fortune, win some trophies and play with some great players, then I'd be like Gerrard and turn down opportunities to join other clubs like Chelsea, Real or whoever. But what if you just wanted a change of scenery? A life-style change or the opportunity to play in a different country? They might all be factors.
Carragher I think summed it up in some ways "Where's bigger than Liverpool?" and that's great. But not everyone thinks the same, or has that emotional, visceral connection the club and city, and even if that is cultivated over time, it's not an umbilical cord.
I find it much harder to understand the vitriol that some local/ local hero players get when they leave clubs like Everton, or Southampton or Newcastle. It's much easier to leave Everton than Liverpool.
