I'll be 42 a few days before the Newcastle game. Dad took me to see the Reds play Dundalk in Landsdown Road in 1977 and I remember most everything since then on... Watched the best teams we've ever had beat other top, top teams for fun. I wouldn't say that I took it for granted necessarily, but I certainly grew up accustomed to success. I STILL think that the 5-0 Vs Forest is the greatest display of football I've ever seen and that Beardsley's pass to Aldo was poetic.
But I have NEVER enjoyed a season as much as I'm enjoying this one. Ever. And I've NEVER been this excited about the big games that face us...
Back in the good old days, we expected to win everything, every year. It was fun, but it wasn't new. And it certainly wasn't always pretty. Back before they outlawed the backpass, our away games were often less than exciting viewing. But this season, it's completely different, because we expected nothing more than a solid improvement and a challange to make next year's European Cup. All of this - EVERYTHING - is a surprise and it's fresh and new and there's absolutely NO pressure on us... We're not supposed to win this thing. Hell, we're barely supposed to push for top 4, so all of this is a bonus - A big, beautiful, sexy, intoxicating bonus that I'm enjoying every single fucking second of.
And the manner in which we're winning these games makes it even better... For the most part, we're not beating teams, we're battering them, swatting them aside. Spurs were beaten before they took the field yesterday. Arsenal & Everton practically so as well. We're becoming what we once were again, and we're doing it in a manner that is wonderous to behold. The team is fresh & likeable, the manager is already in top form and learning more each week, and we're the darling of the neutral. Anfield is a fortress again, and we're only going to improve as this team matures and gains even more confidence. If we add one or two decent defenders, we'll be even more formidable next season and beyond. That's the thing - This is STILL a long term vision that we've yet to attain... We're THIS good, waaaaaaay ahead of schedule. It's NEXT season and beyond that were supposed to make us dream, not this one.
That's why this year is so special. 'Cos it's so ficking ridiculous. And so utterly wonderful.
Yes, of course, it'll be the best thing ever if we hold on and win it all, but even if we don't, this has still been a brilliant, child-like experience again this season. It's been magical. 2005's European run, just every single week, instead of for just 10 games or so. And it's been so fucking exciting... My stomach has been in knots basically since we destroyed Arsenal, and it will remain so until it's over. The first thing I thought of as the final whistle blew yesterday was the West Ham match next week. I'm obsessed again. Hasn't been this way since I was a teenager.
And I fucking LOVE it. Win it or fall short, this one is special. So, enjoy it. We may never see another one like this again, because from here on in, we'll expect to challange. This one is so special because it's so fucking outrageous!
With hope in your hearts... 😉