Liverpool Football Club - A Battle of Expectation Vs Reality!

Liverpool have finished 6th, 8th, 7th, 2nd and 6th in their last 5 Premier League Campaigns. On paper that doesn’t make for good reading, in fact it’s downright depressing. As simple as those numbers are, they present a strong argument on where the club is at this present moment. Significantly off the pace!

If we’re going off the infamous ‘par’ theory, we should be comfortably 5th each season, awaiting slip ups of those above to capitalise and reach the promised land. Once in the top 4, it’s about fighting tooth and nail to remain there, because with Champions League comes riches, rewards and ultimately progression. Those of which we’ve not seen nearly enough, nor used intelligently enough when we’ve had the rare opportunity over the last decade. I’m however not going to use historical standing or financial value to cloud my judgement of where the club should be. You have to look at the present, be truthful, honest and face the realities of our situation.

On one hand you could argue we’re just underachieving, badly using the funds at our disposal, whilst poorly utilising talents in our squad and academy. On the other you could argue that we’re just not a big club anymore, we’re a clear tier below the current top 4 and hopes of becoming top 4, even title challengers in the near future, are pure and utter fantasy. The fact that some supporters will be divided on the above argument, partly show why there is clear divide, which for me is part of the problem. If the supporters can’t agree with expectations, conflicts begin to occur and that to me has led to a fractured and disharmonious fanbase.

As Brendan Rodgers enters his fourth season as manager, all supporters must be questioning what progress has been made under his tenure. On the face of things we’ve won no trophies, finished in the top 4 once in 3 years and have seen star players leave each summer. Again, that’s purely a black and white view, but if as a club we’re not judged by those parameters, what do we measure success by? For me what’s crucial in everything is progress. Have we evolved, developed and established a successful approach consistently. The answer is no, but I wouldn’t say hope is lost.

The famed second place finish brought hope and consequently expectations were raised. Rodgers and the squad at the time were rightly praised, but as last season showed football has a habit of bringing a slice of humble pie to all managers, players, even supporters. Our success (if it can be called that), was extremely short lived and we’ve been rightly removed from our pedestal. For me that’s no bad thing. We needed to go back to basics and recover the strengths that made us a winning side.

As bitter as last season was, we’ve come out the other side, still breathing and with a little more fight in our bellies. The results hurt, ego’s burst and the underdog tag, once again is firmly fixed around our necks. As shown vs Stoke, we’ve begun to not shy away from a physical challenge, we’ve added some intensity and drive into the side and that should pay dividends. We’ve also added some solidity, we look like a team harder to beat. A side that dare I say it, is being built from the back, at least until the front is fit and firing.

As Liverpool line up to face Arsenal on Monday night, we’ll get a sense of where this club is headed. Not a full or detailed picture, as it’s too early in the season to make those judgements, but still a good idea. No matter the result, I hope supporters respect we’re only two games into the season. Win, lose or draw expectations need to be contained.

Right now I’m giving the club inclusive of players, supporters, even (controversially) the manager a fresh start. A blank slate, expectations removed, which trust me is extremely hard. I’m looking forward to seeing this side grow and develop; for the key players to find consistency and cohesion. If it fails, then a certain head will roll, but the components and core of the future of this club will remain. Yes I want success sooner, but if progress and a clear change of direction is made, I’ll wait a little more patiently for the later.