The True Extent of Liverpool FC’s Debt
Tom Hicks and George Gillett Jr, owners of Liverpool FC arrived in a whirlwind of optimism, their first words uttered to reporters were peppered with big promises, comfort, and security.
They ‘promised’ to help Rafa buy the players that would put Liverpool back where they are supposed to be. They comforted the supporters by saying they wouldn’t “do a Glazers” and plunge the club into debt.
The fans could not help but gobble up the piffle, believe the lies, and rejoice at the prospect of a new stadium and star players to skyrocket Liverpool FC to the summit of English and European football.
Two years later, and the outlook is nowhere near as rosy.
Now Hicks and Gillett are two of the most hated men amongst Liverpool supporters. Their names, if they dare be mentioned, are spat out through the gritted teeth of most fans. The state they have plunged the club in, the lies they have sprouted, and the impossible position they have put Rafa Benitez in is unforgivable.
They recently had to refinance the loan they took out to buy the club in the first place, and now the club are paying £1 million interest every nine days. That’s right, £1million interest every nine days. They promised they wouldn’t “do a Glazers” but that’s exactly what they’ve done, and worse.
They have claimed nearly £2million in expenses in the past two years. What for? To fly back and forth to the USA and “legal and third party consulting.” Aren’t new owners supposed to put money into a club, not take it out?
They promised a new stadium two years ago, a state of the art venue with a capacity of 70,000. It would give Liverpool a stadium to be proud of, a stadium as good as, if not better than, Old Trafford. Instead the land on Stanley Park—where the stadium is planned to be built—remains untouched, but for a spade put in the ground by a fan; a symbol of frustration and anger at this false dawn.
They promised Rafa money to buy the players to enable him to compete with the best, yet every summer Rafa and the fans are left frustrated as another transfer window passes by without significant investment.
Last summer Rafa wanted Gareth Barry, not Robbie Keane. But Rick Parry was reluctant to let the Barry transfer go ahead, and instead Rafa had to go for Keane, a striker that simply did not fit into his system. One thinks that was probably the final straw for Rafa, who was thankfully given full control of transfers earlier this year.
Having full control is fine and dandy, but Rafa couldn’t buy Gareth Barry with buttons, which is why one year later the Aston Villa midfielder went to Man City. Alonso wanted to leave, no one can argue with that. Barry would have been the ideal replacement but instead Rafa had to settle for the injured Alberto Aquilani, the Italian who is expected to fill the gap and bolster Liverpool’s title challenge when he returns in October.
Glen Johnson, in all fairness, is looking like the buy of the summer. But fans were still expecting someone else to give the squad an extra boost, that cutting edge to bring title No. 19 home. But the likes of David Silva and David Villa never came.
At the moment, Liverpool are stumbling on the pitch and many are writing them off. Many are tipping Rafa to go, some so-called ‘fans’ are even calling for Rafa’s head. This is because they don’t understand what a dire state the club is in. Now they do know, and hopefully they will understand.
The club will not be back where it wants to be unless Hicks and Gillett sell up. Us fans can only hope, but we will not be holding our breath.
Rafa Benitez and his attempt to bring back ‘total football’
The new football season is edging ever closer, and my appetite for the game is growing ever stronger as that elusive kick off approaches at 12.30pm this Saturday (Chelsea v Hull, if you’re wondering). I’m not a fan of Hull or Chelsea, but it’s that satisfaction of seeing the underdogs try and overturn the prima donnas of the Premiership that will make me heave that huge sigh of relief. This is not another season preview blog though; if you want one of those there are millions on the web. My concern is with my own team, Liverpool FC, and the education I’ve received about them during these football-starved months.
During this agonising summer I have tried to alleviate my football withdrawal symptoms by reading up about my favourite club. On a forum, notably Red and White Kop, an educated member posted a lengthy three part thread about the philosophy of Rinus Michels, advocator of the much lauded Total Football strategy that the famous Dutch World Cup team of 1974 used to excellent effect, only to be thwarted by those bloody Germans in the final.
The user on Red and White Kop described in detail the ideals and methods behind total football, and how Rafa Benitez is implementing it at Liverpool FC. I feel all Liverpool fans should read it because it will make you understand some of Rafa’s more questionable decisions, and give you hope and confidence that a new era of dominance is almost upon us with Rafa at the helm.
The three parts are below, which make excellent reading:
http://www.redandwhitekop.com/forum/index.php?topic=225700.0 (Part 1)
http://www.redandwhitekop.com/forum/index.php?topic=225701.0 (Part 2)
http://www.redandwhitekop.com/forum/index.php?topic=225239.0 (Part 3)
And here is his discussion on whether there is a possibility for ‘Level 4 football’
http://www.redandwhitekop.com/forum/index.php?topic=234701.0
I can never top this fan’s interpretation of Rinus Michel’s framework and how he has related it to Rafa Benitez, but I can summarise Michel’s key points because I feel all football fans should be aware of it (and coaches).
The framework emphasises the need to cultivate youth talent; bringing home grown players through a club’s academy lays strong foundations for the implementation of the framework – this is because the right mentality is required for squads to play in the style of total football from the first team right down to the academy.
There are three levels of growth for a total football squad:
- Level 1 is ‘backs to the wall football’ (think relegation strugglers, teams that ‘park the bus’ so to speak).
- Level 2 is more of a counter attack style and a deep defensive line (think Liverpool between 2002 and 2007/8).
- Level 3 is the pinnacle; domination football, characterised by a high defensive line, high intensity pressing of the ball, exceptional possession football and quick, incisive passing in small areas (think Liverpool near the end of the 2008/09 season, notably the convincing wins against Real Madrid, Aston Villa and Blackburn).
An important element of Level 3 football is having quality players who make the right decisions when under pressure. Players like Javier Mascherano, Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres, Dirk Kuyt, Yossi Benayoun (and Xabi Alonso before he left) all have this ability. Another characteristic of a ‘dominant’ footballing side at Level 3 is full-backs that support the attack at any given opportunity (Insua, Johnson, Aurelio) and centre backs that also like to join the attack (Daniel Agger). Players who are exceptional at keeping the ball are crucial with this much defensive sacrifice.
But, Liverpool fans, do you now see where Rafa is heading with this team? Do you see how and why we obliterated teams so convincingly near the end of last season? It is proof that Rafa’s plans are starting to come to fruition, and with a more consistent implementation of Level 3 football (this is why Torres and Gerrard, and now Lucas and Aquilani, are so important) we can really start to bear the fruits of Rafa’s careful and intelligent approach.
This is not a comprehensive education on ‘total football’, I wanted to outline the key points and trends that resonate with Rafa Benitez’s current squad. I have missed a lot out and I strongly recommend fans read the links I gave above. Not only will you get an education in football, you will also get renewed hope for the season to come.
Q and A with Linden Dovey
Linden Dovey (below right) is a striker for Stourbridge FC. This interview was originally featured in the magazine Midlands Non League Monthly, which you can view at http://www.mnlm.co.uk.
1. Which position do you play?
Striker.
2. Which team do you support?
Wolves.
Copyright James Marsh www.jamesmarshphotography.com
3. Describe the best goal you have scored?
It would be when i was playing for Shifnal Town against rivals Bridgnorth Town. I scored a 35 yard strike to equalise which would then help us to a 5-2 victory.
4. Best game you’ve played in? (and why)
My final at bescott stadium last year for Shifnal town against Coalsville. I scored a penalty in the 2nd half to win the game for us and also received man of the match.
5. Best player you have played with?
When I was at Aston Villa as a schoolboy I played with Luke Moore who’s currently at WBA and Gary Cahill who’s now playing for Bolton Wanderers.
6. Best player you have played against?
I played against Jody Craddock and Matt Jarvis in the Birmingham senior cup this season for Stourbridge Town.
7. Best game you have ever watched?
That would have to be Wolves getting promoted with a 3-0 victory over Sheffield United in the 2003 play-off final.
8. Favourite all-time player (and why)
Paul Gascoigne.
9. Which team do you hate the most? (and why)
Obviously West Bromwich Albion.
10. What is your earliest memory of football?
Michael Owen’s wonder goal against Argentina in the 98 world cup.
11. Favourite boots?
Nike Vapors.
12. Who do you think is the best player in the world right now?
Cristiano Ronaldo in my opinion is the best player in the world at the moment, closely followed by Messi and Kaka.
13. Best away ground you have played in?
Walsall’s Bescott Stadium, Burton Albion’s Pirelli stadium and of course Wolves Molineux.
14. Best ground you have visited? (as a fan or player)
I visited old Trafford many years ago.
15. Finally…the best dressing room prank you have seen (or done?)
At Shifnal Town a couple of players took everyone’s shoes while we were all on the pitch, then tied them altogether and hid them.
Worcestershire FA: Bringing the Beautiful Game to Everyone
This article is originally from Karen’s online magazine Midlands Non League Monthly, which can be viewed at http://www.mnlm.co.uk.
There is more to the Football Association than disciplining clubs and players, regulating football and running cup competitions and leagues. The emphasis it places on development is rarely publicised and one of its pioneers is Worcestershire County FA, just one of the many county branches of the governing body.
Copyright Worcestershire FA
Matt Jones, Football Development Officer at Worcestershire, considers football development a key aspect of the FA’s work: “Its ensuring that everyone has access to the beautiful game regardless of age, gender, disability or ethnicity. Furthermore, it’s supporting people to access the beautiful game in the way they would like too whether it be as a player, a coach, a manager, a referee or a young leader, or indeed the unsung hero of grassroots football, an administrator.”
The Worcestershire FA carry out development work in may areas of the game. ”In relation to player development we work on not only the physical and technical aspects of young players, but also their psychological and social development. This is called the ‘four corner’ model and it helps youngsters to grow as people, not just footballers.
“We support the Tesco skills programme for five to eleven year olds, there are Player Development Centres for more talented youngsters aged 11 and over, and we also support Kidderminster Harriers FITC to deliver their Girls Centre of Excellence programme. Even if young players apply to these centres and don’t make it past the assessments, we have Player Workshops for any age and skill level. At the moment we are also piloting the FA Youth Award, we’re the only county to do it so it’s really put Worcestershire on the map.”
A lot of emphasis is placed on youngsters, but Matt insists his work stretches much further than that: “football is a tool that can be used to bring people together, and we do this by prioritising areas in the county that are particularly deprived, and placing emphasis on equality. Furthermore, the environment in which we all enjoy grassroots football is managed through the promotion of both the FA Charter Standard Scheme and the RESPECT Programme, both of which are national initiatives”.
The FA also holds courses for coaching and refereeing, runs mentoring schemes for women and girls football and holds small-sided football (‘Futsal’) leagues for men and women. All of these schemes are part of a new FA campaign, called ‘Get Into Football’. Matt is just one of the 270 Football Development Officers in the country responsible for providing as many opportunities as possible for them to get involved in sport.
“My job is so rewarding” Matt said. “It’s inspiring to work with volunteers and players who share my passion for football.
“I’m involved in football because I want to make a difference. I want to get the best out of players and create an environment which allows them to express themselves through the beautiful game.”
Evesham manager Paul West: “I can’t praise my players enough”
This article is originally from the online magazine Midlands Non League Monthly, which you can view at http://www.mnlm.co.uk.
Two years ago, Evesham United won their first trophy in 13 years – the Worcestershire Senior Invitation Cup. This year they are in the final again but they are truly the underdogs; they are up against Conference side Kidderminster Harriers.
Copyright Karen Patel
Manager Paul West has engineered a magnificent first season in the Southern League Premier for The Robins after they were promoted last year. As well as the cup final, they reached the first round of the FA Cup and they were also close to being promoted again, only to miss out narrowly on the playoffs.
Paul puts the success of this season down to the togetherness at the club. He said: “It was always difficult because we don’t have our own ground and we don’t have any extra income. Our gates are probably the worst in this league, so from the football club’s point of view it’s really tough.
“Despite that we’ve stuck together and in terms of atmosphere its absolutely fantastic simply because we have come in with one of the lowest playing budgets in this league. Other clubs have players that don’t turn up for pocket money, and that’s what we’re up against so I can’t praise my players enough for what they have achieved.”
Kidderminster Harriers are currently chasing promotion into the Football League so the cup final will not be their highest priority, however Paul still believes his side have a tough game ahead of them.
“I’m sure if Kiddy [Kidderminster] put out their reserve team, they’ll still have some good quality players. I’m really quite fortunate though compared to other managers, I haven’t had to worry about relegation this year so this cup final gives us something to look forward to. It would be nice to have something to show for our season’s efforts.”
Since this interview, the Worcestershire FA Senior Inviation Cup Final has been put back to August 1st.
Lincoln Moses MBE, a pioneer for change
This article is originally featured in the online magazine Midlands Non League Monthly, which you can view at http://www.mnlm.co.uk.
Lincoln Moses MBE is manager of non-league football team and social enterprise Continental Star. He has recently been honoured by the Queen for his services to the underprivileged in Birmingham and appeared on Channel 5 News in April. Here is his story:
Around 30 years ago, a teenager by the name of Lincoln Moses trudged into the boxing ring. He looked up at the man standing opposite him, a fearsome serviceman more than double his age and twice the size, his hateful eyes burning through his young opponent.
The fight began, the serviceman pounding the teenager, venting his anger and channelling his fury into every punch. The young Lincoln simply took it, and waited for his moment to strike back. Just when the serviceman thought he had taught the boy a lesson, he felt a crushing blow to his head. Lincoln had kicked him. However, instead of being commended for his tenacity and fighting spirit, the teenager spent a day in a police cell.
Copyright Karen Patel
That was when Lincoln Moses decided to leave the army for good, and pursue his love of football and leading people. What was a terrifying experience at the time turned out to be a pivotal point in his life, at a time when options were limited for young black boys like himself.
“The only options for boys like me back then were either a low paid and unskilled job, college, or drugs.
“At 16 I decided to join the Army because of these lack of opportunities. There was so much racism though; some of the sergeants and commanding officers despised me, but I took any punishments in my stride such as the fight against the serviceman. They just did that to test my character, but after that I knew it was time to leave”.
After the army he started to play football, and whilst working at a brass company he discovered his passion for leading others and making a difference.
“I was on several trade union committees, and despite the racism I learnt to stick at it, because people were starting to realise my potential”.
Racism hindered Lincoln throughout his early career, especially when he helped to form the country’s first all-black football team, Continental Star, in 1973. The club was prevented from joining any leagues however simply because of the colour of its players. In 1975 it was eventually invited into the Birmingham Works League, and that was when Lincoln, now General Manager, began to build the club into a social enterprise.
After much success during the eighties the first team were moved to the Midland Combination League in 1993, which is where they remain today. Whilst football is still a top priority – the club boast football teams ranging from Under 7’s to Over 35’s and a women’s team – the social aspect of the club is what makes it so unique.
Lincoln said: “There is no cut-off point for joining Continental Star, we take in people of all ages. We have a women’s group for unemployed and single mothers. We arrange a lot of after-school activities such as homework clubs where kids get one-to-one help. We also take them on trips and provide free food.”
Part of Lincoln’s motivation for setting up Continental Star was the amount of gang warfare and crime within Birmingham at the time, and though little has changed, Lincoln feels he has helped many disadvantaged people build new lives for themselves.
“Gangs have been going on since the 18th Century, but nowadays I think the influence of television and music has made it more widespread. Drugs and the stranglehold it has on people have resulted in the gangs we see today. It is a city-wide problem which is getting out of control.
“Drugs and gangs will always be there, but I think football is the vehicle for change. As a football club and a social enterprise, we have been helping kids get off the streets and find jobs since the 1980s.”
His determination to help the underprivileged in Birmingham, and his ethos of promoting a healthy lifestyle and good education was what led him to recognition in this year’s Queen’s Honours List. All of this is achieved without much funding.
So why doesn’t every non-league club do what Continental Star have, and use football as a platform for change? Lincoln thinks it is asking a bit too much, especially given the current economic climate.
“Other non-league clubs haven’t followed in our footsteps simply because they haven’t got the capacity and knowledge, but I understand where they are coming from. At the moment it is hard for these clubs to stay afloat.”
Andy Burgess…a man of many talents
Copyright Karen Patel
This interview is featured in the online magazine Midlands Non League Monthly, which you can view at http://www.mnlm.co.uk.
Most footballers have a few outside interests – golf, punditry, appearing in magazines with their WAGs – but few have as much on their plate as Rushden and Diamonds’ Andy Burgess.
His CV is probably one of the most impressive amongst his peers; few can juggle management, journalism and semi-professional football. So how does he manage it?
“I’m lucky really because we finish training at around half past twelve, and people say that’s not much but you can’t come into training everyday and run around for five hours, rest is just as important, even though I don’t really get a lot of time for rest.
“We do get a lot of time on our hands after training in the afternoons and it leaves me time to do my bits and pieces. I’m not the kind of person to go home and just sit at home, I have to have other things going on and it helps me to switch off from Rushden.”
Few current players have a regular column in a national newspaper, but Andy took it upon himself to brush up on his journalism skills and with a little luck and persistence he managed to get his break.
“I was doing a foundation course in journalism and towards the end of it they told me to get some experience in a newspaper office, so I sent a couple of emails out to some national newspapers. The Mirror then came back to me asking if I could write a non-league football column for them because no one did that at the time. I snapped their arm off for it and that was three years ago now. It’s been fantastic for me.”
Andy began his footballing career at Luton Town, spending four years in their School of Excellence, however when he was 16 he was turned down for a YTS contract and instead moved to Rushden and Diamonds. He has remained there most of his career, apart from in 2006 when he had a brief spell at Oxford United but he returned to Nene Park 18 months later. When he was making those tentative steps into football ten years ago, Andy had no idea he would end up doing so much.
“When I came into the (Rushden and Diamonds) youth team, I focused on getting into the first team, getting a pro contract, and trying to further my career. When you get to the age of 25 and you’re lucky enough get a long-term contract you can settle down and do other things.”
With such an early retirement age, footballers face more pressure than most to decide what to do once they have hung their boots, and extra pressure is placed on those that don’t earn the big bucks of the professional players, such as Andy. He stresses how important it is for non-league players to have a contingency plan in place:
“At about 25 you have to start thinking about what you’re going to do after football. If I didn’t have any clue I’d be a bit worried because you never know, all it takes is one late tackle and that could be the end of your career, so you have to have something to fall back on. This makes it important for me to get other things in place for when I do finish.”
Andy has already decided that he would like to pursue a career in management when he retires, rather than continue journalism. “If you had asked me four years ago I would have said journalism,” he said. “But being involved with Forest ladies as a manager has definitely given me a taste for management in the men’s game.”
You would think playing football, managing a ladies’ team, writing a column and hosting a web chat show would be enough, but not for Andy. He is currently in discussions with teammates regarding a book about Rushden and Diamonds from the view of the dressing room.
“The book would be an interesting read I think, there’s going to be no holds barred. We will just talk about the players who have played here and the experience, because so much goes on here that the fans have never seen.
“That’s all I’ve got going on at the moment, and I do sometimes get time to play football” he jokes. We’re surprised you get time to go to the toilet Andy, never mind play football.
Visit www.soccerx.co.uk for all the latest non-league football news, and to see Andy’s chat show every Wednesday. You can read Andy’s column ‘View From the Bottom’ every Monday in The Mirror.
Fifty-eight years as a non-league fan, but I can only remember one player
Written for University article portfolio, January 2009:
There are many types of football fan in this world; you’ve got the hooligans, the glory hunters, the armchair fans (who worship Andy Gray), the ones who need an excuse to drink in the afternoon without judgement, the ones with a fleeting interest, and finally the mind bogglingly, ridiculously faithful.
Halesowen Town fans Ken Cox, 70 and David Hancox, 68, definitely fall into the final category. They have both been supporting their team for 58 years, and the admirable thing about this is that Halesowen have never made it into professional football. Yet these men brave all weathers, the terrible pre-kick off entertainment (which mainly consists of eighties music blasted out over the tannoy) and the same uncomfortable plastic seats to support their boys.
Between them, they can’t remember much about their beloved team’s past, but I could see their eyes twinkle with each probing question as their minds wandered down memory lane.
When asked about his favourite player, David recalled a popular character who must have been very special to stand out amongst 58 years of non-league football.
“I can only remember one player; he was called ‘snapper’. He was great; he played for us about eight years ago”.
‘Snapper’ was otherwise known as John Snape. His 213 appearances for Halesowen between 1992 and 1998 ensured he could be remembered by even the most forgetful of fans. He wasn’t at the club eight years ago though.
“The only problem nowadays is that the players are changed around too often” says David, who used to play non league football himself. “That’s why I can’t remember who plays for us”.
This sentiment probably rings true across all levels of football, but it is comforting to see people like Ken and David who still support their club despite the wholesale changes.
For many die-hard fans, there are too many games to choose from when asked what your favourite is. That 8-0 victory, that cup final, that derby win. Ken and David could only remember one, a victory over Rushden and Diamonds.
“That was about eight years ago,” said Ken. “It was a great game. I can’t remember the score but I know we won”.
That particular game was a 2-1 league victory in the 1995/96 season. Rushden were at the top of the league, and Halesowen were second. That win closed the gap between them to three points. By the end of the season however Rushden held onto top spot and were promoted to the Conference. Again it wasn’t eight years ago, but it must have been a memorable one.
After 58 years, Ken is still hopeful that his team can make it into the Conference North. “We will do it, I know we will, we have a good manager and some good players”. David is more pessimistic. He said: “I think we’ll reach the playoffs but no further than that. There’s too many players going in and out of the club and the team isn’t settled”.
A final test of the memory for my favourite non-league fans: I asked them how the game has changed over the past 58 years, hoping that the cut off point is not eight years again.
“It’s too defensive now” says David. “The football used to be more exciting back then, and there were more goals”.
The game has changed almost beyond recognition, with the huge turnover of players, managers and chairmen whose primary focus is on keeping their club financially afloat and according to Ken and David, more emphasis on shutting the opposition out rather than playing entertaining football. Yet these men have stuck with their beloved Halesowen Town through thick and thin, and this is rare nowadays with fans opting for more popular and successful clubs (such as the aforementioned ‘glory hunters’).
Fifty-eight years of memories seem to have merged into one player and one game, but you can guarantee Ken and David will be at Halesowen Town next Saturday to brave the freezing cold and nostalgic sounds of Culture Club to cheer on their boys.
Sheffield United win compensation from West Ham, but do they deserve it?
Written for Bleacher Report, September 2008:
West Ham have been fined £30 million after a Football Association Arbitration panel ruled in favour of Sheffield United.
If you don’t know the full story, Sheffield United were relegated from the Premiership in 2007. They lost 2-1 at home to Wigan on the 13th May. On the same day West Ham managed to beat Manchester United 1-0 at Old Trafford to keep themselves safe—Carlos Tevez scored the vital goal.
Tevez and his former team mate Javier Mascherano were brought to West Ham under controversial circumstances. Businessman Kia Joorabchian played a major part in the transfer, and it turned out that his company part-owned Tevez. This was in breach of Premier League rules that forbid third party ownership, and West Ham were duly fined £5.5 million.
Sheffield United complained that West Ham should have had a points deduction, and if this had happened then they believe they would have beaten the drop, and West Ham would have gone down. What added further support to their argument was the major part Tevez played in West Ham’s survival.
For me, it is scraping the bottom of the barrel.
A club’s survival is ultimately in their own hands, and so Sheffield United shouldn’t have demanded a points deduction and, in my opinion, shouldn’t have demanded compensation.
They got themselves into the relegation dog fight so it is their fault.
Yes, West Ham were in the wrong and they paid their fine, but they shouldn’t be made to suffer because the Premier League didn’t deduct points from them.
Now they have to cough up £30 million, leaving them with a massive financial deficit.
If the Blades were worthy of belonging in the Premiership they would have bounced straight back up in 2008, but they didn’t. Furthermore, they are currently languishing in 15th place in the Championship.
Sheffield United are likely to be £30 million better off, but West Ham are thinking of taking legal advice.
I hope they do and I hope they win their appeal. In my opinion, Sheffield United do not deserve such a payout because the Premier League made their initial decision not to make a points deduction, so they should live with that.
Liverpool FC should come with a health warning
Written for Bleacher Report, October 5th 2008:
So far this season, my heart has gone through so much strain thanks to Liverpool FC—and it’s only October.
The Reds are renowned for their comebacks, but so far this campaign they seem to be coming thick and fast.
Wins against Marseille, Middlesbrough, Manchester United, and now Manchester City have seen Rafa’s side turn a losing position to a winning one.
The roller-coaster nature of Liverpool games is not good for one’s health.
The Liverpool fan experiences so many emotions during a game—the disappointment of conceding a goal, the hope of a goal scraped back, the frustration and regret of missed chances, and the unrelenting joy of a last-minute winner.
My heart is constantly palpitating during such encounters to the extent that I feel as if my chest is going to explode, which is why I would like to issue a health warning to my fellow Liverpool supporters.
My dear friends, if you have a nervous disposition or a heart condition, please refrain from watching our matches. Instead, check the end result, and then you can watch the highlights later, safe in the knowledge that you won’t be risking your health.
Many times over recent years have I almost turned into a dribbling mess thanks to Rafa’s comeback kings. The relief of the final whistle is what saves me from near death or insanity.
Yet, making me go cold turkey from my Merseyside heroes will surely reduce me to a stint in a psychiatric ward or a rehab clinic.
So I will carry on putting my heart through such turmoil, until a doctor tells me that I have to stop (even then there is no guarantee I will).
