On Tuesday, 7th May 2019, football reminded us why we fell in love with it in the first place. Like a renewed lover who can never lose her spice, she reminded us that even though we have been in this relationship for so long, she can still leave us breathless.
What a performance it was. Liverpool did not just defeat Barcelona physically, but technically, tactically, and ultimately intellectually, too. Barcelona, considered by many the greatest team in Europe, were outsmarted by a 20-year-old from West Derby in Merseyside. A 20-year old that once again proved that football is not a respecter of age. Trent Alexander-Arnold was still thinking when Barcelona stopped for the fourth goal, meaning he sold them a dummy that resonated across the globe as loud as any shot, sending Liverpool to Madrid on June 1. In the final analysis, this remarkable journey will not culminate on Merseyside, but in Madrid. After the miracle of this night and of this season, they deserve nothing less.
It is a cliché but Anfield is truly a special place; so special that even the greatest players in the world can cave to the atmosphere. On nights like this, emotions take on flesh, drive consumes the spirit and determination trounces talent. The takeaway for everyone is that at times, talent is not enough, and every time, hardwork and sheer drive will defeat talent. As Les Brown will say ‘How bad do you want it?’
However, one of the subtle stories (and there were many of them last night), was the audacious inscription on Mo Salah’s shirt. Mo Salah choose the occasion to wear that shirt. The inscription ‘Never Give Up’ exemplified everything about that Liverpool performance. The odds were staked against them. Not only were they facing arguably the best partnership in world football (Suarez/Messi), they were also missing two of their most potent partnerships (Salah/Firmino). Few gave them a chance, but the team believed. That belief is something we all need in this life, irrespective of what path we take.
As Martin Samuel of the Daily Mail remarked ‘This was a magnificent performance, of not just courage but footballing excellence. There is so much more to Liverpool than that ferocious press yet, on nights like this, it is those moments that resonate. How do they keep it up? How, amidst the most hard-fought title race in history, do they find the energy for this?’ It is difficult to answer as there will always be conjectures. One thing is constant though, at times, adversity brings out the best in us.
Like the renewed lover, football reminded us that though it is the hope that kills us, it is still the same hope that makes her magical. Long may she continue to seat at the iron throne of our hearts.
No comments:
Post a Comment