COVID-19 has shattered the hopes of a city on the rise again in world football.
By Wahaaj.
The Reds. Whatever hue of fan you may be, I'm sure you will agree Liverpool have been a most enjoyable team to watch this season. Even die-hard Man City fans cannot argue about a team that only lost a couple of points out of all of their 29 matches. Liverpool has always been an aspiring team, even at the worst of times. Since Jürgen Klopp became their manager, he has pushed Liverpool to their boundaries and ignited their red flame to heights Anfield has always dreamt of. Liverpool red, said to have been Shankly's choice of kit colour who reportedly exclaimed: "red for danger, red for power" looms triumphant.
The players, fresh from the Champions league trophy of 2019, have given more than expected since that unforgettable experience for the Liverpool fans in Madrid. The last time they had won the finals was in 2005. All the more poignant at the back of the 20th year anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster that uncovered uncomfortable truths about British society. This part of Liverpool's history and the fight the city has been having with media stereotyping is not as well known as the football team, what with their transfers and signings making hitting world headlines. Many of its stars are of course global, the legendary Mohammed Salah- to whom the fans still chant out in their loudest voices- and Virgil Van Dijk who is considered to be one of the finest defenders on the field today.
However, whilst Liverpool was climbing high, a different kind of opponent had struck the Kop. One more deadly than the devils from across the Pennines. Coronavirus. Like a tiger clutching its prey Covid-19 has got the world firmly in its claws and to this day in May it is still holding the world in its jaws. But going back to football, the virus has affected the Premier league very badly. When the Covid-19 first hit, UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin stated that Liverpool will not win the league if the pandemic forced the Premier league to end prematurely. This is exactly what happened but some people are still unsure if the beautiful game could be continued and give the Reds a chance to win the domestic league for the first time since it was rebranded.
Liverpool, a much maligned city in the press needed this trophy more than most. As Merseyside continues in the struggle to define itself as a major route for investment, few know about how wonderful the city is for a day out, with the docklands and museums all within walking distance of each other and North Wales just a stone's throw away.
No wonder the fans are fuming. Many think that UEFA are being very harsh upon the club as they have not won a main domestic league title since 1992. Undoubtedly Liverpool have played better than any other team this season, standing an astonishing 25 points clear of second-placed Manchester City. Unfortunately though the way things are going the Premier league title will not be theirs until another year at Anfield where they will have to show the same finesse and excellence to secure a title. However, there is a glimpse of light at the end of the tunnel as the Bundesliga has already started in German. Could this trigger a very late unexpected Premier league restart? Find out next time on City Bugle!