Logicless Logic

why we sing.

I originally wanted to post this on Facebook, but waxing philosophical about a loss does nothing but invite gloating rival fans to add in their 2 cents (or more) worth, so here I go. Something for myself to read again.

As a Liverpool fan since the age of 9 (I am 26 as I write this so 17 years and counting), I've witnessed the barren run in the league from the moment I started watching football. I've seen ups (Champions League 2005, Treble (some say mickey mouse) in 2000/01, Fowler, McManaman) and downs (Roy Hodgson, Hicks and Gillette). I am a Liverpool fan, and have been one through the period of Man United dominance, and have developed a somewhat rational distaste for the team (it's only natural no?) mostly because of some fans who just love to rub it in. And why wouldn't they? They were winning everything there was to win, with Fergie at the helm, developing a rather powerful aura. But more on that later. I'm writing about Liverpool today.

Today's loss was cruel, slightly harsh on the performance, but also a big lesson on what we lacked. Stevie's "This does not fucking slip" at Norwich came back to haunt him in a cruel twist of fate when he slipped and let Demba Ba through on goal. Long story short, Ba scored. Longer story short, we lost. The race for the title Stevie covets so much has been thrown wide open, albeit slightly wider for Man City. I might not be the most objective when it comes to support. Basically, everything Liverpool does is right, and everyone else is wrong. But I try to be objective when it comes to analysis, and so have refrained on giving snide comments regarding the disastrous season Man Utd are having at the moment. After all, I've been through it. For Moyes, read Hodgson, and for Giggs, Dalglish (when eventually results stop going his way). And through the bad times, I've persevered in my support for the Reds. And after talking so much bullshit, I've finally gotten to my main point (which admittedly can be quite short). Why do we sing our song?

You'll Never Walk Alone is LFC's iconic club anthem, and the words say it all.

When you walk through a storm,
Hold your head up high,
And don't be afraid of the dark.
At the end of the storm
There's a golden sky
And the sweet silver song of a lark.
Walk on through the wind,
Walk on through the rain,
For your dreams be tossed and blown.
Walk on, walk on
With hope in your heart
And you'll never walk alone.
You'll Never Walk Alone.

The message is clear. Never give up. Realistically speaking, there will be times when never giving up seems like the stupidest thing to do. When your best is not enough, what do you do? Walk on. As fans, we sing our song, and along with it, send our messages of our hopes and dreams and encouragement to the players. Hope is a heavy weight to bear, but it also gives one the motivation to push through, and give their all. Having experienced the electric atmosphere in Anfield, I personally feel that it DOES give players a lift. In Istanbul, the song sent a message of defiance, and showed that we will not go down without a fight. And while the players give everything to try to bring home number 19, the song sends them a simple but powerful message. The fans are behind you. You'll Never Walk Alone.

justin.

PS. But also even more realistically speaking, need to upgrade the squad la. It lacks attacking depth, and fullbacks. Johnson really cannot make it liao.

posted by justin @ 1:11 AM