surely had huge defensive problems, which led to the heartbreak later on, but the beauty of the football being played, cannot be denied the honour of romanticism.”
To my fellow Liverpool fans, look around.
We are happy people.
We were waiting for a trophy for so long, and many of us; just like me, wanted it so badly with a big reason being the fact that after winning silverware, our club would finally not be questioned and have something concrete to show for, in front of the sporting empire.
A Champions League title in 4 years from just a solitary Top 4 finish in the last 5 years and 3rd highest ever points total in the 130-year history of the top division of English football, as breathtaking as it may sound, may not be enough to picture where we are now.
I became a Liverpool fan almost 7 years ago (this piece was written after the CL triumph), in the fall of 2012, when as a 15-year-old, I wanted to support either a fallen giant; a club which is huge and historic but had its fall from grace, or a club which is coming up against all odds; and not with unlimited oil money. Thus I have a soft spot for Arsenal, Tottenham & Bournemouth. Steven Gerrard always stood out as a lone warrior in those times and that was in part the reason I started supporting Liverpool. Imagine the agony if I had gone with Arsenal.
The amazing & memorable 2013/14 campaign was my first full season, and boy was I in for a treat. I was in the 10th standard during that season and it became even more special because that ecstatic campaign was coupled with my best and most happening school year.
Everyone up front was on fire. Luis Suarez, Daniel Sturridge, Phillipe Coutinho, Raheem Sterling; Steven Gerrard. We thrashed teams right away like it was a routine for us.
I remember one day in February 2014 when it was my school fete, and on the ground, I saw something I didn’t want to, and it hurt deep. I sobbed and consequently went to sleep in the noon. When I woke up, guess what I found? League leaders Arsenal are down 4-0 at halftime at Anfield. We were insulting the North Londoners with our dominance
We were at home against Manchester City in what was touted to be a potential title decider. Sterling showed exquisite composure for his goal which he didn’t possess earlier in the season. We went 2-0 up but once again got pegged back 2-2 thanks to some bad defending. But minutes before time, a throw into Kompany wasn’t cleared properly by the Belgian big head, and it fell in a tricky position for Phil, 15 yards from goal. He side-footed it, and at full time, I saw my legend Steven Gerrard cry tears of happiness as he hid himself doing so.
Just one day before I went to my school in 11th standard as I needed a change from a place with mixed memories, it was the game between Chelsea and Liverpool where we essentially lost the title. I remember that sad day, with the second goal being the last stab in the back. I guessed that my next 2 school years would not be so great now, and I wasn’t wrong.
The picture of Suarez crying himself out and Gerrard trying to console him after the shambolic draw against Crystal Palace is still a fresh memory in my mind.
It has been 5 years since that season. Many things have happened since, and it looks like the future is even more bright, and the Champions League title may well just be the start if it all goes fine.
And it makes me smile thinking about where we are now. Thinking about that 2013/14 season makes me smile, in the way that we are finally here. Finally, we are not the underdogs but the roaring Reds. Finally, we don the best Red jersey in Britain.
I have so much more to say and hopefully, I would as the new season comes to dawn, but for now, I’d just say that just like there is always that one point, one incident, one moment in your life which makes you believe that this person, this passion, or this thing, is going to play a big part in the rest of your life, the 2013/14 season was the one I will always remember.
Every time in football it would be a moment of happiness or one of sorrow, that season is the one I will always remember.
