Historic Liverpool Has Great (and Unrealistic) Expectations
“Unfortunately for them and fortunately for us,” Craig Bellamy said following Liverpool’s Carling Club victory over Cardiff City on penalty kicks, “no-one is going to remember what happened, it’s just going to be another trophy to this club’s great history.”
That may be true, but Liverpool’s great history, weighed down with such silverware, might actually be working against the Reds this season; certain entrenched methodologies and (dare I say) great expectations can take their toll on a team by clouding its collective judgment and fillings its fans’ heads with false promises. There is already talk of Liverpool squeaking into the top four this year, despite being seven points back heading into their match with the red-hot Gunners.
The Telegraph, in reporting on ‘Pool’s “Campions League ambitions,” claimed that “It might seem a strong statement to some, but Liverpool’s Carling Cup success could prove to be a defining moment in the club’s history.”
Are you kidding me?
A defining moment in the season, I’d be willing to grant. Maybe. But a defining moment in the club’s history? To quote my favorite bird-flipping cartoon mooninite, I hope you can feel my eye-roll from there, because I’m doing it as hard as I can.
Since when does a win against a team not in the Premier League (on penalties, no less) constitute a history-defining moment? Yes, the win will undoubtedly inject the team with a healthy dose of confidence, but for the love of Lloyd George, it’s just Cardiff City—without arguably their best player—and at times Liverpool didn’t look all too deserving of the win, especially on defense.
I guess with Liverpool, as with other “historic” teams in the EPL, their reputation precedes them. And don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing inherently problematic with an expectation of winning, but has everyone lost their minds here? Liverpool will need an incredible winning streak along with another team (or two) to have a prolonged slide in order to make a run at qualifying for the coveted Champions League (and all the cash and recruiting access that comes with it). I hope they can do it (without Suarez, preferably), but I like to keep my goals realistic.
FEATURED PARTNERS
- Chimp Vs. Baby
- What Happened To Lil Kim's Eyebrows?
- Christina Hendricks Dressed In Leather, Posing With Weapons
- Seattle Seahawks Star Chris Clemons -- You May Now Divorce the Bride ... for $500,000
- Britney Spears' First Husband Is RIPPED!
- Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. -- Socked with DUI Charges
- Weekend Buzz, Presented By Olivia Wilde and the Greatest GIF in the World
- Michigan State Finally Offering Crucial Class on Upcoming Zombie Apocalypse
- BroBible Presents: Hilltop Hoods Live at Santos Party House