The view from the ground: Manchester United

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Today was important on two different levels for all-things LFC. Firstly, Spirit of Shankly had organised a march from the Supporters Club to the main stand. Following that would be Liverpool Vs. Manchester United, a fixture that could easily make our break our season.

The first part of the day went brilliantly. A great turnout for the march, estimated to be around 5,000 at its peak, made their voice heard about the current ownership of Liverpool Football Club. The estimated number seems to be around 1,000 higher than when the march to place before the same fixture last year, showing increasing support for the Supporters Union in their mission to get the current owners out of the club. Let’s hope Tom Hicks and George Gillett heard from the directors box.

After the march all attention switched to the game, we’d made our point off the pitch and it was time for the players to make their point on it. Taking my seat in the Upper Centenary I felt the that feeling that you only get a few times a season, the feeling before a big game. It’s not the kind of feeling you get before Stoke in the league, or Barnsley in the FA Cup. No. it’s a special feeling reserved only for those games of high stature, games against rivals and games which cam make our break a season. This game had to go down as all of those things, there was pressure on the team, the manager and to top it all off it was against our fierce  and current champions Manchester United.

With kick-off just minutes away a wave of beach balls hurtled towards the pitch from the three sides of the stadium. These weren’t any over-priced LFC beach balls from our clubs shop though, these were beach balls covered in phrases such as ‘liars’ and ‘Yanks out’ another clear protest against those at the top at our beloved football club. For me this was the perfect way to do it. The idea was relevant after Sunderland, it gets the attention of the watching media and most importantly it doesn’t have an impact on the game as many claim anti-Yank chants do during the 90 minutes of the game.

YNWA finished and the game kicked off. Being completely honest there wasn’t too much to speak of in the first half. A few minor chances for both teams with Liverpool looking the more likely to finish despite United having the majority of the possession. One thing that can be said about the first-half is that we looked up for it, we looked like we knew what this game meant and we were going all out in order to get the win. On top of this United’s defence looked weak under-pressure, neither Vidic nor Ferdinand could handle a half-fit Fernando Torres, possibly showing United aren’t quite as good at the back as many claim.

The second half was a totally different story. We pressed from the off and in the 64th minute Fernando Torres found the back of the net. An already electric Anfield went crazy like we haven’t done in a long while, that goal was more than just a goal, it was showing exactly what we could do and it was sending us in the direction of a win against one of our most bitter rivals. Those minutes between the two goals was like hell on Earth. Whilst we were still playing very well United pressed harder, trying to get that crucial equaliser. Bringing on Owen didn’t help them all that much, as expected he received an angry reception and he deserved it too. Seeing N’gog go through in goal was one of the best feelings of the day, well, apart from when the net rippled moments later.

So, a 2-0 win in a game where most had written us off. Some would say it’s the Liverpool way in recent years, we always seem to prove our worth when many consider us down and out. We have an amazing ability to bounce back from the brink of turmoil and turn things around, it’s what this club is about, when times are hard we work together and show the world just why we are Liverpool F.C, just why we are the best team in the world.

M. Owen

michael@empireofthekop.com

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4 Comments

  1. I thought Carra and Agger were collossus in defence.

    Not forgetting the stability Aurelio brought to our left side plus the grit fighting spirit of our Mascherano and Lucas, working hand in hand together !!!

    Torres.. he is just simply brilliant !!!

    Kuyt and Benayoun could have shot better with the opportinities they had… Lucas would have been slaughtered as a scapegoat for his rugby kick.. if we had not won !!! :-(

    Nevertheless an afternoon of HIGH DRAMA well worth our win !!
    Even if Masch has to sit out the Arsenal game for his automatic one match suspension ..

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