Imagine this.
You’re playing a side, undefeated at home all year. A side which still has a faint crack at the title. A side which will throw all its resources in the most desperado fashion possible in order to secure nothing less than three points. A side which ….. the list goes on and on.
It was a delicately poised situation for Liverpool Football Club. Strip points off Arsenal, and you’ll know Fergie will be subtly ringing in those champagne bottles. It was paradoxically at its best – self-contradictory – you win some, you lose some.
To bite the bullet and accept the bitter fact that subduing Arsenal meant presenting the title on a plate to Manchester United was no easy feat. But Liverpool is, and will always be, far greater than that. They owe no one favours, and they fight for the Club, the badge.
Now, to me and you – what is courage?
Courage is a simple yet abstract term – there is no one definition to it. Is it felt by the heart? Or concentrated, then carried out by the mind? No one really knows, but one thing is certain.
In the era where greed rules, Tom Hicks and George Gillett brought the Club to its knees, shaking the very core that Bill Shankly once built into a bastion of invincibility.
The Club, emerging through its most tumultuous moments in the past 50 months, has conjured up courage to continue fighting for a better tomorrow, a brighter future.
Money reigned, political infighting ensued, but bravery, that sense of belonging, and courage drove the fans and manager together to fight for what they believe is right.
It paid off.
Now, as Liverpool embarks on that long road to recovery, other forms of courage has illuminated.
For FSG, it was courage to sell one of their most prized assets, Fernando Torres, then break the bank to sign 22-year-old Andy Carroll. For Kenny Dalglish, this courage came to the fore when he placed utmost faith in Academy youngsters in light of the recent defensive crisis in the Liverpool back four.
Yes, what a moment it was for young Flanno and Robinson. Not many get the chance to run out at one of the finest stadiums in the world at 17 years of age. Their courage meant they exhibited maturity that belied their tender age.
The clash at Emirates was a classic – showcasing all elements of unwavering belief and courage. Courage in the face of adversity. When van Persie scored in the 98th minute, we had courage to keep our chins up, courage to belief, and courage to score.
The clock ticked past the 102 minute mark, and Kuyt, having underwent enormous fatigue running tirelessly, had the courage to slot the ball with conviction to kill off Arsenal’s finally derailed title hopes.
And what is the one thing that is certain? That this Liverpool, has much more courage than any other side that plies their trade in world football.
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