Wow, Liverpool are Fun!

I want to talk about Liverpool. Specifically, this year’s Liverpool. But first, let’s start by discussing my all-time favourite Liverpool season.

My all-time favourite Liverpool season is 2013-14, when Suarez, Sturridge and Gerrard shot us to 2nd place in the league. The season was a heavy one, played in the shadow of the Hillsborough inquests, Suarez’s biting ban and what felt like (and was) Gerrard’s final chance at a title. The best game was a 3-2 win at Anfield over Man City, which was played on the 25th Anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster. I don’t think I’ll ever forget the pre-game, where the entire stadium sang “You’ll Never Walk Alone” acapella while Gerrard warmed up in the sun beneath the flags and banners of the Kop. When the full-time whistle went, Gerrard cried (me too) and did an impromptu military style team-talk. Liverpool played with black armbands that day. What I’m trying to say, is that that whole season felt like history being written. It felt important and meaningful. The themes running through it were tragedy, struggle and destiny. It was a wonderful, unforgettable season, but it wasn’t exactly fun.

That season’s team is all gone now. Gerrard has retired, Suarez has left and Sturridge is on loan injured (get well soon buddy). We have a new team now, and this years team is fun.

Fun? Liverpool has always seemed to exist with a higher purpose unrelated to the concept of fun. But yep, that’s what this team is. It starts with the players. The heart of the team, Roberto Firmino, plays with a childlike joy. 14% of his goals have been no-look. He dresses up in Mortal Kombat cosplay in his spare time. Previous teams played it straight with their celebrations, exploding with pent-up emotion. Firmino celebrates with a playful self-awareness, as if he realises that this is just a game and we should have a good time. Sadio Mane takes this self-awareness to the next level by copying Firmino’s celebrations.

The other players are great too. Loris Karius and Emre Can are caricatures of German boyband members. Nathaniel “Clyney” Clyne has been injured the whole year, yet still found the time to appear in and be humiliated on Love & Hip Hop: Miami. Alberto Moreno walks his dog with a hoverboard and should definitely be a guest commentator after he retires. And then, of course, is Mohamad Salah, who is just uncomplicatedly perfect.

Manager Jurgen Klopp embodies all the “serious” values of the club with his passion, socialist politics and empathy. Yet he is able to do so without the overwrought moralism of the (definitely un-fun) Brendan Rodgers. Klopp is fun. Can you imagine Shankly getting away with something like this? Would Rodgers have described a victory like this? Klopp is comfortable in his own skin, gaining the trust of his players by believing in them and treating them with warmth. He is the ultimate cool-dad manager, equally inspiring and self-aware.

Obviously, though we are sitting pretty in the league and Europe, there is still a fair way to go in the season. We could easily collapse against City next week and Chelsea are not out of the top 4 race just yet. But this week I’m just thankful. Thankful that our team is playing such good football. Thankful that our owners (who are 50% fun) are competent and not a corrupt oligarch or an actual country. And, thankful that this team has been so much fun to watch and support.