Why winning the FA Cup could represent a new-era in Liverpool’s love affair with silverware
The 13th of May 2006. The FA Cup final. The Gerrard final. A thunderous long-range goal from the captain to save the day; which was eventually decided on penalties.
The 7th FA Cup in our illustrious history – and who’d have thought it would evade our grasp for the next 12 years – far too long for a club of our status. A tedious record, that could realistically be put in the past this season.
Winning trophies was the bread-and-butter for the Liverpool of old – but has somewhat stagnated in recent times – 6 long years since our last piece of silverware (the League Cup 2011-12) – and certainly shouldn’t be neglected this season.
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LEICESTER, ENGLAND – Tuesday, September 19, 2017: Liverpool’s goalkeeper Danny Ward looks dejected as Leicester City score the second goal during the Football League Cup 3rd Round match between Leicester City and Liverpool at the King Power Stadium. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Moan all you want about our Monday night frustrations in Wales, but this season is far from over, with the FA Cup, Champions League and 2nd in the Premier League up for grabs – and as optimistic as I am; the FA Cup is the realistic route to lifting something shiny.
It’s a true reflection of progression; not stats, goals, points or projections – it’s adding to the trophy cabinet that matters. I don’t think you can understate just how desperate us fans are for Jürgen’s Reds’ to take the next step. Not that we haven’t been close.
Pyro, songs, flags and broken hearts in Basel after collapsing in the second-half against Sevilla in the Europa League final; then the agonisingly-close League Cup Final against Manchester City; which we lost on penalties.
So close after some monumental efforts to reach these opportunities, but perhaps a tad early in terms of Klopp’s project to execute a winning strategy (though the latter was purely down to luck).
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – Sunday, January 14, 2018: Liverpool players stand to remember former player Tommy Lawrence during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool and Manchester City at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
I think this season is all about prioritisation – and I’ve seen plenty suggesting we should should play a much lesser equipped team in Saturday’s FA Cup tie with West Brom.
Personally, I think that’s madness. I’m sure there’s fringe players and youngsters chomping at the bit to get a run-out, but cup football is very unforgiving and it’s gambling with how the final outcome of the campaign will be criticised.
Not just that, but after going 18 games unbeaten, we cannot afford the Swansea slip-up to have a derailing effect – straight back on the horse, and back into an unbeatable mentality. Mixing around with the squad and using a weakened team against a Premier League side could prove fatal.
Obviously, this is just an assumption, but I’d feel a lot more comfortable with our strongest team possible making sure we progress into the next round. (I’d keep an unchanged team bar Trent Alexander-Arnold for Joe Gomez).
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SWANSEA, WALES – Monday, January 22, 2018: Liverpool’s manager Jürgen Klopp throws the ball to Joe Gomez during the FA Premier League match between Swansea City FC and Liverpool FC at the Liberty Stadium. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
I know there’s bigger fish to fry, as in securing a top-four spot, and putting every ounce of energy into attempting the unthinkable in Europe, but that’s no reason to disregard a clear chance of silverware.
I honestly think we can have a real push on all three fronts – but fear an early FA Cup exit could genuinely harm the squad morale.
I’ve always thought there’s a hoodoo surrounding Liverpool getting back into the rhythm of consistently winning things again – whether it’s the untouchable glory of yesteryear; the enormous expectations weighing heavy on their shoulders (though that’s part-and-parcel at Liverpool Football Club), or just a mental issue I.e. succumbing to the fear of failure.
Whichever it is, we need to break that cycle – and only coming out victorious in one of those competitions will do so – the FA Cup the likeliest.
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LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – Sunday, January 14, 2018: Liverpool’s manager Jürgen Klopp celebrates after his side’s 4-3 victory during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool and Manchester City at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
And I can’t think of a better incentive to players currently under contract or undergoing talks with new acquisitions, that to play for Liverpool, is to fight for trophies. Year in, year out. World class players move to secure a legacy – as in, something to show for their career – we need to prove this is the destination to do just that.
Every year without a trophy, the pressure intensifies.
We’re more than capable of blowing teams away in minutes, and have steadily become difficult to defeat – which is very promising – but I think there’s a large percentage of fans that just want all the flashy-football to lead to a trophy.
When fully committed, we’re outrageously good – good enough to win the FA Cup, and (dare I say it) even slay a few of Europe’s big-boys.
Good things come to those who wait…
Up the Reds!
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