In other words, these are a couple of weeks that every fan has to live through. Most of Liverpool’s games last season turned into tests of Kopites’ mental strength, and the gaps between them were a welcome despite from recent poor performances. At the time, Jurgen Klopp’s side had endured a trophyless campaign and a top four finish was out of the question.
Fans would be risking their lives by putting too much stock in the “stress” of three quick home games. This is especially true considering that each of the following matches will be played at Anfield, filled with an additional 7,000 fans cheering on the home team. It’s approaching the club’s biggest crowd in 50 years and will not only put on a great show, but can also give you that extra boost you need to get over the line during a tough game. “We need Anfield, we really need Anfield,” Klopp said before the home run. “Like I said, it’s tough and they’re all big games. “Man United and Arsenal are big games, West Ham is the quarter-final and a big game and Boxing Day (against Burnley) is also a big game.”These four games are better than away games, but it’s still a big challenge.” If Liverpool come out of this period with three wins and three good performances, it will surely create a wave of confidence that will last until the end of the season.
Former club captain Phil Thompson certainly sees it that way and finds the current squad’s encouraging position all the more exciting considering they are yet to finish top. He told This Is Anfield: “We still have a long way to go but I think a lot can come from this group of players. “In the last few games we have found a way to win and even when we win the league we always find a way to get a result.“I don’t think we’re 100 per cent in midfield yet, which was worrying us all, but that’s the good part of the team. We can play better than some of our games but we have a good chance because we are second in the league. “December is a busy time. If we can pull that off, we’ve got a good chance.”John Barnes also sees the team as capable of continuing to deliver big honors thanks to their good performance in the recent transfer window.
“It was clear we had a problem in midfield last year, but we resisted the urge to bring in midfielders just for the sake of it,” he said. During this period we managed to sign Diaz, an excellent striker of the right age for each position. And Nunes.“This year we solved the problem [in midfield]. It’s no surprise [that they are struggling] because Liverpool do their home work in terms of players who fit the style they want. “It’s good, we’re in a good position to challenge for the title.”Getting rid of the jitters ahead of Liverpool’s big week may be difficult for some, but recent history shows that it’s far better to be in that position than to do nothing to be nervous.
With a mouth-watering clash with bitter rivals Manchester United, a Carabao Cup quarter-final against West Ham and the chance to take a point against title rivals Arsenal, there is no bigger threat. Of course, it will be difficult for many to ignore the fact that United have not performed well in their last three league games, or that one wrong move could spell disaster for the game ahead. But these empty cup feelings inspired by recent shows ignore an important aspect of fandom.
