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Liverpool F.C. – The Good, The Bad & The Ugly – Football Returns

Ben Green

At long last the virus abates, and football no longer needs to wait. The same applies to Liverpool, Klopp feels like he’s back at school. Amongst the joy of football chatter, players remind us that black lives do matter. The Good, The Bad and The Ugly. Another week reviewed at the worlds favourite football club Liverpool F.C.

The Good

The long awaited return of the Premier League. After almost three months of lockdown, the beautiful game is set for a welcome comeback. No longer do we have to watch re-runs of the 1986 FA Cup final, or the treble-winning year in 2001. We can now actually watch a game. A real, live, proper game!

Granted, the games will be played “behind closed doors” due to the Corona virus outbreak, but games they will still be. I for one can’t wait. I can’t wait to hear the whistle blow and the sound of the boot connecting with the ball. I can’t wait to get caught up in the emotion of it all. I can’t wait to cheer, moan and kick every ball.

The return date has been confirmed as 17th June and Liverpool’s opponents will of course be the noisy neighbours from across Stanley Park. This game was of course due to be played on 16th March, but for the lockdown to grant the Bluenoses a reprieve.

The (Not) Bad

Along with the rest of us, it’s nice to see Jürgen Klopp expressing his enthusiasm upon his return to work. The irrepressible Reds boss compared coming back to Melwood after lockdown to his first day at school.

“I woke up even earlier than usual and then I realised it was my first day,”

Adhering to guideline’s from the so-called “Project Restart”, the players will be able to train in groups of no more than five, and in sessions lasting no longer than 75 minutes.

Much to the annoyance of some sections of the public, the players will be tested twice a week (yes, that’s twice a week!) in an effort to ensure Coronavirus is identified early and infected players quarantined.

I’m not sure if this also applies to other staff such as those in administration or food preparation, but I’d be somewhat annoyed if this isn’t the case.

So, Klopp is happy to have donned his uniform (which I’m not aware they have – or ever had in Germany) and return to the world’s best-paid playground kick-about. Hopefully his enthusiasm will be shared by the players who now only need two wins to secure the club’s first top-flight title since 1990.

The Ugly

With all the furore surrounding the return to footballing action, it was heartening to see the Liverpool players taking time to make a statement following the senseless killing of George Floyd in Minnesota in 25th May.

The team took to the Anfield pitch and knelt on one knee around the centre circle. A show of solidarity and support for this tragic, needless to say avoidable event.

The killing of Mr. Floyd has lead to global outrage as the world acknowledges the degree to which racial prejudice and hate still exists in the United States of America. More than 50 years after the assassination of Martin Luther King, the country still finds itself unable to achieve an acceptable level of racial tolerance and unity.

I don’t often express my personal views on matters other than football here but I have to express my own anger, dismay and disappointment that such an act is able to happen in 2020.

Sporting personalities from all forms have voiced their anger at this situation. I’m glad that the Bundesliga will take no action against Jadon Sancho, Marcus Thuram and Achraf Hakimi after the trio protested during their league games at the weekend.

This incident is the latest in a number of murders against black people in the US. Frankly this situation needs to stop and it is up to all of us to denounce not only this act, but also the country for many, many years of injustice which has become synonymous with their land.

It is nothing short of a national disgrace and will only continue until they themselves are subject to sanctions for the inhumane treatment of their own people in the same way that other countries have. This should be a standard response to these acts in any country, against any race.

Stay safe and keep the respect. Peace to ALL.

Remember The Good, The Bad and The Ugly 2018/19 season summary is available now on Amazon. Click here for your store.

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Ben Green

Avid LFC supporter for 50 of his 53 years. Seen it all, ups and the downs. Now praying for a return to winning ways. Whichever way it comes!

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