The Art Coming Back - A Liverpool Story

Long before miracles were completed in Istanbul Liverpool Football Club had not merely a tradition but an expectation that no game was ever lost and no result ever certain until the referee blew his whistle. No prize ever out of reach until mathematically certain.

Often clubs either playing host to The Reds or visiting Anfield would hold out for 80 minutes but fall just short by switching off as the line approached assuming the job was all but done while Liverpool plugged away. More often than not finding a route through as a direct result of the opposition already having an eye on the sanctity of their changing room - even the next and often more winnable game than an encounter with The Reds.

Late goals which won games or at the very least earned a point were not matters of legend or exaggerated tales. It all happened as did some superb returns from the brink of humiliation let alone defeat. One of the earliest cases came at Anfield in December 1909 when Newcastle United established a 5-2 lead at the break. Jimmy Howie headed pat Sam Hardy in the first minute and though James Stewart managed a quick equaliser Bert Shepherd notched four times. Liverpool were far from outclassed but enjoyed less luck going forward until the resumption. Jack Parkinson who scored the second pulled another back before former Magpie Ronald Orr managed a brace and drew the scores level at 5-5. Arthur Goddard hit the winner and set the seal on a remarkable game.

Liverpool had won a few league titles by that stage in their history but were not a force in the game when compared to others at the time. They may not have been able to hint just what the club may become in the future but such a turnaround scared other clubs and it was not isolated.

Quickly turning the clock forward to the first leg of the 1976 UEFA Cup final played at Anfield Liverpool were two down to FC Bruges within a dozen minutes and in truth didn‘t look like they could pull so much as a goal back until the third quarter of the game. Backed by a roaring Kop who proved Bill Shankly’s adage that they could suck a ball in Ray Kennedy and Jimmy Case who came on for John Toshack netted to level before Kevin Keegan completed an unlikely looking victory with a penalty. All three goals were scored in a five minute spell.

Over in Belgium for the second leg Bruges pulled the aggregate scores level with another early strike soon after and played out more than an hour without further scares to win the trophy for the second time in four seasons.

May 1985 and though Everton had secured the league title and The Reds were keen to complete the league programme and therefore focus on the upcoming European Cup final giving Watford a 2-0 start at home wasn’t in the script. Just 24 hours before an FA Cup final which could see Everton create history and become the first club to win the double as well as a European trophy it was a bitter pill for most in the crowd to swallow. Juventus manager Giovanni Trapatonni was at Anfield casting an eye over the opposition in preparation for the game in Brussels. He witnessed not only a remarkable but high scoring game and will have been impressed by Ian Rush and for the visitors John Barnes. It was rumoured that a number of Italian clubs had run the rule over the Watford winger while Rush was said to be a direct target for the side known as the Old Lady of Turin who were prepared to offer up to £4 million.

Watford took a deserved lead but it was gifted by Jim Beglin putting through his own net after John Barnes had him turned in knots. Colin West headed the second for the visitors after a cross from Barnes. That advantage was held until half-time. Rush and Kenny Dalglish were instrumental in a thrilling comeback. Rush pulled one back shortly after the resumption then his partner equalised five minutes later. In the next attack Wilf Rostron brought Steve Nicol down. John Wark slotted the penalty home to put The Reds ahead for the first time but John Barnes levelled with a sublime free-kick. It seemed a share of the points was in the cards but Rush struck again when the ball next went into The Hornet’s half pouncing on a blocked shot from Dalglish nine minutes from time.

The list is far from exhaustive though there was of course that most eye-catching of returns from the brink in that 2005 Champions league final. Even when down to a team on fire the towel was never thrown in and the fans believed a comeback was at least a possibility. To a lesser extent the big occasion brought out the same instinct the following season in the FA Cup final.

Regardless of the odds Liverpool fans still believe and still harbour that faith that their team can dig itself out and emerge triumphant. It was no different against Reading at the weekend when the score hit 3-1 nor on the evening of 24 October 2007 after defeat at the home of Besiktas’ Inonu Stadium which had witnessed a first ever win over an English club.

There was to be no resurgence at the Madejski and with just one point from the opening three games Rafa Benitez’s men were staring at the very real prospect of exiting the Champions League at the group phase. There was no margin for error the games which remained all had to be won and maximum points were taken with 16 goals scored in the process.

Unlike that situation two years ago Liverpool are relying heavily on others but there could be one special night at Anfield in a fortnight’s time.

A midfield maestro whose passes are so delightful

Footballers are often tagged as world class talents and with varying degrees of merit. However, if there is one sporting arena where that level talent is not only judged by the highest of standards but recognised and valued highly when found its Anfield.

Few would argue Xabi Alonso fitted into the category so when the faithful regather on Saturday for the sole remaining friendly before the new season kicks off it will be with a heavy heart now the Spaniard’s transfer to Real Madrid has been confirmed.

At the time of his arrival almost five years ago Liverpool lacked that creative spark which had hallmarked some of the great sides of recent decades. There had been flashes of creativity during the reign of Gerard Houllier but towards the fag end of his spell at the helm - a very demoralising period for Reds - that spark was not even flickering. It was totally absent.

The capture of the then little heralded 22 year old Basque was, despite a reputation for being a formulaic and cautious manager, a statement of intent by Rafael Benitez who knew the Spanish market better than any other and recognised one of its rising stars had the temperament plus ability to fulfil a playmaker role at any grade. Indeed in any country.

A midfielder with vision and a huge passing range was by any reckoning a breath of fresh air but Alonso offered so much more.

Though it was still available in European football time on the ball had become something of a rarity in the domestic product and in these febrile atmospheres Xabi appeared to have those few crucial seconds - somehow conjuring them up when no one else could.

The Steven Gerrard/Fernando Torres axis in attack has performed so well partly because of the role Alonso assumed.

Many including those who should know better labelled him a holding or defensive midfielder but Xabi made it possible for the captain to push forward and creative the devastating pairing.

Despite his cultured nature Alonso got through his share of the hard yards and no small measure of the 'nuts and bolts' midfield toil. He was keen to chuck himself in where the boots were flying or a melee developed to stamp not just his but Liverpool’s authority on the engine room.

In truth he had a deep lying role and position from which he could direct patterns of play plus the tempo. It allowed Gerrard the freedom to maraud rather than be tempted to put out fires in other areas of the field.

Alonso was a key component in a spine it had taken the Anfield boss five years to assemble and which came closer to claiming the title than any other Liverpool side had in many seasons.

His linking play be it through a six yard short ball or a sweeping 60 yard pass which softly caressed the grass as it bounced and fell inch perfect for the intended recipient. Just as vital as the ability to spray balls to all corners of the pitch with unerring accuracy was that whatever pass he made the right one was almost always selected.

When his other attributes were added Benitez had a potent weapon in his hands but all good things must come to an end. In football that is inevitable and includes Xabi Alonso’s tenure in a red shirt.

Though his departure is far from a welcome one it does at least draw a line under a summer long saga allowing everyone to move on.

The funds received have already been earmarked for reinvestment in a similar type of player and there has at least been adequate notice for alternatives to not just be explored but assessed and lined up within 24 hours of the agreement being announced.

Alberto Aquilani is not a like for like replacement though is stylish, fast across the ground and industrious. The move go through if his fitness can be proved. There are other options already at the club too.

As he is not a regular name on the score sheet it possibly suggests there may be additions perhaps one arrival to supplement the forward line and allow variations of play within the 4-2-3-1 system which proved so effective last term.

Statistics never tell the whole truth about a player’s contribution even if they suggest Liverpool averaged more points per game and had a better win ratio with the Basque in the ranks.
Xabi Alonso’s presence would have undoubtedly aided the quest for number 19 though his absence will not exactly hinder any surge in that direction. The Reds pulled off some notable wins in his absence.

Real Madrid’s need for the player is actually far more acute than Liverpool’s and that slice of the £200 million spending spree which brought Alonso to the Bernabeu is the most vital investment Florentino Perez has made.

Many of those highly priced Galaticos will find themselves unable to play how they did in their former leagues be that in England, Italy or France and will encounter a very different highly technical game were movement can be staccato rather than flowing.

He will take up his new challenge with gratitude for his contribution to the club and best wishes for the future.

Leaving Anfield a better player than he was on arrival.