From Doubters To High Achievers
My story of fourteen years supporting a football club and why I should not give up on life.
June 1st, 2019. It was 02.00 AM in the western part of Indonesia. Bunch of lads and lasses in red gathered in a pool stadium somewhere in the capital city of Jakarta, cheering loudly as the whistle blown to mark the start of the most prestigious match in European football.
In possession, Liverpool take the ball to Tottenham Hotspurs’ final third in a swift fashion. 23 seconds gone, and the referee awarded them a penalty kick after Moussa Sissoko awkwardly blocked Sadio Mane’s cross with his right hand.
Mohamed Salah steps up, and calmly converted the chance into a goal by shooting it to the center of the goal. On that moment, I cannot hide my excitement as I scream so loud that probably it was the loudest that ever came out of my mouth.
Even though the match was considerably drab after that goal, the last fifteen minutes was intense as Spurs had some chances but fortunately Liverpool can fend that off with amazing defense. And finally, Divock Origi’s second goal in the 87th minute sealed the game and for the next few minutes was full of cheering and dancing in jubilation as we sang the chants of our club.
Last night was tiring but could probably be the best night I will ever had in 2019.
My story of supporting Liverpool Football Club will be one that I will cherish in life. Started in 2005, after the miraculous night in Istanbul I went on to become one of the loudest fan in my school. It’s because I believe my club can achieve anything after that kind of performance. But little do I know it will turn out differently.
Since 2005, Liverpool only won two titles which are the FA Cup in 2007 and Carling Cup (now known as Carabao Cup) in 2012. Both were domestic titles, so it’s not that much compared to winning the domestic league (Premier League) and the UEFA Champions League. In all those years I could not defend my club by not mentioning the 2005 miracle since that is all I can be proud of. The moment Liverpool came close of winning the Premier League was in 2013/2014 season when Daniel Sturridge and Luis Suarez formed one of the most formidable and lethal scoring duo the Premier League has ever witnessed but then… My Captain Fantastic slipped and gave the ball to Demba Ba.
In 2015, Liverpool signed former Borussia Dortmund and Mainz manager Jürgen Norbert Klopp. Known for his intense pressing and attacking approach, Klopp also brought experience from Germany as he won two league titles with Dortmund in 2011 and 2012. On his first interview as the club manager, he said something meaningful that lifts up my spirit:
“We have to change from doubters to believers.”
Klopp’s interview convinced me that this time it’s going to be different. I know we are in the process of rebuilding with Steven Gerrard is retired and some of the players do not fits Klopp’s scheme. It will be a long process but I believe this time we are on the right track. The mood, the ambition, the passion, it’s all in there.
Liverpool finally established their own style of play under Klopp. The so-called Heavy Metal Football, pressing the opposition with high intensity and urgency to win the ball back and score goals from the counter. His vision of what Liverpool should become was crystal clear, as he signed the right players and bring out current players to their full potential.
Started with signing Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah, now Liverpool have the most dynamic scoring trio in Europe combined with Roberto Firmino. The departure of Philippe Coutinho did not hinder the spirit of rebuilding as Klopp signed the right pieces in Xherdan Shaqiri, Fabinho, and Naby Keita to complete the midfield. And the most impressive part of Klopp’s rebuild is on how he revamp Liverpool’s back four and goalkeeping as he signed Virgil van Dijk, Andrew Robertson, and Alisson Becker. As per last season, Liverpool conceded the least goals and have the most clean sheets in the Premier League thanks to this.
Among many, my favorite example of player transformation under Klopp is Roberto Firmino. Was a winger with capability to play in both sides of the field, he become one of the most formidable and unique number 9 in Klopp’s scheme. Unlike other center forwards, Firmino actively spearheading the pressing line and often drops deeper to give space for Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane to exploit. His main role is not to score goals, but to create scoring opportunities for his teammates and eventually, himself.
And finally, after four years of waiting and several runner-up titles, Jürgen Klopp has brought Liverpool their first major trophy since Istanbul.
What I learned from this journey of supporting Liverpool Football Club is that you should never, ever give up on what you believe in. You should have a clear goal on what you want to achieve and work your way to reach it. It took Jürgen Klopp four years to finally won a trophy and made a lot of adjustment along the way.
Make the right plan, adjust accordingly, and work hard to make it come true. Never doubt on yourself and what you have. Give all of your heart and passion in every work you done.
And eventually, your blood, sweat, and tears from hard work will come to fruition. Including the patience to stay loyal supporting a club that was once, considered to be a mediocre.
