Liverpool vs Manchester City
What would Brendan Rodgers’ team talk be like for this weekend’s clash?
This weekend, Liverpool plays arguably their most important match over the last 24 years. It could be said that the Champions League Final appearances of 2005 and 2007 were more important because they were within a continental competition, but that will dissolve into an irrelevant side note come Sunday afternoon when the crowd begins to build at Anfield.
I have only been to Anfield once, in 2012 when King Kenny Dalglish was in the final throes as manager for the second time. I had made the trek from Melbourne, Australia for a once in a lifetime experience, an essential pilgrimage for all Liverpool fans as they say. It was a dark, gloomy and cold evening and on that night Fulham were the visitors to Anfield for a midweek fixture that served only as an annoyance to the looming FA Cup Final against Chelsea on the Saturday. Tellingly, Liverpool lost 0-1 due to a Martin Skrtel own goal in a game where we failed to get out of first gear.
What struck me about the game however, and I was well aware of this prior to my visit, was the tenacity and energy that came from the stands as generated by the fans. Despite the game being nothing more than a warm up to the FA Cup Final with numerous first team players being rested including one Steven Gerrard, due to the support it genuinely felt as if the team were playing to get into the Champions League. Every time the ball went near the Liverpool end, fans would stand in unison and try to will the ball into the back of the net with nothing but their breath and some violent involuntary gestures with their bodies. I was sat just behind the goal at the Anfield Road end and to say it was pulsating is an understatement.
Which leads me to my main point. Now that we genuinely have the title to play for, I know that Anfield is going to be a cauldron of pandemonium when Manchester City come to town, and this will be before a ball has even been kicked. Heaven forbid Liverpool scores a goal then we will no doubt see and hear something extra special.
So I had a thought, with all that support from the stands, with all that emotion and all the incentives in the world to play for — what would it be like to be Brendan Rodgers in the change rooms prior to the game? What would he say to his chargers moments before they were to walk out onto the field of play? What would it be like for the players? I humbly present to you my take on his upcoming speech:
“Lads, gather round. Today I’m going to keep it short but nonetheless important”. The players stiffly shuffle into a makeshift circle in the middle of the room, hands and arms hoist themselves on top of the shoulders of the nearest teammate as a nervous hush descends upon the group.
“Now listen, you’ve trained well this week, for me that’s very pleasing. Some of you have pushed through some significant pain to get yourself ready for today’s test, so well done, but the commendations end there”. Rodgers sneaks a glance at Daniel Agger and continues.
“I’m here to tell you that today you are provided with a new test. One that will require the greatest combination of your skill, your fitness and your concentration. City are a smart team. They will want to hassle you, impair you and destroy you if they get the chance. Don’t give them that chance”, Brendan says as he waves his index finger with purpose.
“Now aside from your absolute best, what I want from you today is to use a very important part of your human makeup, and that is your memory. Remember Tottenham away, Arsenal at home, and Manchester United away. Galvanise all that desire and intent you showed the supporters in these games. If nothing else, I demand you show that desire today for 90 minutes and I assure you we will walk into these change rooms as changed men!”
Taking a breath and gathering himself, Rodgers continues. “Now we all know that we, as a team, and as a club, have had to fight and work continuously, RELENTLESSLY even, just to give ourselves this small chance, this window of opportunity. This lads, you’ve earned for yourselves”.
It was at that moment that Stevie began to reflect. How much had he given to this club? Years of training, untold sacrifices and sliding around in mud making lung busting tackles on the training track when everyone else was inside seeking protection from the dogged rain. He knew his time for hard work was nearly done, for at 33, his legs were on the wane, and the world knew it too. For a fleeting moment he closed his eyes in an effort to focus, then it came. A feeling from deep within his soul, beginning as a small burst of adrenalin and progressing until it filled his chest. It felt amazing, a feeling of impulsion and he sensed he had a huge performance in him today. He opened his eyes and to his surprise, many of the squad were watching him.
Brendan continued, “So let me tell you about today. On this day, it’s the loyal fans and the supporters in the stadium who are going to give you something, a gift, let’s say. By getting behind you at every challenge and every contest, they are going to make your dream a possibility, nothing more — nothing less. Understand this: Everyone here at Anfield today wants you to walk away with the three points. The fans will put the three points on the table, so what I ask of you is to reach out and pick them up. It is up to you and only you, to make that possibility, a reality”.
“COME on LADS”! A howling cry was heard from one uneven corner of the circle. It was Jon Flanagan, of all people. A man who just eight months ago was still considered by most as just a boy. The look on his face was something else, mouth bulging and eyes with searing pupils. He resembled a crazed greyhound before a race, hell, even saliva burst from his jaw with real fervour. This seemed to lift everyone, and the mood raised as players began to filter their adrenalin through their legs by bouncing up and down on the spot.
“Let me leave you with this” Rodgers continued as he clenched his fist.
“When we began our preseason, hands up how many of you thought we could qualify for the Champions League?”, extending his index finger again and slowly motioning it around the circle. With minimal hesitation, the entire squad each raised a hand.
“…..And tell me, at the start of the season which of you believed that we could win the league this year?”. Again all hands went up into the air. This time he noticed many of the players had another level of determination in their eyes, especially the experienced ones, Johnson and Suarez among others.
“So answer me this one final question, WHO HERE THINKS WE CAN TOPPLE CITY TODAY AND TAKE A GIANT STEP TOWARDS THE TITLE?!”
Uproar engulfed the entire change room as players responded with shouts of “Come on!” and “Today lads, today!”. Even the team Doctor Zaf Iqbal was infected with the same enthusiasm and tossed his briefcase like medikit high into the air, forcing him to readjust his glasses in the process.
The team circle broke and players energetically embraced and pumped each other up with high fives and pats on the back. Brendan looked around the room as a loud knock was heard at the door, it was referee Mark Clattenburg.
“30 seconds lads I want you in the tunnel!”, his head poked out just enough so it could be seen by the squad around the door.
“No problem Mark”, Rodgers responded, as the door automatically closed behind him.
With Gerrard leading the way, most of the contingent began to move towards the exit. Just as he was considering motioning his hand down to turn the handle, he stole a glance back at his fellow professionals who by now were right behind him. It was then that the players knew that everything was going to be okay. Despite the adrenalin within the squad now at fever pitch, Steven had a calmness upon his face that instantly transferred to the rest of the playing group. They looked at him, anticipating something coming out of his mouth.
“Let’s make the city proud today lads”, he said softly with a cheeky grin. The others smiled, tucked in their shirts and filtered into the tunnel where the ‘THIS IS ANFIELD’ sign, 45000 mad scousers and destiny itself, awaited them.
Author’s note: This is my hypothetical Brendan Rodgers speech. It does not represent any real quotes taken from any of the players or staff mentioned.
