The madness threatening to unsettle Liverpool FC
Posted by Akzoony in Liverpool, Stephen Gerard | 22 September 2006
Liverpool FC: Media reports driving you up the wall?
Its been a little while since I last wrote here, and I have to say a lot has happened in that time. Heart breaks at Everton and Chelsea, a sterling performance at PSV and a wonder strike at Newcastle seem to show that we are following the sort of start to the season that many of us expected; even if we may have hoped for a point or two more than we have managed to collect.
I will post a little more about these another time however I wanted to write about a few issues that are really bothering me at the moment, not with the club itself but with everything that seems to be going on around Liverpool FC - and I’m sure at other clubs across the country.
I don’t know if as I get older I pay more attention to the media, or (heaven forbid at 24) I’m become a grumpy old man prematurely, but this year reports from both on and off the pitch have been driving me up the wall. The pundits on ITV and Sky are no better and they all just seem to egg each other on into a furore from which comes story after story that sound as though it has a hint of credibility, but actually has no basis in fact.
It seems to me that more than ever before I am finding myself watching elaborate works of fiction grow day by day. Each journalist latches onto some small story and expands upon it until you are left with some gut wrenching exclusive that’s only purpose is to excite everyone with no consideration of the truth.
A great example that recently unfurled before my eyes is the issue of where to play Steven Gerrard. Should he play Centre Midfield? Second striker or out wide. I’ve spent many a happy hour discussing this in pubs with friends as I’m sure have many other Fans, Liverpool and otherwise, and it is a very interesting tactical issue.
Various minor comments started to appear in various papers after Gerrards Autobiography was released, quoting segments out of context along the lines of how much he hates being forced to play out of his favourite position, but these were quite ignorable and were obviously just being used to fill a few inches of space.
Then in an interview before the Chelsea game last week Steven mentioned once more that he preferred to play centre mid, however he happy playing anywhere as long as Liverpool are winning.
Now again I’m sure that this doesn’t come as any surprise to anyone out there, but all of a sudden a certain Sky Sports Pundit jumped on this with glee announcing how it clearly meant that Gerrard was unhappy, would only put up with this sort of treatment as long as the results were going the right way, and that he should start telling Rafa that he would only play in his favourite position or not at all.
This was again something that annoyed but could be ignored (especially considering the pundit in question) if things had stopped there but they didn’t. This fantastic bit of fabrication then sparked all sorts of stories throughout the media and all over the internet ranging from training ground bust ups, arguments and I even read one story that stated that Gerrard or Benitez could be out by Christmas.
This may have been tongue in cheek (I hope) but still it shows clearly the direction that things were going in.
It was quite clearly getting out of hand and it needed synchronised interviews from Gerrard stating he couldn’t believe what was being said, and from Rafa citing Steven along with some of the biggest names in football as examples of other consummate professionals who played out of position to put the issue to bed. Even then it matter doesn’t seem to have totally died away.
In recent weeks we have seen this happen again and again, with stories about our new Stadium, Bungs and Squad rotation all having an interesting story written about them, that suddenly grew into huge issues when it is clear that there have not been any more facts provided about these topics.
The English Press are known for this sort of behaviour, however this year the lazy journalism seems to be worse than ever before. The last thing we want is anything to disrupt this; our most promising season for over a decade, and if the players and the manager are required to keep coming out to calm these ridiculous stories then it clearly could.
YNWA
Comments
Remarkable.
What with the incredible spite that's grown up around the Chelsea - Liverpool fixtures in the last year or two, I find it very surprising indeed that you haven't picked up on this before.
Both Mourinho's and BEnitez' words have regularly been taken out of context or blatantly misquoted. Mourinho's remarks after the semifinal at Old Trafford last year were a case in point. I was there, heard exactly the words he used, then read the newspapers the following day with an ever-growing sense of amazement at the lengths these hacks are willing to go to to serve their agenda.
No offence, but wake up. THe supposed Chelsea - Liverpool "rivalry" is largely of the media's making. It's sad that so many fans - on both sides - have fallen for it.
I know what you're saying; the media hype between big teams has -as you say- always been there, however only now and again.
What has annoyed me so much this year is the fact that it now seems to be happening with every small story that the press can get its hands on. The big one this week seems to be Rafa's tinkering. Stories are appearing all over the place about how this will never work solely because the BBC mentioned it during the PSV match.
As we all know it is something that Rafa has been doing very successfully for many years, and it is a small item for discussion yet it is being turned into a very large derisory story. That is what seems to be the difference.
Its not alone, as i have mentioned sensational stories about club takeovers, ground sharing and Craig Bellamys temperament (ok bad example) are all starting up at the moment and -if they follow the current trend- are going to keep growing, provoking the need for more denials and interfering with players concentration.
Sensationalist stories around big games I can take as they are almost amusing in their absurdity and can almost be considered a mark of respect.
Dont get me wrong, this isn't a rant about poor Liverpool -we are at the start of one of our most successful spells for years and i am enjoying every minute of it- however they are my team and i can see what is happening to them. I am sure this is happening throughout the Premiership and it can only be detremental to our League.
This negative press over every small non-issue is what has been annoying me recently, and what has got to stop.