If there's one thing that's guaranteed at Liverpool FC it's this: if Steven Gerrard makes a prediction about the club, invariably, the opposite will end up happening. After a long history of getting it wrong, I was praying that Gerrard had finally given up making ludicrous predictions about the club's future. Alas, with less than a month until the new Premier League season begins, the captain has cursed the club once again. We almost made it!
In an interview yesterday, Gerrard condemned Liverpool to another season of mediocrity when he made the following bold assertion:
"I do think we will get in the top four. I think we will get it. I am confident we will get it".
In the words of Private Hudson: "It's game over, man. Game over!".
You may think I'm exaggerating here, but just look at some of Gerrard's past predictions:
Aug 2006: "We ended last season with 11 wins on the trot, eight in the league and that is title-winning form. I must admit I'm excited about what next season could bring for us because I know we have a team of very good players here who can challenge for the Premiership".
What actually happened? LFC finished 3rd, 21 points behind Man United
August 2007: "I honestly believe in my heart of hearts that this team will win the Premier League. I believe we're too good not to win it"
What actually happened? Another five years of Premier League failure.
May 2009: "This time I’m going to use the experience to drive me on and try to win the title over the next few years. We certainly have the ability".
What actually happened? Three years of abject performance in the league.
June 2009: "I think next year could be our year. I’m really confident about that"
What actually happened? Liverpool finished 7th, 23 points behind Man United.
August 2009: "You have to go into every new season prepared to do all you can to make it happen and I genuinely believe we can do it"
What actually happened? Horrific league season for LFC that culminated in Rafa Benitez getting sacked.
Aug 2010: "We must forget about the horror of what happened last season and get this club back to where it belongs, which is the Champions League"
What actually happened? Liverpool finished 6th, 22 points behind man United.
Aug 2010: "[Lionel] Messi can do some amazing things, but anything he can do Joe can do as well, if not better. He used to shock us in training by doing footy tricks with a golf ball that most players can't even do with a football".
What actually happened? Cole's alleged Messi-like ability was conspicuously absent on the field.
Aug 2010: "I really fancy Joe for the [player of the year] award this season".
What actually happened? Cole completely flopped and was sent out on loan.
Jan 2012: "We’re six points off fourth and there are 16 games left. You’re not telling me that this team and the players we’ve got here are not capable of making that up?"
What actually happened? Liverpool finished 8th, 17 points off 4th place (!).
May 2012: "For me, the favourites for Euro 2012 will be France, who beat us recently"
What actually happened? France flopped and went out early.
Please, make it stop! Gerrard is a superb footballer but he needs to stop making predictions about the club. Rafa Benitez, Roy Hodgson and Kenny Dalglish were all defeated by the Gerard Kiss of Death - Let's hope that Brendan Rodgers doesn't become the Skipper's latest victim.
;-) <--- Signifies that this post is supposed to be lighthearted.
Jaimie Kanwar
In an interview yesterday, Gerrard condemned Liverpool to another season of mediocrity when he made the following bold assertion:
"I do think we will get in the top four. I think we will get it. I am confident we will get it".
In the words of Private Hudson: "It's game over, man. Game over!".
You may think I'm exaggerating here, but just look at some of Gerrard's past predictions:
Aug 2006: "We ended last season with 11 wins on the trot, eight in the league and that is title-winning form. I must admit I'm excited about what next season could bring for us because I know we have a team of very good players here who can challenge for the Premiership".
What actually happened? LFC finished 3rd, 21 points behind Man United
August 2007: "I honestly believe in my heart of hearts that this team will win the Premier League. I believe we're too good not to win it"
What actually happened? Another five years of Premier League failure.
May 2009: "This time I’m going to use the experience to drive me on and try to win the title over the next few years. We certainly have the ability".
What actually happened? Three years of abject performance in the league.
June 2009: "I think next year could be our year. I’m really confident about that"
What actually happened? Liverpool finished 7th, 23 points behind Man United.
August 2009: "You have to go into every new season prepared to do all you can to make it happen and I genuinely believe we can do it"
What actually happened? Horrific league season for LFC that culminated in Rafa Benitez getting sacked.
Aug 2010: "We must forget about the horror of what happened last season and get this club back to where it belongs, which is the Champions League"
What actually happened? Liverpool finished 6th, 22 points behind man United.
Aug 2010: "[Lionel] Messi can do some amazing things, but anything he can do Joe can do as well, if not better. He used to shock us in training by doing footy tricks with a golf ball that most players can't even do with a football".
What actually happened? Cole's alleged Messi-like ability was conspicuously absent on the field.
Aug 2010: "I really fancy Joe for the [player of the year] award this season".
What actually happened? Cole completely flopped and was sent out on loan.
Jan 2012: "We’re six points off fourth and there are 16 games left. You’re not telling me that this team and the players we’ve got here are not capable of making that up?"
What actually happened? Liverpool finished 8th, 17 points off 4th place (!).
May 2012: "For me, the favourites for Euro 2012 will be France, who beat us recently"
What actually happened? France flopped and went out early.
Please, make it stop! Gerrard is a superb footballer but he needs to stop making predictions about the club. Rafa Benitez, Roy Hodgson and Kenny Dalglish were all defeated by the Gerard Kiss of Death - Let's hope that Brendan Rodgers doesn't become the Skipper's latest victim.
;-) <--- Signifies that this post is supposed to be lighthearted.
Jaimie Kanwar
No top 4 nevermind. At least we must show we are better than last season.
ReplyDeleteAnother stupid article.
ReplyDeleteGame over man..Game over..!!
ReplyDeletelets not forget about this before the final group game of the champions league in 2004/2005
ReplyDeleteGerrard pulled no punches in his assessment of Liverpool's current quality. "The squad certainly needs strengthening," he declared. "Realistically we are not ready yet to mount a serious challenge for the Champions League but the main thing is that we continue to make progress under our new manager."
HAHAHA! Jamie this is hilarious, it actually made me laugh because it's true lol! When I read his interview I thought " Boy, here we go again"!
ReplyDeleteYou are now banned.
ReplyDeleteYet you comment -_-
ReplyDeletefrance didnt go out of the group stage
ReplyDeleteIt is hilarious if one has a sense of humor rated in the negatives.
ReplyDeletewhy cant gerrard say we cant win the league and then we can end up winning it
ReplyDeletejamie can you trace his comments on liverpool since 1990
Haha. Nice one.
ReplyDeletelol...so true... but i just think he is saying all of that as a fan
ReplyDeleteNOooo! Gerrard has the reversal curse! When he says something will happen it won't and when he say's something won't happen it will!!! ;0P
ReplyDeleteI would but I think it would be too depressing...
ReplyDeleteJest or not JK you are dead right in this article I dont think Gerrard could tip a spoon !!!! Seriously though it would be better all round if he said nothing. Once again Fans all over the world will have had there expectations raised by his comments
ReplyDeleteReversal curse.... An ancient cure put in place by the Pharaohs priest when.......AH WHO AM I KIDDIN..I JUST MADE THAT UP LOL!
ReplyDeleteancient curse* lol
ReplyDeleteFrance didn't go out in group stage?? Got knocked out by spain... An gerrard is right we smashed teams last year just couldn't put the ball away... Fulham,spurs,qpr(very sloppy) man utd,arsenal,villa, their loads if we put that away we wud or been in top 4.. Hopefully if we buy another striker...midfielder we will get in YNWA!!
ReplyDeletehaha he sounds like Delboy with his "this time next year" Seriously though i supose with being the Liverpool captain he has to be ambitious and dream a bit! ok Top 4 wont be easy maybe even very unlikely but id sooner hear our captain being positive than negative. I honestly dont think Liverpool are that far away from the top 4 target. time and time again they dominated games last season but lost. just need to start making the most of there chances and they will be back in the champions league where they belong. YNWA
ReplyDeleteSo you don't think we can finish top four then ? Win two or three games more at home than last season and we'd prob be fifth , so not such an outrageous comment , so really just another opportunity for you to have a pop at Steven Gerrard , did you say hello to him in a bar one time and he failed to acknowledge you or something ? By the way do you think he should be saying " think we should stay out of bottom three "
ReplyDeleteI'm waiting for the inevitable win against ManU then the overconfidence displayed by all the players, only to lose to Wigan in the next game.
ReplyDeleteYou seriously need to get a sense of humour. This is a lighthearted post, not an attack on Gerrard. I think that's clear. Also, as I've stated numerous times in various articles over the last two months, I believe LFC can make the top four.
ReplyDeleteAh yes, when it comes to overconfidence, Carra is the main culprit for that.
ReplyDeleteSG claims that the team have learnt 'error of their ways from their last campaign'. The league, I believe, is 38 games. If the team do not have the flexibility to change during a season then things don't look good. Hopefully, he will have the game intelligence to adapt during a game. We always were a better balanced team with Alonso with SG out injured.
ReplyDeleteIf anyone has a worse record for predictions around Liverpool, its Jamie K, so I am genuinely scared now.
ReplyDeleteI love Stevie G but he needs to be gagged before the start of every season. If he hasn't yet realised the error of his ways (should have by now as it's gone on for YEARS!!!) surely someone intelligent like Carra should have picked him up on it by now and ordered him to keep his gob shut and see what happens.....Stevie, stevie......
ReplyDeleteyes lets all criticise SG , lpools shining light and best player weve had in ages . lets take his loyalty he has shown us over the years and ram it down his throat with negativity ? why be critical when he is trying to be positive ? i dont undestand this at all . what do you expect him to say . pity a few more people dont have the can do attitude .
ReplyDeletetbf he has to talk up our chances, if the captain doesn't believe we cant make top 4. Why would any of our better players? Suarez, Reina, Agger, Skrtel etc. And if they dont think we can make CL football, its gonna be hard to keep them
ReplyDeleteyeah, but you'd still be amazed that he was in your boozer and be inching towards him to grab a pic with him - that'd be my fb profile pic!!
ReplyDeleteIn regards your post - I agree, I rolled my eyes as soon as i read that he said that. I had my customary groan and thought; here we go again!
nothing wrong with a bit of confidence though
I agree, footballers are always put on pedestals by the press and fans alike. Players are part of the team - the team we worship - not individuals earning 70K+ a week.
ReplyDeleteI think it was Klinsman while playing for spurs who drove around in a clapt out beetle. He didn't seem to find it necessary to flaunt his wealth.
i didnt find it light hearted, i found it negative
ReplyDeletehe the captain...sometimes he had to said those thing to lift morale of team...or for media show as well...either his will or been forced.....hahaha 1 LIKE for JK keep track what SG spoken....
ReplyDeleteWith Ramirez and Allen in the bag i think we can win the Prem if we get a flying start to the season... Remember we matched City and United head to head last season and Rodgers system will make anfield a fortress again.
ReplyDeleteThere far from in the bag unless you know something we don't.
ReplyDeleteAnd so you should be :-)
ReplyDeleteWhat bad you talking about? Tescos bag? ;0P
ReplyDeleteWorship ? Pedestals ? Don't get it . Hello
ReplyDeleteLol! This is a hilarious post JK. But maybe, just maybe, this will prove to be the exception to (based on your well researched quotes from seasons gone by) the rule. Fingers crossed...
ReplyDeleteI was hoping he had learned his lesson too. Unfortunately he was also singing Rogers praises in that interview too. No top 4 and Brendan to be sacked by xmas. :(
ReplyDeleteGive it a rest pal. Optimism is great. Blind lunacy isnt. We are further away from winning the league than we have ever been. Theres about 5 poss 6 teams in front of us more likely to win the league than us.
ReplyDeletehe is the captain he supposed to big up his team and install confidence imagine what you would all be saying if he said we wont win nothing and you all call yourself supporters slagging the players and manager get behind your team
ReplyDeleteRubbish. Gerrards goals and assists helped us to 2nd. We were a better team with both players in the 1st 11.
ReplyDeleteit frustrates the hell out of me too Jamie. Deadset, the team has alwayS been talk no action and it bloody frustrates me. Everytime you visit the official website, the usual headlines are as such, 'Downing- we will find consistency', 'Stevie G- Top 4 is a priority', 'Johnson- We can do it', 'Carragher- new era is exciting'. JUST SHUT THE F*** UP FOR ONCE!!! FOR THE LOVE OF GOD....
ReplyDeleteStevie and his pre-season 'roar'...haha
ReplyDeleteHe is like Pele and his jinxes.
i remember we beat utd 1nil,arsenal 4 nil under houllier and he came out with bollox talk about the title.what happened next? e lost 1nil to middlesboro!
ReplyDeleteWe have beating top teams for years and go on to......lose against the weaker teams. Nothing to get excited about a weak mentality like that. As for winning the league...haha
ReplyDeletethe joe cole comment never fails to put a smile on my face.
ReplyDeleteyou think lfc can win the title?
ReplyDeletei'd ove to share your optimism.
Its definitely game over, damn you Stevie... :)
ReplyDeleteOkay, but in fairness i do think he's waking up to this gift/curse.., in the Euro's he was asked by a journo after beating Sweden about how far England could go and he said....."We'll see..."
Lol, poor guy probably just wants to say, " well, i haven't got a fucking clue tbh..:)
neg ative article
ReplyDeleteAs much as this is a joke why the slight dig at rafa? "horrific season that culminated in rafa being sacked"???? really Jaimie, correct me if am wrong but as bad as that season was u cant compare it to Roy or kenny's season c'mon the last two seasons have been really horrific, rafa's last not great but it was better than both Roy and Kenny's combined. By now u may know am from the Pro-Benitez cult which u r the tormentor in chief, am very
ReplyDeleteskeptical bout Brendon rogers as was i with Roy and Kenny after he signed downing etc, but like always i will give a chance before i start voicing my
skepticism and am not stuck on bashing kenny or Roy either so let bygones be bygones rafa is gone and am sure much to ur delight John H never considered him for the role
It was a horrific season though, Liverpool went from finishing second and having the best challenge for the title since the Premier League was established, to finishing 7th, how is that not a horrific season after finishing top 4 consistently for several seasons before that?
ReplyDeletei dont disgree that the season was poor, but how many points did we finish off 4th opposed to last season, it was bad season compared to rafa last ones but my concern is why is that u have used rafa name but left out kenny and roy when their seasons were worse, isn't it time we moved on
ReplyDelete