Imagine it if you will. You're a supporter of a club who have a history of success, you have a captain who is considered one of the best midfielders in the world and your team is finally showing signs of a credible title challenge after 19 years of being in the shadows of, among others, Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea.
If this sounds familiar then it's more than likely you're a supporter of Liverpool FC, unless there is another side out there on a parallel universe who have experienced the same peaks and troughs as one of the most successful clubs in Europe.
But it appears that being top of the league in December isn't good enough for Liverpool's fans after a chorus of boos proceeded the final whistle following a frustrating 0-0 draw at home to West Ham United this evening. Perhaps it is because, since the turn of the 90's, Liverpool haven't had a look in as far as domestic success goes and there is an eagerness to kick on. And yes, if they are to make a serious title challenge, they should be beating the likes of West Ham at Anfield having already shown the quality that saw them beat both Manchester United and Chelsea. But the Premiership isn't won in December, as Sir Alex Ferguson will tell you - and he should know.
It is a trait that Rafa Benitez, the Liverpool manager, will no doubt be keen to see the back of as so often in past seasons Liverpool have let themselves down against lesser opposition. Having already drawn at home to Premier League new-boys Stoke City, also at Anfield, in what was another frustrating goal-less draw the Liverpool fans should be channeling their passion in a more positive way by making Anfield a fortress rather than the temple of tension it becomes when the Kop sense a frustrating afternoon or evening. Often the crowd can influence a game and by giving off this negativity in groaning and jeering a mis-placed pass or a wayward shot it can start to rub off on the players who then become frustrated themselves, and it certainly showed in the game this evening, especially in the last 20 minutes where Liverpool completely dominated.
It's understandable that fans want value for money especially at a time when the country is experiencing a downturn in the financial market and football isn't immune from this. But surely this is, for Liverpool fans, a cause for celebration given that they have what appears to be, at this present time, a squad that has the potential to be in contention for the league title come May.
If this sounds familiar then it's more than likely you're a supporter of Liverpool FC, unless there is another side out there on a parallel universe who have experienced the same peaks and troughs as one of the most successful clubs in Europe.
But it appears that being top of the league in December isn't good enough for Liverpool's fans after a chorus of boos proceeded the final whistle following a frustrating 0-0 draw at home to West Ham United this evening. Perhaps it is because, since the turn of the 90's, Liverpool haven't had a look in as far as domestic success goes and there is an eagerness to kick on. And yes, if they are to make a serious title challenge, they should be beating the likes of West Ham at Anfield having already shown the quality that saw them beat both Manchester United and Chelsea. But the Premiership isn't won in December, as Sir Alex Ferguson will tell you - and he should know.
It is a trait that Rafa Benitez, the Liverpool manager, will no doubt be keen to see the back of as so often in past seasons Liverpool have let themselves down against lesser opposition. Having already drawn at home to Premier League new-boys Stoke City, also at Anfield, in what was another frustrating goal-less draw the Liverpool fans should be channeling their passion in a more positive way by making Anfield a fortress rather than the temple of tension it becomes when the Kop sense a frustrating afternoon or evening. Often the crowd can influence a game and by giving off this negativity in groaning and jeering a mis-placed pass or a wayward shot it can start to rub off on the players who then become frustrated themselves, and it certainly showed in the game this evening, especially in the last 20 minutes where Liverpool completely dominated.
It's understandable that fans want value for money especially at a time when the country is experiencing a downturn in the financial market and football isn't immune from this. But surely this is, for Liverpool fans, a cause for celebration given that they have what appears to be, at this present time, a squad that has the potential to be in contention for the league title come May.
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