Bore draw sums up English footy
It was a game which was billed as Red Monday but it turned out to be Dead Monday.
Liverpool v Manchester United on Monday evening had the customary big build-up for Sky Sports and was given the classic‘game of the century’treatment.
There were so many storylines in the build-up which gave this game the chance to succeed.
Klopp v Mourinho was the key battle but this was not a war, it was a whimper.
It was one of the most turgid 90 minutes I have had the displeasure of watching since your correspondent was sent to cover a Challenge Cup clash between Livingston and Queen of the South back in 2014.
But at least that game had a goal.
The fact is when it comes to the‘privilege’of watching English Premier League games you have to remember the Sky subscriptions we all pay or the ludicrous ticket prices asked for.
It starts to make you wonder why these games that were once heralded as the centre piece of English football have often became drab and disappointing fixtures.
The cash injection by TV broadcasters has attracted a greater audience and a far superior quality of player.
Yet the product on my television on Monday night – and for the majority of the Premier League season in all honesty – was completely underwhelming.
The rivalries such as Liverpool and Manchester United were entertaining because not only did you get to watch good football, you had the added spice of personal battles.
Local boys who would love nothing better than to help their side get a win over their rivals.
On nights like Monday, I had to question if Paul Pogba really cared about beating Liverpool any more or less than he would if United beat Bournemouth.
Do Pogba, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Eric Bailly all understand what it truly means to beat Liverpool?
Or is it just another fixture for them?
As the more money enters our game, the amount of passion seems to dwindle.
Five short months ago we were witnessing a passionate Leicester side march towards the league title and now they are targeting Champions League glory.
Monday was not a