Even Wayde saw Reds send out warning
NOW that’s a memorable start to a football season. The English Premiership lived up to expectation at the weekend, with Liverpool and Arsenal producing a seven-goal thriller and delivering some spectacular goals too. The new PSL season is exactly a week away… Dare we dream of a similar start?
In fact, Liverpool’s sensational 4-3 victory even provided the perfect inspiration for new 400m world record-holder Wayde van Niekerk (like me, he’s a Liverpool nut). The lad from Kraaifontein admitted that he had warmed up for his Olympics event by watching the tense, enthralling fixture in which the Reds gave notice that this could just be the season. It’s no surprise, therefore, that, in the city of Liverpool itself, Van Niekerk has been dubbed “Liverpool’s fastest fan!”
Ok, Ok, I know – it’s early days. Liverpool followers are notorious for jumping the gun and then having to deal with deep disappointment at the end of the campaign. But there was certainly a lot to like about the manner in which Jurgen Klopp’s side went about their business on Sunday. After a bedding-in period, it appears that the German’s philosophy is finally starting to take root. And nowhere was it more visible than in the performances of new signings Georginio Wijnaldum and Sadio Mane. While the individual magic of Phillipe Coutinho remains the catalyst, it was the unobtrusive yet influential midfield industry of Wijnaldum and the pace and energy of Mane that epitomised Klopp’s approach to the sport.
There wasn’t just Liverpool on show, though. There are quite a few other talking points from the opening weekend. At Arsenal, it’s same old, same old: The inactivity in the transfer market, the lack of leadership and, of course, the ubiquitous defensive frailties. Fortunately, for the Gunners, the defeat is a wake-up call and, with the transfer window still open, Arsene Wenger is likely to be forced to beef up his defence.
The next paragraph is written with a heavy heart, indeed. Manchester United look like a team to watch this season. Like the great Peter Schmeichel said, United have, over the last few seasons, missed a charismatic personality in the dressing-room.
The former United goalkeeper spoke of the time Eric Cantona joined the Manchester club – and how the Frenchman’s professionalism, attitude and class rubbed off on the youngsters in the squad. Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic can do the very same for United… New central defender Eric Bailly is definitely world class and we are still to see how the contribution of Paul Pogba and Henrikh Mkhitaryan unfolds. (I’m so green with envy…).
And, then, to crown it all, football in England continued to live up to its reputation as an utterly unpredictable canvass. Leicester City were the toast of the globe last season when, against all odds, they won the league title. But that was quickly placed in perspective on Saturday – after all, you’re only as good as your last game – when they came unstuck against promoted Hull City. It’s certainly early days – but, if that’s a taste of what to expect, bring it on…