Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez, Diogo Jota, Thiago, Alisson, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Joel Matip. Those are just a shortened list of names that Liverpool have been without at various points this season, but, none of those men have been the Reds’ biggest miss. Instead, the famous 12th man of Anfield has been the biggest miss for Liverpool.
With a packed Anfield, Liverpool’s heavy metal football is accompanied by the backing singers of the Kop; a set of backing vocalists who, when the electric guitars cannot be heard on the pitch, provide the tone needed to push their side to victory.
Without that backing and reminder of who and what you are playing for, Liverpool have sunk into predictability. As a result, what was previously a fortress, has been turned into an open invitation to gain three points.
Everything Anfield represents has been stripped away; the electrifying battle cries; the famous rendition of ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ to set the tone. All of that is gone. Instead, it has been replaced by an awkward, depressing silence.
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The spine of the team has been ripped away through injuries, yes. But, more importantly, the heart that keeps the mentality monsters ticking has been stolen away by COVID-19.
Lack of Anfield 12th Man Beginning to Damage Liverpool
Anfield a Fortress No More
Last time Anfield was full in a Premier League game, the fans could be heard singing ‘we’re gonna win the league’ for the first time in 30 years as Mohamed Salah created a moment to remember by finishing Manchester United off.
A year, and almost a month later, an empty Anfield that was previously an impenetrable fortress has just been set alight and burned down by Sean Dyche, Graham Potter and Pep Guardiola. From over 60 games unbeaten at home, Liverpool have lost three on the bounce for the first time in Premier League history.
Liverpool aren’t the only team to fall victim to the silence of the stands, either. Sheffield United- last season’s high flyers- haven’t been the same without their 12th man. From European contenders, led by a packed and intimidating Brammal Lane, Chris Wilder’s side have fallen to the foot of the table, 12 points away from safety.
A lot of other reasons can be pointed to as to why Liverpool have struggled. The aforementioned injuries cannot be forgotten; no team attempting to defend a title has lost so many crucial players for extended periods of time in any season.
But, in previous times, with Anfield full, we have seen Jurgen Klopp’s mentality monsters do the impossible by defeating Barcelona without Roberto Firmino; without Andy Robertson; without Mohamed Salah, but, crucially, with their backing singers in the Kop.
Jurgen Klopp Also Drained Without the Fans at Anfield
When the fans made a brief return to Anfield last season, all of a sudden, Liverpool had their personality back; they were electric once more, and so was Jurgen Klopp. For the first time in 2020, normality seemed restored.
Liverpool swept Wolverhampton Wanderers aside 4-0, Firmino Anfieldwas back to his cheeky, skilful best as the Anfield faithful pulled out the famous rendition of Si Senor.
The rendition of ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ that night was spine-tingling as a City reunited once more to watch on as Jurgen Klopp’s heavy metal football played out.
And, as the game ended, Klopp could be seen once more punching the air towards the Kop like a re-energised figure that everyone knows him to be. Without the fans, the source of that energy is gone. Klopp is instead resigned to the unwelcomed silence.
The German is the type of manager that thrives off atmospheres such as the one at Anfield or at Borussia Dortmund; he creates teams moulded to play with the energy to match the atmosphere. Take that away, and that energy is gone, both on and off the pitch.
Now, the focus must be on securing Champions League football for the sake of long-term consequences for the club. The return of Jota, Keita and the arrivals of Ozan Kabak and Ben Davies will help. Liverpool will still miss the Anfield faithful, but they must battle on.
The rebuilding of the once impenetrable fortress must begin as soon as possible.
Main Photo
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