This isn't supposed to feel good...

in #soccer7 years ago

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/apr/04/liverpool-manchester-city-champions-league-quarter-final-first-leg-match-report

As a Manchester United fan, one isn't supposed to take pleasure in Liverpool winning.

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/mar/31/pep-guardiola-manchester-city-champions-league-everton-liverpool

It had been suggested that Manchester City would play a strong team at Liverpool and a weakened team would be fielded at Manchester United this weekend, despite the once in a lifetime opportunity to win the title playing against their neighbours and bitterest rivals; as with the title already in the bag, focus had shifted towards the Champions League.

When Manchester City have committed to showboating towards glory, one can feel delighted that Liverpool have managed to throw a spanner in the works. It is still very possible that City could claim the title with a weakened team this weekend, but the denial of European glory appears to be exactly what they deserve. The sensation of feeling delighted at witnessing Man Utd's greatest rivals win is an awkward one to admit to.

One could also begrudgingly respect the attacking force that Jurgen Klopp has constructed at Liverpool. We can take great satisfaction of our own superior performances against them this season, but one has to wonder if in previous eras they would have been title winners or not. Competition among the top 6 in the Premier League is arguably more intense than ever and I'd expect that next season, Liverpool will preserve their brand of attacking football but seek to strengthen in other areas. They will also face the threat of losing some of their best attacking talent in the summer.