Although maybe it didn’t feel
like it at the time, I liked that we
had the setbacks we did, so we
could show the side of us that
fights back. It wasn’t that we
were carried over the line – we
had to scrap to get there. This
is cool for our development. The
other clubs pushed us all the
way; they sprinted with us to
the finish-line but we got there
ahead of them.
I also liked that the final day of
the season had a cup final feel
to it: we knew we had to win and
under that immense pressure
- of an entire season's work
effectively resting on one 90
minutes – we produced.
We have shown again at the
start of this season’s campaign
that we have kept hold of
these qualities and, if anything,
enhanced them.
The two legs against
Hoffenheim and then against
Spartak Moscow were really,
really important and the team
delivered. We had the setbacks
against Man City, Tottenham
and Sevilla away and came back
strong. This is a team that, on
the rare occasions it is knocked
to the canvas, gets back on its
feet, composes itself and moves
forward to engage again.
It is maybe more important
than ever that as a club – that
is team and supporters – we
recognise the importance of our
continued development.
No one here ever concedes a
fight until the final bell of the final
round sounds, but realistically
Manchester City are in a good
moment. If we were lesser
people than we are collectively,
we could maybe use that as
an excuse to not perform to
our maximum. It is vital that we
all – every single one of us who
cares about this club – banishes
any attitude of that nature to the
sidelines.
We are about progression and
development and our ambition is
below no one. We have trophies
to fight for and goals to achieve
this season.
This team and this group of
players is about so much more
than just entertaining. Yes, we
work every day because we
love football and we all believe
in playing the game in an
adventurous, positive way. But
that is just a part of what we are
about.
Our identify – as individuals, as
a team, a squad and as a club –
is about winning.
So, with the year coming to a
close in the next few days it is
appropriate we look back briefly
on what has been a very fulfilling
12 months together, but more so
look ahead to what is still to be
achieved together.
We must take the information
and learning from the last yearand use it to our advantage
for what is to come. I have
confidence with the amazing
players and staff we have, allied
with the support we get each
and every matchday, that the
next year will be even better.
Turning specifically to today I
welcome the players, coaching
staff, officials and supporters of
Swansea City to Anfield.
Swansea have the highest-
quality players available to
them and they can produce
performances that make the
best teams in this league come
under pressure. We must be on
our guard for them and we must
be at our best, otherwise we will
not come close to getting what
we want from the game.
I wish the Swansea supporters
safe travels to Liverpool and an
equally safe return home again.
Our own supporters know only
too well, after recent trips, how
difficult and costly it is to travel
such distances at this time of
year specifically. All of us blessed
to be working in this great game
appreciate and recognise that
without the commitment the
supporters demonstrate there
would be no point us being here
today.
Hopefully the reward for that
commitment is a football match
to enjoy.
You’ll Never Walk Alone
Jürgen