NICK FEINBERG: REDS’ DREAM IS NOW A NIGHTMARE

HELLO my good football people…Trust you’re well! Not sure about you, but as this season is unfolding, it feels more and more like a blockbuster soapie!

Am I imagining it or is it fair to say football is becoming less predictive? Yes there was always unexpected results and bad runs of form, but these days it just feels like everything is amplified.

Perhaps it’s because the level of risk and consequence related to the size of investment in the game that has reached unimaginable heights? And Liverpool have to be the latest example of this.

Look, it’s still early days, and the way it’s going you can’t write off a sudden turnaround, the clicking of players and a run of 10 wins in a row, but right now it’s looking very disturbing.

It’s gone from “we’re going to win the quadruple” to “oh my god”. The worst form in the Premier League and by what’s being served up on the pitch, deservedly so.

Virgil van Dijk has gone from “general” to an aging donkey, Mo Salah from one of the best Premier League players of all time to “we should replace him with Antony”.

And as for the coach? The term ‘imposter’ feels more and more appropriate! It just feels like 100s of millions of pounds were spent on attacking players with no real idea how to “slot” them in.

It’s worrying times to say the least, and with Crystal Palace, Aston Villa, Real Madrid and Manchester City in their next four games, it’s not going to get any easier.

Could we see manager Arne Slot sacked before Christmas? According to reports, (of course it’s an easy clickbait headline), sources close to Liverpool are saying management feels the sensational return of Jurgen Klopp isn’t off the table! Haha we’re all such mugs.

Mind you, after five losses from their last six games in all competitions, you never know what’s going to happen if their current form continues.

Conversely it’s all roses at Old Trafford! What the f**k happened there? Above the Scousers? It felt like it was the other day we were all praying for the coach to stay on as he dragged Manchester United further and further into the abyss.

But suddenly there’s hope, and energy and you can’t really argue with United fans proclaiming “we’re back!”. I wouldn’t get too excited yet though, judging on the last third of the 4-2 win on Saturday. After a brilliant hour, they reverted to the same old rubbish we’ve been seeing under Ruben Amorim.

At this stage, I have to make mention of Chelsea. The Blues are nowhere near ready to be considered a title challenging team. They still  have a very immature edge. On Saturday, a team of “men”, organised, strong and full of belief deservedly won. 

What I’m finding really strange is that speaking with Gooners, none of them are mentioning City? It’s like Liverpool were billed as the challengers and the only team in their way? Okay, City lost again on Sunday, but you just always feel they’re a game away from finding their feet?

Anyway, we should be talking Bournemouth and Sunderland! Good luck to both of them, they are run on a fraction of the budget teams beneath them squander, play solid football and they’re absolutely worth their positions on the log. 

Last word people… listen to this for a dilemma. I’m in London at the end of the week. I have tickets for Spurs v Chelsea. The Springboks made a late fixture (v Japan at Wembley). Both are on Saturday afternoon. If my son, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, is playing for the Boks, what do I do? Help.

Chat next week.

Bye bye.