Here at “Going Down The Oteley Road” we will be speaking to fans of our opposition throughout the season. Ahead of our FA Cup Fourth Round game at home against Liverpool, we had a chat with a Reds fan.
What’s your name?
Michelle McKenny.
Where are you from?
I’m from a little corner of Liverpool called Huyton – hometown of Stevie G himself and like him I also now live in sunny Scotland but I moved here first so clearly he’s copying me.
How long have you supported Liverpool?
I’ve supported Liverpool all my life really but my earliest memories are watching the games in my nans and being mesmerised (mostly because on the wind up my uncle told me that if they lost it was because I was putting them off by talking) so I watched in stunned silence – but given it was 80s LFC it turned out it wasn’t too bad an experience. That turned into watching them train at Melwood, hunting autographs, going to games and then landing a job at Anfield! So getting paid in Liverpool shirts as a fan was pretty amazing.
Who is your favourite ever Liverpool player?
This is so difficult as there’s too many to choose from like Souness and Hansen. There’s something about a player that wasn’t scared to put the boot in (when it was more acceptable) and both of them were such good leaders. And then there’s Kenny who speaks for himself. But I’ll ALWAYS be a diehard Robbie Fowler fan. There was just something about him that made him simultaneously the hardest working person on the pitch, looking to make those runs and his physicality making him seem knackered – then he could just turn it on and put such an effortless finish on a ball and scored some cracking goals. I’ll always remember that hat trick against Arsenal that was the quickest until Mane broke the record at Southampton (but then he came to us so I can’t really begrudge him stealing Robbies record). Fowler always looked like he was enjoying himself as well. I preferred him a million percent to Owen. Helps that he was a hometown boy as well that turned from the dark side to wear a red shirt haha. Cried my eyes out the day he left. Then when he came back. Then when he left again.
Who is your favourite ever Liverpool manager?
King Kenny. We’ve been lucky with most of our managers to be honest but hands down (and probably out of sentimentality) King Kenny was was just something else. Both times. He just loves the club and it shows. The way he carried himself and the club during our worst time will always stay with me – he was so dignified. He always had his players backs as well. Ultimately that was his undoing second time around because you can only back Suarez so much – but there’s just something about that level of loyalty that’s appealing. And he always just naturally commanded respect – didn’t need to shout the odds. Passionate but reserved at the same time. It’s a hard balance but he managed it. Love seeing him at games these days cheering them on – he knows that feeling this squad is creating. It’s just so nostalgic – watching this Liverpool team is reminiscent of Kennys player/manager days.
Who should we watch out for from the current Liverpool team?
There’s too many haha – wee Trent, Ox – even Harvey Elliott is making a mark- they are all absolutely superstars of the future. Milner is a machine at the minute and Virgil is just – well he is football perfection. But Andy Robertson is totally unstoppable just now – can’t take your eyes off him in a game. Really humble and willing to learn from Van Dijk but immensely talented in his own right and shouldn’t be overshadowed or overlooked. The guy would run all day given the chance. Again looks like he’s having the time of his life and enjoys every minute he’s in that red shirt. Definitely a future captain – he reminds me of Hansen sometimes.
Where do you think you will finish in the league this season?
Haha I’m not going to say it. Ask me again in May (or maybe April/late March).
What do you know about Shrewsbury?
I don’t really know a lot about Shrewsbury to be honest. I’m very much a club fan rather than a general football fan these days so I’m guilty of overlooking teams we don’t play regularly (sorry!) but I do know Willie Weir played for them (husband went to school with his son). I’m definitely looking forward to this tie though. I’m nervous as a Liverpool fan because when you’re on a run you’re always waiting for the wheels to come off. And cup games are always a different breed – anything can happen. I just hope Klopp doesn’t field a side that underestimates Shrewsbury – although he didn’t have a choice but to field kids in the Carabao cup, fielding the young ones still backfired and we can’t risk that again. And even if you’re chasing the league/Champions League, you should still try and win all your games. I think Shrewsbury will be up for it – I hope to see some of the Shrewsbury players holding their own against the visiting EPL “stars” – it helps keep egos grounded and shows everyone else that there’s more to football than the Premier League. It definitely is the magic of the cup and again anything can happen. I just hope it’s a good game.
What do you think the score will be?
3-1 to us. On paper we’re the favourites and depending on who plays you’d expect the usual suspects to bang some goals in. But being a Liverpool fan, I know all too well we can make mistakes and I think there’ll be a few occasions where we let our guard down and Shrewsbury will capitalise. Plus they’re the home team and you should never underestimate the power of the 12th man – we’ve relied on them often enough!
Big thanks to Michelle, hope you enjoy the game.
Daz Carding
“Going Down The Oteley Road”
Going Down The Oteley Road 