Is it just me...?

[Halmeister]

Or is anyone else getting fed up with football? I've been umming and ahhing about starting this thread for a few days, but I couldn't even be arsed to do that. I was going to give a long and detailed explanation why (mostly VAR), but I just don't have it in me.

I'm proper losing interest this year, and I never thought that would happen. Anyone else?

 

[darkstarexodus]

Nah. I just watched the highlight pack from the City-Baggies match and shrieked in delight when it reached full time.

This is a wild, strange season but we are in it and let's see what comes.

 

[gkmacca]

I don't really know what it is. I'm like a dog tilting its head at an angle and staring. It's not football. I haven't worked out what it is, let alone if I like it.

Everything is weird.

The scrupulous non-contact ritual, followed by the usual hugs, handshakes, face touching and spitting. The appalling refereeing, which is just so random and inconsistent as to make it a kind of performance art. The ridiculous VAR madness that has well and truly tumbled down the rabbit hole. The replays, which, when the real-time action is quite capable of shifting from one end to the next in seconds, spend about a minute exhausting every camera angle. And the games themselves, which play out like some coked-up LA show runner has held another meeting and ordered new plots for each week.

The TV experience is zero. I don't watch any other games, and have zero interest even in hearing the results. I see our games, but strangely reluctantly.

I watch with the sound down low enough so that the incredibly irritating chipmunk sounds from Carragher are impossible to comprehend (why do we have Carra and McManaman doing LFC games? Get a neutral for everyone's sake!), but then hear myself mumbling about how everything is shite during the game. It's about as much fun as watching F1, which is no fun whatsover.

The fact that the surrounding media tries to act as though everything is normal - complete with 'mind games' stories, tribal warfare and transfer non-stories - only adds to the air of unreality. We now get postmatch interviews in which whiny weasels like Des Kelly get to be the news!

But, unable as I still am to go to a game, I still do the other stuff, even though the other stuff is weirdly warped and boring. I doubt I'll keep it up. But I'd still like to work out what the hell it is.

 

[Bradley]

I sort of know what you mean. It feels like it's relentless in terms of the number of games, injuries, VAR, lack of fans and even Klopp being a grumpy cunt off the back of all that.

Another thing, we won the league and that's great. But we, or the players didn't get to bask in it really. They had a few weeks off and then got told to go do it again.

 

[Bradley]

Oh and despite what I just said, I'm watching more of our games than ever.

If we are playing, I'm watching. In the past, I'd try and make space, get the kids to bed, miss the first 15 to help with all the shite around the house. Now, I'm thinking, fuck this, it's about the only live variety in life. Everything else is going through the motions of work, netflix etc.

 

[darkstarexodus]

I understand and agree with the comments about the game changing - and not for the better. If we werent in the race, I might just try to bask in last year's success and forget about this season. But we have a world class team and a chance at major honours again. I want to enjoy this as much as possible, for as long as it lasts. It's killing me that we are on lockdown and I cant watch with our local supporters (I'm working away from home anyways...) but it's still a great time to be a Red.

I'm also watching CONCACAF Champions League tonight so I'm also clearly short of options to keep busy with. So take the above for what it's worth.

 

[James]

The issue is VAR. It has sucked the enjoyment out of the game. The excitement, the spontaneous nature of joy when a goal is scored is gone because you’re just waiting for it to be ruled offside.
To give you an example, imagine VAR holding up the celebrations when Aguero scored that goal to win the league? A true moment in football history would be lost. I worry we’re never have feelings like that associated with football again.

 

[My_Blood_Bleeds_Red]

I would summarise everything into one word.

Fatigue.

It’s been a mentally, emotionally sapping and draining year for everyone.

 

[dmishra]

The biggest issue has been lack of fans. Football without fans is pointless and shit, and I've not cared much about it this season.

Seeing the Kop full against Wolves gave me more joy than anything so far this season.

Also, it's a joke that the football world decided to go for such a condensed schedule in these circumstances. The League Cup and meaningless international friendlies should have been dumped years ago, but they've actually doubled down on those. What a joke.

VAR is a problem, but that's not something that's emerged this year. I am hopeful that good sense will prevail in the long run, and we'll have a sensible review system, the kind we have in cricket which works really well.

 

[Frogfish]

I would summarise everything into one word.

Fatigue.

It’s been a mentally, emotionally sapping and draining year for everyone.

Yep. I read through the comments and this is the one that was absent.

It's not really anything to do with VAR (though the sheer number of matches in a condensed schedule contributes), it's a combination of lethargy, melancholy & mental exhaustion brought on by a whole year of fighting CV-19, lockdowns, lockouts (Anfield), children at home 24/7, Brexit, the Trump circus and even the countless injuries the team has suffered. Humans hate change and love routine, this year has upended everything. A true Annus Horribilis.

2021 is going to be a good year: the vaccine will arrive so life can return to a semblance of normality (as it has here in China, some new habits have become routine and older habits discarded but in the main life is back to normal), Brexit will be done with (not the aftermath but there will be good news too), no more bloody Trump (except the fun of watching him and his 'ugly family' fight legal battles galore) and the team injuries will lessen (despite Hal's miserable forecasts). We may even win the title or the CL again especially if we can get Gomez or VvD back before the end of the season because it certainly looks like we have the best first 15 in Europe.

 

[Mamma Mia]

I lost interest in football in general years ago.

I didn't watch a single minute of the last World Cup, and I can't remember the last time I watched a game that didn't involve us.

These days I just watch our games, get a thrill when we play well, and if we don't I just shrug it off and continue my day.

Personally, my relationship with football is much healthier now, but yes, the love of the game is waning.

 

[rurikbird]

Yeah, like others said, too many games coupled with general fatigue. But then you realize LFC, particularly this Klopp's team, is actually one of the few beacons of normalcy that remains, so I try to watch even when the game is at 4am Taiwan time, which is a huge drag.

I do enjoy watching other EPL games from time to time too – other than the Manchester "anti-derby," the football has been surprisingly good and without the empty stadiums and other COVID-related disruptions, this season might have been thought of as one of the most exciting in history. Very close at the top, lots of interesting storylines, Bielsa and Hasenhuttl's teams have been a breath of fresh air football-wise, Leicester are knocking on the door, even Everton and West Ham have figured out how to win, Arsenal are entertaining in their own way... Really hope as many fans as possible can return to all the stadiums; the difference is massive.

 

[tombrown]

Ive felt like that since Project restart; there have been a few highlights along the way (one very obvious one), but in general I am not excited by it anymore. I cant be arsed watching any match apart from Liverpool ones anymore, and even our matches dont excite me particularly.

Lack of crowds, the shit implementation of VAR, and the fact that my lad, who I have watched the match with for the last 15 years or so, is now at college in Belfast and nto sat beside me giving me the fucking hardest, stingiest most painful high five every time the reds score all combine to this.

SO glad I got rid of Sky (€150 per month) for a dodgy box (€30 per year plus an extra €5 per month for an optional sports only app that adds DAZN, Optus and many others). That's the silver lining

 

[Frogfish]

Yeah, like others said, too many games coupled with general fatigue. But then you realize LFC, particularly this Klopp's team, is actually one of the few beacons of normalcy that remains, so I try to watch even when the game is at 4am Taiwan time, which is a huge drag.

I do enjoy watching other EPL games from time to time too – other than the Manchester "anti-derby," the football has been surprisingly good and without the empty stadiums and other COVID-related disruptions, this season might have been thought of as one of the most exciting in history. Very close at the top, lots of interesting storylines, Bielsa and Hasenhuttl's teams have been a breath of fresh air football-wise, Leicester are knocking on the door, even Everton and West Ham have figured out how to win, Arsenal are entertaining in their own way... Really hope as many fans as possible can return to all the stadiums; the difference is massive.

You're in Taiwan ? A short 2 hour flight from Shanghai.

 

[Fabio]

Football's shite. I've been on this slide for a few years. Last year obviously pricked my ears up a bit, but for the most part it's shite. It's a game run by corporations played by businessmen. No one really seems to care on field any more

 

[Hansern]

I see several players that care. But I also see players that are affected by VAR, a horrendous schedule and no fans in the stadiums.
This season was always going to be weird though.

We're at a turning point in regards to interest, as if UEFA expands the CL and creating some sort of European super league or if VAR continues to ruin the game for players and fans - then I think football will lose its current standing.

 

[The Nomad]

I genuinely think it's a combination of VAR taking far too long + skys shit crowd noise.

I'm the opposite of Bradley.

Previously I'd watch every minute. My now wife still hasn't forgiven me for watching Liverpool vs City on her birthday a few years ago (when Coutinho scored in the 3-2).

Now I'll watch it if it's on.. and didn't bother to try and find streams when we weren't on the box.

 

[Modo]

It's been this way for years. You get older, people around you get older, new priorities like family, work etc. I just realised that there's more important things. I still love sports but I can't really sit and watch 4 games in a row every Saturday.

But the one thing I really miss, was hanging around at the cafeteria during my school days and talking football with my friends. They had their teams and I had mine. Nowadays, I spend my breaks talking about fucking gardening, stocks and house loans.

 

[rurikbird]

You're in Taiwan ? A short 2 hour flight from Shanghai.

Yeah, staying here until the lockdowns in NYC are over. Almost feeling survivor's guilt as I experience completely normal life here, while the rest of the world is suffering...

 

[SummerOnions]

We just won the league for the first time in 30 years it's natural to have a bit of a downer after it I think

 

[LeTallecWiz]

I don't watch footy nearly as much - just not as interested.
I still watch all the Liverpool games, and enjoy seeing my kids getting into it and ask questions and get excited (My 6 year old was watching the 1st half of Fulham and was firing so many questions - he's gutted most of the time because he loves Keita and doesn't hear many updates on him).
VAR needs to be changed -
Virus needs to be controlled so the fans can be a part of the game again, because without us, footy is just a glorified training session (I think I'm quoting Macca there?).
I'll still be ecstatic when we fucking shut Mourinho up - talking all his shit as usual - and when we inshallah win #20.

 

[mike2903]

Gary Neville, Jamie Carragher, Jamie Redknapp, Clinton Morrison and VAR are ruining football.

I didn't mind Nev and Carra when then first started, now it's tiresome and cringeworthy. Jamie Redknapp..... I don't really know what to say, much like him, but he manages to say an awful lot about not an awful lot. Clinton Morrison, I think I just hate him from his playing days.

And VAR, I'd like to think things can only get better but I think it's not going to is it? It's ruining football, the joy has gone. When we score I don't even celebrate I just wait for the inevitable VAR bollocks. I celebrate more when a VAR decision goes against the opposition than when we score which seems a bit perverse.

 

[RedStar]

I sort of know what you mean. It feels like it's relentless in terms of the number of games, injuries, VAR, lack of fans and even Klopp being a grumpy cunt off the back of all that.

Another thing, we won the league and that's great. But we, or the players didn't get to bask in it really. They had a few weeks off and then got told to go do it again.

I agree, I think its the sheer frequency of games combined with no real summer break. It kind of feels like last season never ended.

Theres usually a 2-3 week stretch from mid Dec to Jan where theres games on constantly and everything is going full tilt. Its great but exhausting and by the time its over your gald for normality. Weve been doing that for 3 months now with another 6 to go. I think its mental fatigue more than anything.

 

[Frogfish]

Yeah, staying here until the lockdowns in NYC are over. Almost feeling survivor's guilt as I experience completely normal life here, while the rest of the world is suffering...

Haha yes know the feeling with family and friends back home. Sister and that side of the family are in NZ though .. so not THAT guilty 😀

 

[gkmacca]

Gary Neville, Jamie Carragher, Jamie Redknapp, Clinton Morrison and VAR are ruining football.

I didn't mind Nev and Carra when then first started, now it's tiresome and cringeworthy. Jamie Redknapp..... I don't really know what to say, much like him, but he manages to say an awful lot about not an awful lot. Clinton Morrison, I think I just hate him from his playing days.

And VAR, I'd like to think things can only get better but I think it's not going to is it? It's ruining football, the joy has gone. When we score I don't even celebrate I just wait for the inevitable VAR bollocks. I celebrate more when a VAR decision goes against the opposition than when we score which seems a bit perverse.

The thing is, sometimes in the past a goal would be scored, wild celebrations would begin, and then the linesman's flag would be noticed. So the deflating element has always been there. But unlike now with VAR, it would take seconds rather than minutes, and it would usually be for a 'clear and obvious' error, which didn't require endless replays. If VAR was used properly, it wouldn't be causing all this grief. But yes, it's currently wrecking the experience.

One other minor but niggling thing: that broadcasters have chosen this time to really push on with using women as pundits, often with the 'boast' that so-and-so has won a gizillion trophies and caps playing in games hardly anyone saw. The odd one is good - there's some Brummie on 5live who is exceptional - but too often they're just inarticulate non-entities, and there are too many blokes like that already.

Then there's the phenomenon of the self-admiring Alex Scott at HT, 'explaining' stuff to Souness...

 

[Dreambeliever]

Life priorities change but I still enjoy the football.


I can imagine it must be completely shite for fans Of teams who hate us 😀

 

[My_Blood_Bleeds_Red]

i mean i dont even remember the last world cup or euros i watched. i used to be crazy over them. literally crazy. i'd be like Edwards with his data science preparing for every single match. I'd know every tiny detail down to every hair, of each player, each blade of grass, etc.

these days, i only watch Liverpool and sometimes only the highlights. Other times, i check into 6CM for the news and goss. that's how boring football in general has become for me.

 

[Silver Sean]

Football's shite. I've been on this slide for a few years. Last year obviously pricked my ears up a bit, but for the most part it's shite. It's a game run by corporations played by businessmen. No one really seems to care on field any more

So after the Barca comeback when Gini, Hendo, Milner dropped to the floor you thought of them as businessmen who don't care. Interesting take.

 

[Silver Sean]

I don't watch any other football but us. I couldn't name a single player from Burnley or WBA or Brighton or anyone really. Can't stand international football, commentators, pundits, other fans. And quite a lot of our own fans either.
No fans in the grounds, not being able to go to the game and see my mates and have a laugh on an away or whatever. And VAR.
Mainly VAR.
Fuck VAR.
The biggest pile of shit ever created. Sucked all the joy and spontaneity out of the game.
Giving jumped up traffic wardens more power. Dreadful.

 

[Fabio]

So after the Barca comeback when Gini, Hendo, Milner dropped to the floor you thought of them as businessmen who don't care. Interesting take.

Yes, name 1 game from the last 2 years where a ridiculous amount of money and bonuses could be on the line

How does my viewpoint impact you to highlight me, in a thread or people not giving a fuck