Last night I watched the first instalment of 'Being Liverpool'. It had been forwarded to me by a member as an MP4 file last week but I hadn't got round to watching as I'm on my travels. Finally though, I set an hour to one side and powered up my laptop to watch it in my hotel room here in Malta.
I'm not sure if it was what I expected or not. Although many fans, especially younger ones, will have enjoyed the insight, I found it cringeworthy at times. The exchanging of the shirts between the Red Sox and the Reds at Fenway Park was an example of this.
One of England's most secretive clubs had finally opened its doors. This wasn't the Liverpool Way. This wasn't what I was brought up to accept. Younger fans and those who are maybe new to supporting the club since the emergence of the Premier League, will probably not understand me, although I understand them. They want this kind of stuff and they're convinced that it'll sell shirts. Me, I'm not convinced. I believe success sells shirts and if such exclusive access was to be given, I'd rather see a media establishment such as the BBC throw their weight behind it. At the end of the day though it isn't really a documentary, it's a commercial, so I'll plod along and try not to spoil it for those of you who are still licking your lips.
The narration by Clive Owen was terribly dull. It reminded me of the kind of narration you'd hear on television during the broadcast of a state funeral. The U.S. script certainly won't have helped but the dull, slow voice with the occasional inclusion of tribal music just didn't work for miserable, non-American old farts like me.
My partner had no real knowledge about this series, nor does she have any interest in it as a Spurs fan, but she didn't feel the love either. She said it was just a very strong PR offensive which was obviously only aimed for the American market. No sh*t, Sherlock!
Watching the start of part 1 saw us told how poor Liverpool's performances had been during the last 3 years. The footage kept focusing on Kenny Dalglish during the early narration which would mean that anyone who doesn't know about Liverpool Football Club will have been left thinking that the Liverpool legend was exclusively responsible for the decline.
Seeing Tom Werner and John Henry sat on a couch explaining their vision just reminded me of how out-of-touch they are with regards football. Hopefully in time this will change but I found it uncomfortable hearing them talk about 'King Kenny'. I just couldn't picture David Moores sat there chain smoking or Peter Robinson allowing the cameras into his office. Such would be unthinkable.
Naturally Ian Ayre was featured and fortunately this time he wasn't dressed as if he'd just been down to B&Q to pick up some new shelves. Although I defended him over the Clint Dempsey saga, I do feel that he needs to be moved back in to marketing and a new exprienced CEO brought in. He's a nice enough bloke but the senior management set-up just doesn't click yet.
It was good to see the players at home in their personal lives. Seeing Suarez, Lucas and Coates all hanging out was great. I could also relate to Steven Gerrard when he said that when he gets home there's no football talk and that's how he likes it. When I go away for a break with my partner, like now for example, I enjoy meeting KopTalk members on my travels but I don't want to talk LFC 24/7 as it's also my job. Don't get me wrong, I love my job, just like Steven loves playing for Liverpool, but there are times when you just need to switch off. I was annoyed though when the narrator referred to Gerrard as winning 'two FA Cup titles' yet there was no mention of his European Cup winners medal. What a gaff.
I enjoyed watching Fabio Borino undergo his medical. I'm not really interested in what decor the players have in their homes, I prefer to see how transfers and other key matters are concluded. For example, it would be good to see more of Ian Ayre at work and hopefully over the series we might see more of that. And when I say 'at work', I mean at work in relation to club matters and not at work with a bit of totty in a city night club.
Brendan Rodgers once again continued to say the right thing. The Liverpool manager comes across as more convincing than Mother Theresa at times. When he finishes talking, I say out loud: "I believe" and "yes we can". The huge self-portrait displayed in the family home opens the manager up for some ridicule but it actually left me feeling inspired to have one commissioned of myself
Harry Redknapp recently had a dig at young, unproven managers by saying: "These days you're getting 70-page dossiers on this and that. Bullsh*t can baffle brains" ... in other words, let the football do the talking and this for me is the only criticism I have of Brendan Rodgers to date. I also feel the same about FSG. There's just too much talking coming out of Anfield. Obviously I'm not going to criticise the manager for his charm during this club-backed series, I am of course talking about the bigger picture and it's something that I continue to observe.
When employed as the manager, Kenny Dalglish came across as wanting to execute the media, Brendan Rodgers on the other hand is the absolute opposite, he wants them all on side. Whether or not he can sustain that love affair we'll have to wait and see. Present form suggests they'll soon start turning on him unless things pick up.
The highlight of last night's episode was watching Jamie Carragher trying to keep a straight face while taking part in a bizarre relaxation and meditation class. I was rolling around the floor laughing at the Liverpool defender. I'd expect to see classes like this under Glenn Hoddle's watch but hey ho, if the manager believes that nonsense will help us, fair play to him.
As the series develops, I'd like to see more focus given to the manager's relationships with his players. The one-on-one coaching with Jon Flanagan is what I want to see more of. As much as I like Brendan Rodgers, I'd prefer to see him coaching than listening to his words of wisdom, some of which would leave Martin Luther King feeling proud.
Yes at times it was toe-curling but as a fan I'd still watch it if it was aired every week all year round. Maybe I shouldn't be too critical as it was aimed for the U.S. market and it does serve a purpose I guess. Had a British broadcaster created the series with editorial input from authentic football people, then it would have been much better in my opinion.
My biggest criticism relates to the narration, the script and at times the music. The actual footage of our boys and club can never be a bad thing so I look forward to seeing part 2. Hopefully someone will leak it to me again
DUNCAN OLDHAM
KOPTALK.COM EDITOR
