Footy Fatigue
Ah, this is the football offseason. BS transfer rumors are abound, the sun is shining, and the heat is everywhere. Perhaps more importantly, it is seen as a brief respite after a long and arduous season. This is even more so the case considering what we experienced as Liverpool fans throughout the last campaign. 2023-24 concluded with the departure of our most prolific manager of the modern era, Jurgen Klopp. Despite the European club season ending months ago, there has been ample footy to sustain fans throughout the break. The Euros and the Copa America have filled the gap. But after last season, I’ve been strangely detached from those particular competitions. This is especially worrying considering the club has something at stake with some of our star players being key participants. The fatigue has finally set in.
READ MORE: Left Wing Things by John Carl Bolido
SUBSCRIBE & FOLLOW: YouTube / X (Formerly Twitter) / Instagram / TikTok / Patreon
Burning Out
Throughout my time writing for American Scouser, I’ve mostly leaned toward the analytical side of things. When it comes to Liverpool I lean in that direction rather than how I feel about certain things. However, with the offseason in full swing and LFC-related headlines a bit on the minimal side, it’s time I talked about this particular aspect of me more, which is that I suffer a significant amount of football fatigue after every season and need all the time presented throughout the offseason to recharge.
This might sound pretentious to some, but hear me out. After a long season where you wear your emotions on your sleeve, the natural feeling is to be drained at the end. In my case, this is win or lose. Whether it was the Champions League Final in 2019, where we won number six, the league title in the summer of 2020, or when we narrowly lost to Real Madrid in the 2022 Champions League Final, the prevalent feeling of giving it your all after a long season and feeling empty, weighs heavy on me.
Recharge Time
That being said, it doesn’t mean that my passion for the Reds has wavered in any shape or form. In fact, these feelings come to light due to too much passion. It’s emotionally draining, especially when things end in heartbreak. It’s because of these feelings that I haven’t managed to tune in as much as I would like to see some of our boys playing in the international tournaments. Although, it’s unavoidable to tune in from time to time and get a preview of how things will be next season.
This is why I ask you, fellow reader, if this feeling is unique to me, or is it more common than I think? One thing is certain, by the time August rolls around, I’ll be recharged and ready to go again to witness the next chapter in Liverpool’s history under our new gaffer. In the meantime, these are the days when my weekends aren’t dependent on a single Premier League result. The moments of unease when the Reds are defending a narrow lead, watching the ball being crossed into our box by the opposition, are virtually non-existent. Forgive me if I try and savor this as much as I can.
Now, I’m off to grab another pint as I finish this piece. I’m making the most of the last month we’ve got left before the madness returns. Happy summer, Reds!
