Yeah, I get it. It’s only February. But you know from experience that it’s essentially the stretch run.

There. I said it…the stretch run begins today!

READ MORE: How To Survive Soccer Deserts – Part One by Jeff Cutler
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Explaining Myself

What do I mean by that? I mean we’re in the race now, only a few places above Man City, and with nibbles on our heels from Chelsea and Arsenal.

It is the stretch run of the 24-25 campaign with only 15 matches left in league play…LFC has 16 left because of the Merseyside Derby that was postponed.

For those only focused on European football, a stretch run is a term – as I understand it – that means the final segment of a sports season. I think it originated with Major League Baseball.

And as you know, instead of playing an intelligent number of beautiful games, the folks at the MLB go a few matches further each season. Their teams all play an ungodly 162 games!

Over the course of these games…usually around game 90, just after the annual all-star break…leading teams emergy with about 35-40% of the season remaining. That’s lame.

In the EPL, we might not know the league title winner until 90 minutes plus extra time on May 25, 2025…when we’re finished playing Crystal Palace.

I hope that’s not the case, and that we’re cruising by the start of April. In fact, I read today just before sitting down to mash the keyboard, that we need to win 13 matches and we win the league. No other activity from other teams can influence us.

Getting To The Finish Line

13 wins over the remaining 15 matches is a guaranteed title. I wish we built up a bigger margin over the 900 matches we played in December and early January.

Side note – regardless of the gaffer – Slot or Klopp – Liverpool is always playing about a match a day over the holidays each year. Playing a bunch of extra matches about 45 days before the REAL stretch run can affect a team.

Luckily it also affects the other sides across the EPL, and we’ve got enough skill and depth to weather a hiccup or two. Bearing that in mind, back to my premise that the stretch run begins now. It does.

Some of you will scoff at my premise.

Some will eat taffy because it’s delicious and it’s so taxing to the jawline that it will keep them from wailing in protest. Protest screams that would say City is still cheating and that we got screwed out of a handful of wins because of suspect referee calls.

Regardless, the important matches began this week and continue past Mother’s Day in the United States. What are the ramifications? What’s the expectation? What are the fears?

OK, let’s do a slide tackle into all three.

Ramifications Of The Stretch Run

If it has already begun, the first hit is relationship scheduling. Match days are already sacred, but now too are the social events that begin the late Winter and early Spring. Brunches are being planned by non-supporters. Teas are discussed. Weekends away are even bandied about.

Please don’t fall for it. Sure, social interaction is cool, and we get that at the pub. I think family matters, too. And our true family is on the stools and in the booths at the venue where we observe our Reds.

If you remember junior high school and faking illness when big tests were given so you could stay home and finally do some last-minute studying, that’s the deal. Truth be told, I’m currently writing this very column a day later than I should have because of the past weekend’s matches.

Prepare for this reality by doing some online shopping for your partner if they don’t share your Scouser nature. Distract them with gifts of things and of service. I find that emptying the dishwasher AND FILLING IT often helps smooth over a slew of matches spread from Friday to Monday.

My Expectations For The Stretch Run

Your mileage may vary, but I’ve found expectations to span a huge crevasse of moods. From optimism…

We capture four trophies; Ballon d’Or for Mo; contracts for everyone; solid youth performances in all the cups; few injuries; and a general feeling of warmth and calm.

To complete terror…

Every foul on us is a multi-match injury. Every foul we dish out is a card, keeping players off the pitch in the most important games.

Ultimately, the teams we play will also have to show up. We have history on our side, or at least a strong track record of wins and draws to build on. And we’ve had so much woodwork bashing in the first pile of matches that I’m expecting even more scoring and smiles in the second half.

Stretch Run Fears

You’re not visibly afraid yet. Nor am I. We’ve won late and we’ve won early. We’ve endured draws that could have been losses and vice versa. It’s all going pretty darn well and that’s the problem.

I’m looking for wheels. The inevitable loosening of a few lug nuts, causing a wobble in our play. Metaphors are how I manage my fears in my work and home worlds. Work like a dog. Play like a child. Cry like a baby. Eat like a wolverine. You understand the drill.

With fears, it’s a little worse.

Mostly because our fears of anything can go to unfathomable depths, our minds are so conditioned that we can retrieve the worst thoughts from the best situations. Is Endo going to get himself hurt because of his enthusiasm? Is Trent going to get hurt because of his brashness? Are we going to lose critical matches because of officiating…and is there a way to play to mollify that possibility?

SHOP THE AMERICAN SCOUSER COLLECTION TODAY

It all comes down to taking some deep breaths, choosing the luckiest wardrobe you can, and getting out there to support your team. This isn’t a drill. It’s 2025 and the opportunity to smile a lot is spread out in front of us.

Hop on board for the stretch run of a lifetime. It doesn’t hurt that as an LFC supporter, I’ve had this chance before. The difference is that as a Scouser, I’m not in this solo.

As we close in on May and wrap up this stretch run, I’m happy to be on this path with you…never walking alone.

See you next month.

#YNWA