On Identity & Self-Awareness
Even the most sure-minded stumble with crises of confidence and identity. Community leaders grapple with their vision and platform. Young parents question their methods and wonder where their old selves have gone. Our Reds are establishing a new standard following the glory of a league trophy and a whirlwind, tragic break.
When a football fan, Red supporter or not, closes their eyes and describes to you a few defining characteristics of Liverpool’s identity, you’ll get a few repeat answers from the last handful of years. Heavy metal, suffocating press, brick wall at the back, and an abundance of dizzying through balls into space, among other favorable descriptions. In the 24/25 season, we saw Arne Slot fill a Rick Rubin role. He tinkered with an almost perfect product. The result was a convincing hybrid of Slot’s restraint and Jurgen Klopp’s zeal. With a full summer transfer window in hand on top of the tragic loss of our number 20, it’s the Arne show, and results haven’t yet fully formed.
READ MORE: Our Intrusive Thoughts & Texts by Joe Johnson
SUBSCRIBE & FOLLOW: YouTube / X (Formerly Twitter) / Instagram / TikTok / Patreon / BlueSky
What Is The Club Identity?
What is the identity of this iteration of one of the most storied clubs in Europe (Brexit denier here)? With the sun setting on the careers of our foundational heroes and leaders, albeit in very different ways, where are we headed and who are we now? Somehow, we’ve seen this team triumph over the likes of Arsenal, Real Madrid, Inter, and Atleti. Conversely, they dropped points emphatically to sides like Man United, PSV, Leeds, and Sunderland. Evidence is unmistakable that the talent is there. It’s the identity that breeds consistency and reliability that is missing. When a core understanding of self and team doesn’t exist, the eleven men on the pitch are forced to reinvent the wheel every game to find what works. At this highest level, this is unsustainable.
It’s an unenviable position in which Arne Slot finds himself today. He’s juggling expectations, big personalities, and blockbuster signings all alongside waxing and waning form and ability. How do you honor one generation and style of play while graciously passing the torch to the next leaders? And who will those leaders be?
A trio of players seems primed for the opportunity: Dom, Heki, and Grav. All in their own ways, these three have shown what it means to lead the next generation of Liverpool football. With Dom starring in the everywhere man role, Heki leading with tenacity and efficiency up front, and Grav manning the engine room, identity can be rebuilt. Given the mental makeups of these three, they show on the pitch their readiness to take on the responsibility.
Carving Things Out
And what will the identity look like if these three take the helm? It’s fair to think that we’ve seen glimpses in recent performances against Brighton and Inter—dictation of tempo with the intention to hit ahead to a big, strong number 9.
SHOP THE AMERICAN SCOUSER COLLECTION TODAY
How their teammates will fill in around them is a looming question as well. A healthy dose of buy-in is required of these colleagues. Mo has asked more questions than he has answered on the side during this campaign. Flo has shown moments of brilliance, but he’ll need to support the transition. Isak hasn’t yet clicked, but showed a brilliant bit of skill before getting injured. Macca has been slow to return to form from a smattering of injuries that began late last season. Virg has had numerous befuddling moments to complement the uneven play of his center-half mate.
As all great institutions do, Liverpool finds itself where the only path forward is identity and collective buy-in. The side has all the pieces. With an understanding of who they are, they will revel in a comeback stronger than ever before.