After the weekend duels in European leagues, a break was announced for the World Cup qualification battles in club clashes, during which some players will represent their national teams, while others will prepare for further battles in local competitions. During the club season break, the most visited national football news portal – "Eurofootball.com", interviewed former referee, now match inspector and SFL president Paulius Malžinskas, who agreed to share his thoughts on the long-supported "Liverpool" team, the "Premier" league, and the upcoming matches of the Lithuanian national team.
- Since when and why did you start supporting the "Liverpool" team?
- I would say that initially, my support for all English football emerged. In the Soviet era, around the 1980s, the only chance to see football clubs from other countries was when Soviet clubs played in the European Cup tournament - the current Champions League and the current equivalent of the Europa League - the UEFA Cup. Those broadcasts were a big event.
What stuck with me the most at that time was that in Europe, there were big stadiums with running tracks, while in England, there were purely football stadiums. The sight of full stands all around the pitch was something impressive. Since then, English football attracted me, and I liked its style of play. At that time, football played by English clubs did not resemble the current "Premier" league - the teams played in a different style, which was similar in all clubs.
The Liverpool club itself made a big impression on me in 1985 when I was 15 years old. At that time, Liverpool played in the Champions League final against Juventus, and then a tragedy occurred after the final, which resulted in all English clubs being suspended from European competitions for five years. At the age of 15, I could not properly assess those events and such a political decision, and besides, information was lacking, so at that time, it seemed like a huge injustice to me. That is why this Champions League final, although marked with a negative connotation due to the loss of lives, was the starting point for me to become interested in the Liverpool club, its history, I started looking for news about it, and it became the team I support.
- Since Liverpool's triumph in the Champions League in the 2004-2005 season, the team has only won one league title, one Community Shield, and one FA Cup over the decade. In your opinion, what did the "Reds" lack the most during those years to add more trophies to the team's collection and win at least one prestigious award?
- Sometimes it cannot even be explained, and in some cases, fortune simply turns away. Although most of those years Liverpool was not close to winning titles, in 2014, they were very close to the Premier League trophy. You probably remember the match against Chelsea at home, a few rounds before the end of the season, where the team captain Steven Gerrard made a mistake and the team conceded a goal. I think if they had won that match, they would have won the champions title. That year, the team played very powerfully, and those matches, probably, show what the team lacked the most - the smile of fortune. When a person like him, who devoted his entire life to the club and it was clear that it would be his final season... I have no doubt that in the next rounds, they would have scored the necessary points and become champions.
However, the team sometimes lacked better players or a more suitable composition. Unlike other big clubs, Liverpool only later became such a business giant. Manchester United, Chelsea, and other big Premier League clubs managed to achieve it much earlier.
Also, the Liverpool club relied on local coaches for a long time when other teams hired foreign specialists. It can also be said about players from other countries, there were never many foreign players in the "Reds" team, they always tried to rely on their school and players from Great Britain. The Liverpool club never had many foreigners, and you could not really say that it was a constellation of footballers gathered from all European countries.
Perhaps these things hindered the team from winning more titles.
- Last year, the team was coached by Jurgen Klopp, with whom there are great hopes. What is your opinion about the German, and what do you expect from him working at the Liverpool club?
- It's hard to say, it's only his second season at the club, but stability in the team is important. It is very important that the coach has a clear vision, is an authoritative specialist, and can bring discipline and more confidence to the team. From what I've read in the press, a lot of work is done with the players, communication is happening, and the best solutions are sought, so it is certainly pleasing.
Just remember the buzz caused by Klopp's arrival at the Liverpool club - there was a lot of speculation, talk, and discussion about it. Indeed, among the fans of the team, the coach is very positively received. He was very well received, and there are very high hopes associated with him.
- This summer, Liverpool has signed goalkeeper Loris Karius, defenders Joel Matip and Ragnar Klavan, and attacking players Georginio Wijnaldum and Sadio Mane. What is your opinion about the newcomers, and what do you expect from them in the next season?
- I have the most expectations from Wijnaldum and Mane. Last year, Mane achieved the fastest hat-trick in Premier League history, which took him just three minutes, and in the first match against Arsenal, he played very well. Georginio has not fully revealed himself yet, but we can expect that from him in the future. Defenders Matip and Klavan have skills that can strengthen the team, and Karius is a very promising goalkeeper.
I am pleased that the team is being reinforced in target positions they want to strengthen. Players are acquired by looking at the perspective and the future of the team. There is no attempt to buy everything at once and make some kind of revolution in the transfer market, changing half of the team's composition. I think such a transfer policy is very effective and deliberate. At least for me, such team actions in the transfer market are very pleasing.
- After the first three rounds, Liverpool has 4 points in the Premier League. How do you evaluate the start of the season?
- First of all, it is important to note that all three rounds were played away. In the Premier League, away and home matches have a very significant importance. It is not bad to win almost 50 percent of the points while playing away.
I would evaluate the match against Arsenal very positively. Perhaps the match ending with a loss against Burnley was a bit disappointing, but even in those matches, based on the gameplay, in my opinion, Liverpool deserved at least a draw. And the last match ending in a 1-1 draw against Tottenham is a regular result based on the displayed game, which again, was certainly not bad.
Summing it all up, I would evaluate the start positively. The matches were played away, and the points taken against Arsenal, who could be direct competitors in the fight for higher places, are encouraging.
- After three matches in the Premier League, the clubs "Manchester City", "Manchester United", and "Chelsea" have not lost points. In your opinion, will these teams be the main contenders for the title?
- Probably yes, most predict that these will be the main contenders for the title. This was also confirmed by their work in the summer transfer market. Another thing that allows them to be among the favorites - the coaches of these teams. Representatives of the world's elite coaches arrived at these clubs - three coaches who undoubtedly belong to the top ten best coaches today. So, all signs indicate that the main battle should take place among these teams.
But last year's season and the Leicester City's journey show that the Premier League is very unpredictable, strong, and highly competitive. Therefore, it is a bit premature to make conclusions. It is necessary to wait at least until the end of the 7th-8th round, after which, looking at how the teams and the league table look, broader conclusions can be made.
- Speaking of Lithuanian football - a new cycle of World Cup qualification starts on Sunday. What can be expected from the national team in the first matches against Slovenia and throughout this qualification cycle?
- In the match against Slovenia, we all hope for positivity and a positive result. We must believe in the national team and we must support them. We really want the start to be positive and at least not to lose. I believe we can achieve such a result: there are many novelties in the national team, a lot of buzz is created around it, and the players understand their responsibility.
It would be more difficult to talk about the entire qualification cycle. The generational change has taken place and is still ongoing, so it is difficult to evaluate the national team in the long term. However, we must hope that there will be at least a fight and playing against the Lithuanian national team will not be easy for anyone. From the national team, we can only hope for positive things.
Tautvydas Sakalauskas
