Liverpool FC - Tottenham Hotspur: My confidence journey

As a huge fan since I was born, and someone who hasn’t had the easiest time at school, what I have experienced has allowed me to build my confidence and realise that professional athletes can actually relate to me.

Earlier this week, I took a trip to AXA Training Centre, with no expectations in mind apart from being excited to seeing the training pitch. My expectations were blown out of the park. As other fans will understand, meeting football players for your team such as Alisson Becker, Jayden Danns and Kostas Tsimikas was beyond anything I could have imagined.

I sat down with each player, and we spoke about challenges both of us encounter in our daily lives. Jayden Danns said to me “If you are willing to put in the hard work now, it will all be worth it in the end”. The fact that Jayden is so young, I thought this was very inspiring as it shows how he has reached his goals at such a young age.

It was also interesting when I met some of the Liverpool FC Women’s team – Ceri Holland, Sophie Roman Haug and Jenna Clark. In a conversation with Ceri Holland, she told me that football was “an escape” which is exactly how I feel about football too. This was really refreshing to know as even the professionals might have bad days.

The atmosphere before every Liverpool game is always electric, however today it was extra special as it is one of Jürgen’s last home games. ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ echoed around Anfield that little bit louder today and the sun was shining setting the tone for the big win we all knew was coming.

When I finally got into the stadium after the much-anticipated build up, I was given one more final surprise. Me and my older brother Ben, who I normally go to football matches with, got taken pitch side where we were able to walk through the tunnel the players walk through and past the famous ‘This is Anfield’ sign. Standing in the same position as the manager on the touchline is a dream come true. I got to see the goalkeepers train in front of me. I really did have to pinch myself.

The game was the icing on the cake to top off a perfect day. It was so exciting, it had me on the edge of my seat for 90 mins. Liverpool had a great start to the game with an early goal from the Egyptian King Mo Salah topped off with a second from Andy Robertson in the 45th minute right on half-time.

We started the second half like we finished the first half, very strongly with a goal inside the first five minutes by Cody Gakpo. Liverpool went from strength to strength as Harvey Elliott made it 4-0 to the Reds after he cut inside on his left and rifled one into the top left corner past the Tottenham keeper. I can remember leaping out of my seat as I saw this one fly into the net - it was an amazing finish.

Tottenham made it a nervy finish after scoring two quick goals in the 72nd and 77th minute, I wasn’t very happy when one of their goals was scored by ex-Evertonian, Richarlison. However, Liverpool held on to claim all three points and top off the perfect day.

If I was in charge of giving out Man of the Match today it would have to go to Harvey Elliott. The Liverpool youngster was fantastic today, constantly winning the ball back for Liverpool and getting them on the front foot along with scoring his wondergoal. It’s great to see one of Liverpool’s youngsters performing so well and getting a chance under Klopp, something he has done so often this year.

I normally struggle when it comes to writing and explaining how I really feel however when completing this match report, I really enjoyed it as I felt I could really express myself as I was talking about the things I love the most which are football and Liverpool Football Club.

This whole experience has been really positive for me and has made me realise that everyone can have bad days, but it is about turning up the next day and not worrying too much about things that I can’t control.