Sunday 20 December 2015 13:05, UK
Jurgen Klopp caused a stir on Sunday by encouraging his players to celebrate in front of the Kop following Liverpool's late equaliser against West Brom. The German coach has been criticised, but Adam Bate makes the case for greater fan interaction in the Premier League...
Saturday at Selhurst Park marked the tenth anniversary of the formation of the Holmesdale Fanatics, a group of supporters who've done much to make the atmosphere at Crystal Palace among the best in the country. Their contribution continues to be recognised by key figures at the club.
"Many of them were instrumental in protesting in the days leading up to our takeover in 2010, and helping Lloyds see that this club couldn't be left to die," acknowledged chairman Steve Parish in his programme notes. Alan Pardew expressed similar sentiments.
"They have played a huge role in helping to define Palace in this modern era," said Pardew. That explains why he made a concerted effort to get his players to stride over to applaud that section of supporters after the team's win over Southampton. The response seemed a little underwhelming.
Damien Delaney took the lead, ushering several team-mates in the general direction of the fans behind the goal. But it was an unconvincing herding job. Wilfried Zaha almost got within 40 yards of them, while many others simply bounded off down the tunnel.
Not that the Palace fans will feel slighted. No doubt they are delighted by the performances of their team and, as a result, feel they are getting plenty back from their players. There is community work and it's routine for footballers to thank supporters from the safety of their social media accounts.
But given that the bond between fans and team at Selhurst Park is better than most, it also illustrated the distance that has come to exist as a matter of course - and acted as a prelude to the events at Anfield the following day.
The decision of Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp to indulge in some orchestrated fan interaction on the pitch after Sunday's 2-2 draw with West Brom soon brought about a predictable backlash. How dare he celebrate and drink in the applause of the crowd after an unconvincing draw at home?
Of course, the context was important here. Klopp was thanking supporters for their backing in light of the perceived criticism directed at them when some left early with the team one goal down to Palace last month. For Klopp, the stoppage-time equaliser showed what was possible together.
But his initial criticism and the subsequent derision he has received in some quarters for the scenes upon the final whistle at Anfield remain telling. Palace and Liverpool are among the more passionate fans in England but even at these clubs, it remains rare to witness public displays such as this.
Such interactions are more common-place in Germany and while it would be naïve to believe Klopp has been genuinely shocked by what he's seen in England, it would not be a surprise if he is keen to build something similar at Anfield.
Is there something to be said for embracing this change in culture? Extolling the virtues of the Bundesliga usually extends to issues such as ticket prices, safe standing and fan ownership and it's easy to regard it as a panacea for the perceived ills of the Premier League.
But while some of these matters are complicated, this basic bond forged between fans and players ought to be the simplest to recreate. Instead it is too often treated as though it's impossible - a relic of a bygone era that can never return.
Nostalgia for the days of drinking in the local pub with the players after the game is treated with sepia-tinged reverence. But the match-day experience could still see closer unity and, cynicism aside, the actions of the Liverpool players on Sunday are likely to be lapped up by many on the Kop.
Every fan wants to feel that bond and many crave it more than ever now that wealthy footballers feel increasingly distant. John Paintsil, for example, became something of a cult hero thanks to his habit of celebrating with a lap of honour. It's the sort of act that creates a connection.
In doing so, something special can happen. Fans want their club to win but sometimes this desire is distinct from the team. By forging a genuine bond, supporters want to see the players win too. That can be a powerful force late on in games when so many results are decided.
Moreover, it can bring empathy when things are not going so well. Klopp knows from experience how forgiving the fans were during his final season at Dortmund and the display of support following a home defeat to Hamburg in October 2014 was particularly emotional. It makes a club stronger.
Pardew, who celebrated with supporters on Saturday, knows this. These public displays of affection might feel forced, perhaps even styled as un-British, but Klopp was not celebrating mediocrity. He was celebrating with the fans rather than just in front of them. Surely that's a good thing?
