《推薦閲讀:如果丘吉爾領導當下的美國,美國能避免衰落嗎?》
Niall Furgeson /英國歷史學家,哈佛大學歷史系教授. 原文刊載於英國《經濟學人雜誌》8/21
當美國於一片混亂中撤離阿富汗時,它的衰落令人回想起一個世紀前大英帝國的殞落。
一位歷史學家警告:阿富汗只是開始,未來可能會因此導致更大的衝突。
「許多人仍沈浸在無知之中……而他們的領導人為了獲取選票,不敢點醒他們。」
在《集結風暴》(即丘吉爾的《第二次世界大戰回憶錄》的第一卷)一書中,丘吉爾如此描述第一次世界大戰的勝利者:英國。
他痛苦地回憶:「拒絕面對令人不愉快的問題,渴求人民的擁護和選舉勝利,不顧國家的重大利益。」
美國讀者看著他們的政府「丟臉的」離開阿富汗,聽著拜登總統緊張而努力地為他造成的不光彩撤離辯護,可能會發現:丘吉爾戰前針對英國的批評,有一些會令他們心裡不舒服、但卻似曾相識。
借用耶魯大學的歷史學家Paul Kennedy 的一句話,當時英國的精神狀態是整個國家的疲憊和「帝國過度擴張」的產物。
自1914年以來,英國經歷了一次世界大戰和1929年大蕭條,並且在1918至1919年經歷可怕的大流行病——西班牙流感。
財政被堆積如山的債務,壓得喘不過氣來。
儘管英國仍然是全球主要貨幣發行國,但在貨幣方面,它已經不再是當年無可匹敵的角色。高度不平等的英國社會,促使左派政治家要求即使不實行徹底的社會主義,也要進行社會財富和權力的重新分配。
一部分知識分子在這方面走得更遠,他們選擇擁護共產主義甚或法西斯主義。
與此同時,凝固而無法變通的統治階層,傾向於忽略不斷惡化的國際形勢。英國的全球主導地位在歐洲、亞洲和中東都受到威脅。集體安全體系——當時建立在國際聯盟的基礎上,它是1920年戰後和平解決方案成立的國際組織,也正在崩潰,只留下了一個鬆散的聯盟,勉強補足業已離散的帝國影響力。
但結果卻是另一場更大的災難式的失敗:英國人既沒有認識到極權主義威脅規模之大,也沒有積累出阻嚇獨裁者的手段。
英國的教訓,是否有助於我們理解當下美國權力的未來?
美國人更喜歡從美國自己的歷史中吸取教訓,他們很少從他國歷史,看待世界。但將美國與上一任大英帝國的全球霸主對比,或許會為我們帶來更多啓發。因為今天的美國與戰時的英國,在許多方面都很相似。
與任何歷史類比一樣,這樣的類比當然也有缺陷。英國在20世紀30年代統治了廣闊的殖民地和其他附屬國,今天的美國卻沒有相同的統治區域。
這一點使得美國人在自我認知上認為美國並非一個帝國,即使他們的士兵和公民在阿富汗駐紮了20年才撤退:他們依舊如此認為。
儘管美國的新冠病毒死亡率很高,但也並沒有嚴重到英國在第一次世界大戰中所經歷的那種受創傷的程度。當時英國有大量的年輕人被流感屠殺(近90萬人死亡,15至49歲的男性中,佔了大約6%,至少170萬感染者)。美國如今面臨的威脅也不像納粹德國對英國造成的威脅那樣明顯而迫切。
不過,某些相似之處還是很驚人,而且這兩個國家在阿富汗強行建立自己相信的價值秩序,都相繼失敗了。
早在1930年2月,在「過早的」現代化改革引發了一場叛亂之後,《經濟學人》雜誌已指出:「很明顯,阿富汗不會採用西方的東西。」
近幾十年來,預測美國衰落的書和文章已經太多了,以至於「衰落主義」已經成為一種陳腔濫調。
但英國在20世紀30年代和50年代之間的經歷提醒我們,還有比溫和的、漸進式的衰退更糟糕的命運。
《以金錢為導向的價值觀》
我們從堆積如山的債務開始談起。
第一次世界大戰後,英國的公共債務從1918年佔GDP的109%,上升到1934年略低於200%。而美國的聯邦債務與英國雖有所不同,但在規模上是可以比較的。如今她的債務達到國內生產總值GDP近110%,甚至高於第二次世界大戰後不久前一個高峰。
美國國會預算辦公室估計,到2051年,它可能超過200%。
當今的美國與大約一個世紀前的英國有一個重要區別,美國聯邦債務的平均期限相當短(65個月),而英國超過40%的公共債務採取的是永久債券或年金的形式。這意味著,今天的美國債務對利率的變化,要比當初的英國危險且敏感得多。
另一個關鍵差異是財政和貨幣理論的巨大轉變,這很大程度上正是凱恩斯對英國戰時政策的建議。
1925年,英國決定以戰前過高的價格將英鎊回歸金本位,這使英國陷入了長達八年的通貨緊縮。工會權力的增加意味著大蕭條期間,工資的削減落後於物價的削減,這導致了就業機會減少。
在1932年的低谷期,英國失業率為15%。然而,英國的大蕭條主要還是因為英國在1931年放棄了金本位制,這使得貨幣政策得以放寬。實際利率的下降意味著償債負擔的減輕,為英國財政創造了新的迴旋餘地。
在未來幾年,美國似乎不太可能出現這種償債成本的下降。以美國前任財政部長勞倫斯·薩默斯Lawrence Summmers為首的經濟學家預測,當前美國的財政和貨政策,將導致通貨膨脹的危險。
英國的實際利率在20世紀30年代普遍下降,而美國的實際利率預計將從2027年開始轉為正數,並穩步上升,到本世紀中期達到2.5%。當然對利率上升的預測,往往是錯誤的,而且美國聯準不急於收緊貨幣政策。但是,如果利率真的上升,美國的債務將需要更多的成本來償還,擠壓聯邦預算的其他支出,特別是國防等可容易調整的支出。
這將問題的關鍵,擺在我們面前了。
丘吉爾在20世紀30年代最關心的問題是:政府在拖延時間——這是英國綏靖政策的基本原理——而不是積極地重新武裝英國軍隊,以應對希特勒、墨索里尼和日本帝國主義政府越來越多的侵略行為。丘吉爾反對英國綏靖主義者另一個關鍵論點是,財政和經濟方面的限制——特別是管理一個覆蓋斐濟、岡比亞、圭亞那、溫哥華的帝國,其高額成本使得快速重新武裝英國,變得不再可能。
稱美國今天面臨著類似的威脅——不僅是來自中國,還有來自俄羅斯、伊朗和朝鮮的威脅——這可能顯得異想天開。
然而,僅僅是這一事實,就說明問題所在。
大多數美國人,就像二戰之前的大多數英國人一樣,根本不想考慮在國家已有大量債務下,如何面對希特勒正在發動一場重大戰爭。
如今的美國也正在走向相同的道路。預計美國國防開支佔國內生產總值的比例將從2020年的3.4%下降到2031年的2.5%。
這會引起丘吉爾主義者的驚愕。他們也將會經歷相同的敵意和指責——如同當年譴責丘吉爾在煽動戰爭一樣。
《力量是相對的》
美國與其他國家相比的相對衰退,和當初的英國另一個相似點:經濟史學家安格斯·麥迪遜估計,到20世紀30年代,英國經濟產值不僅被美國(早在1872年)超越,而且還被德國(第一次在1898年,在經歷了災難性的戰爭、惡性通貨膨脹和不景氣的年代後,於1935年再次被超越)和蘇聯(1930年)超越。
大英帝國作為一個整體,其經濟規模比英國大,特別是如果把各殖民地包括在內的話,也許是其兩倍大。但美國的經濟規模更大,儘管大蕭條對美國的影響更嚴重,美國的經濟體量,仍然是英國的兩倍多。
今天的美國也面臨著類似的經濟產值相對下降的問題。按照購買力平價法,考慮許多中國國內商品的價格更低,中國GDP在2014年已趕上了美國。按當前美元計算,美國經濟體量仍然更大,但預計兩國的差距將會縮小。今年,中國的美元GDP會是美國的75%左右,到了2026年,則將達到89%。
中國給美國帶來的經濟挑戰比蘇聯曾經帶來的更大。這不是什麼秘密,因為蘇聯的經濟規模在冷戰期間從未超過美國的44%。
在許多運用於國家安全應用的技術領域,從人工智能到量子計算,中國正在努力追趕美國,這也不是什麼機密消息了。中國領導人的雄心壯志也是眾所周知的。
這五年來,美國對中國政府的好感明顯轉變為負面。即便如此,公眾對於應對來自中國的軍事威脅也沒有多大的熱情。如果中國攻打台灣,大多數美國人可能會與英國首相張伯倫的觀點一致,他曾臭名昭地將德國在1938年分割捷克斯洛伐克的行動描述為「遙遠國家的爭吵,而我們對爭吵的雙方都一無所知」。
在兩次大戰之間,英國態度軟弱的一個關鍵原因是知識分子對帝國的反抗,以及更普遍的對英國傳統價值觀的反抗。
丘吉爾厭惡地回憶起1933年牛津大學辯論社在辯論中提出的動議:「我們拒絕為國王和國家而戰」。他指出:「在英國,人們一般會對這樣一個插曲一笑置之,但在德國、俄羅斯、義大利和日本,他們會有英國已經變得腐朽墮落了的根深蒂固的想法,這種想法也動搖了許多人的盤算。」
當然,這也正是如今中國新一代「戰狼」外交官和民族主義知識分子對美國的看法。
納粹、法西斯和共產主義者都認為英國人對自己充滿了憎惡。「我甚至不知道大英帝國正在消亡,」喬治·奧威爾在他的文章《獵象記》中記錄了他作為殖民地警察的時光。沒有多少知識分子能有奧威爾這樣的洞見,認為英國仍然是「瘦死的駱駝比馬大」。許多人——不像奧威爾——他們選擇了信仰蘇聯共產主義,他們為西方國家的情報部門帶來了災難性的後果。與此同時,令人震驚的是,大量上流社會的貴族精英還被希特勒吸引。甚至《每日快報》的讀者,也樂於取笑而非讚頌大英帝國。
《帝國的終結》
美利堅帝國不像曾經的大英帝國一樣有英聯邦自治領地、殖民地和受保護國,但它現在所處的國際主導地位,以及過度擴張帶來的代價,完全與大英帝國相似。
現在美國的左翼和右翼都習慣性地嘲笑或謾罵美國帝國主義的計劃。《國家》雜誌的記者湯姆·恩格爾哈特(Tom Engelhardt)幸災樂禍地說:「美利堅帝國正在崩潰。」
對於右翼來說,經濟學家泰勒·考恩(Tyler Cowen)譏諷地想像著「美利堅帝國的衰落會是什麼樣子」。:
與此同時,進步的非裔美國哲學家康奈爾·韋斯特(Cornel West)認為「‘黑人的命也是命’與反對美利堅帝國的抗爭殊途同歸」,還有兩位支持川普的共和黨人瑞安·詹姆斯·吉爾·杜斯基(Ryan James Gir dusky)和哈倫·希爾(Harlan Hill)認為最近的新冠疫情揭露了「美國其實穿著皇帝的新裝」。
右翼仍然捍衛著美利堅共和國建國的傳統:與此相反,「覺醒」的左翼則試圖將美國歷史改寫為充斥著奴隸制和種族隔離的血淚史。但政治光譜中的任何一方都沒有多少人渴望回到上世紀40年代開始,美國扮演全球霸權時代。
簡而言之,就像20世紀30年代的英國人一樣,21世紀20年代的美國人已不熱衷於帝國主義——中國的觀察人士注意到了這一現象,並對此津津樂道。
然而,帝國仍然存在。
美國幾乎沒有多少真正意義上的的殖民地:只有加勒比海的波多黎各和美屬維爾京群島、北太平洋的關島和北馬里亞納群島,以及南太平洋的美屬薩摩亞。按照英國人的標準,這些殖民地根本不值一提。然而,美國與曾經的大英帝國一樣,軍隊遍布全球,無處不在。美國的武裝部隊人員在150多個國家都有部署,駐外軍隊總人數約為20萬人。
承擔如此廣泛的全球責任並非易事。但是,要想擺脫他們同樣不容易。
英國人為此吃過苦頭,美國人則要吸取英國人的教訓。
拜登決定從阿富汗進行「最後的撤軍」被認為是不明智的,這說明了美國想要減少其在海外所承擔的責任,並不容易。
歐巴馬曾經也做出了類似的從伊拉克撤退的決定,並於2013年宣佈「美國不是世界警察」。
川普的「美國優先」(American First)原則只是同一種衝動的民粹主義的版本:他太渴望離開阿富汗,並以關稅取代「反恐支出」。
在阿富汗發生的撤軍災難完美的說明,想要放棄對全球的主導權,這個過程是不太可能和平度過的。不管用何種措辭,宣佈放棄這場歷時最長的戰爭,就是承認失敗。
這不僅僅對塔利班,是他們的勝利。
中國也在密切關注,畢竟中國與阿富汗也有一段狹小的接壤土地。俄羅斯也在幸災樂禍的作壁上觀。
就在歐巴馬宣佈放棄做世界警察的幾個月後,俄羅斯立刻就對烏克蘭和敘利亞進行了軍事干預。
這並非巧合。
拜登相信美國可以像之前從越南撤軍、擺脫越南這個泥淖一樣從阿富汗撤軍。
越戰是段不光彩的歷史,美國在越南受到的屈辱確實產生了後果。它為蘇聯及其盟國以可趁之機,在其他地方製造了麻煩——包括非洲南部和東部、中美洲以及蘇聯於1979年入侵了阿富汗。
於是我們可以推論在喀布爾重演西貢當年的淪陷,未來也將產生類似的不良影響。
即便新保守主義在2003年入侵伊拉克後抬頭,狂妄自大到了頂峰的時候,美利堅帝國的終結也不難預見。
我在《巨人:美利堅帝國的興衰》一書中首次提出,當時美國的全球地位至少存在四個根本性的弱點:一是人力赤字(很少有美國人願意在像阿富汗和伊拉克這樣的地方長時間工作);二是財政赤字(見上文);三是關注度不夠(選民在大約四年後就對任何大規模干預失去了興趣);四是歷史視角的缺失(決策者不願從前任那裡汲取經驗教訓,更不願意從其他國家吸取經驗教訓)。
但是曾經的大英帝國從來沒有這些事件。
另一個不同之處在於——這比財政赤字要深刻得多——是美國的負國際投資(NIIP),它佔GDP的比例是-70 %。
負的國際投資本質上意味著外國人對美國資產的所有權,超過了美國人對外國資產的所有權。相比之下,在兩次世界大戰期間,英國儘管有大量的海外資產被清算以資助一次世界大戰,但它仍然有著龐大的正國際投資。從1922年到1936年,它一直保持在GDP的100%以上:到1947年才下降到3%。
拋售剩餘的帝國白銀(準確的說,是迫使英國投資者拋售海外資產,交出美元)是英國為二戰買單的一種方式。
但是美國作為一個債務大國,並沒有與之對等的儲備金。只有通過更多的公債出售給外國人,美國才能負擔得起維持其世界霸主地位的成本。
這對於維持其超級大國的地位而言,實在太不穩定了。
《丘吉爾:「我當首相不是為了主持大英帝國的葬禮」》
丘吉爾在《集結風暴》中的論點並不是在借德國、義大利和日本的崛起這一不可阻擋的進程來譴責英國的衰落。相反,他堅持認為,如果西方民主國家在1930年代早些時候採取更果斷的行動,戰爭本來可以避免。
當小羅斯福總統問丘吉爾這場戰爭應該叫什麼時,丘吉爾立刻回答說:「不必要的戰爭。」
同樣的道理,中國的崛起也並非不可阻擋,更不用說俄羅斯了。從朝鮮到委內瑞拉,所有與他們結盟的小國都是經濟上的弱國。中國人口老齡化的速度比預期的還要快,勞動力正在萎縮。
居高不下的公營及私營部門債務正在拖累經濟增長。它也可能在氣候危機中,首當其衝,因為它無法輕易改掉依賴煤炭,作為工業能源的現象。
然而,一系列事件的發展又很容易導致另一場不必要的戰爭。
最有可能是在台灣問題上爆發。
中國要統一台灣,而美國模糊地承諾要防禦中國——隨著東亞地區軍事力量平衡的轉變,這種承諾越來越缺乏可信度。
美國航母越來越難招架中國的東風-21D等反艦彈道導彈,而這還只是美國國防部無法解決的問題之一。
如果美國的威懾失敗,習近平發動突然襲擊,美國將面臨更嚴峻的選擇,要不然打一場漫長而艱苦的戰爭——就像英國在1914年和1939年所做的那樣——要不然就像1956年蘇伊士運河事件那樣,直接認輸。
丘吉爾說他寫《集結風暴》是為了表明:
邪惡者的惡意如何因善良者的軟弱而愈發猖狂;民主國家的結構和習慣為何——除非與更大的有機體結合在一起——會缺乏為卑微大眾提供安全感的毅力和信念;甚至在自我保護的問題上……謹慎和克制的忠告反而會帶來致命的危險……以及因為渴望安全和平靜的生活,而採取的中庸之道,可能會直接導向災難的中心。
他用一句精辟的格言作為這卷書的結束語:「事實勝於幻想。」
近年來,美國領導人過度熱衷於幻想了,譬如小布希領導下新保守主義者「全面統治」的幻想,還有川普想像出的美國「大屠殺」的黑暗噩夢。
隨著另一場集結風暴的到來,也許是時候面對現實了。
丘吉爾看透了這一點:帝國的終結很難不伴隨著陣痛。
——圖片:美國運輸機撤離阿富汗難民、美國最後離開的軍事領袖、拜登在白宮發表演說
韋 特 張伯倫 在 Kelena 杰寧 Facebook 的最讚貼文
利迷之間瘋傳嘅超長文,感謝呢位師兄譯得咁傳神!睇到好激動!睇完更加覺得利迷可以有高普帶領球隊係全世界最幸福嘅球迷。
記得因為古仔單嘢,有好多對球會批評嘅聲音同不利嘅傳聞,令到球會上下都好大壓力。報導入面有句咁講:「高普其中一樣天賦就係對人嘅信任」,作為球迷,我會學習高普,選擇相信,無論係邊一個崗位,大家都要團結一致,支持利物浦再創新高峰。
https://www.facebook.com/groups/OLSCHKSAR/permalink/10156466140299828/
最近有篇超長文講高普,唔想睇英文又唔想Google Translate?冇問題,今次有母語翻譯!每句英粵對照,唔想睇英文嘅就Skip嚟睇啦
警告:內含粗口,對粗口過敏者請按"上一頁"
[母語翻譯]
From Hong Kong to Kiev:
At the end of the storm,
there's a golden sky...
由香港到基輔:
暴雨過後 總有晴天
The inside story of how Jurgen Klopp
weathered the worst to lead Liverpool
into the Champions League final
究竟高普點樣帶住利物浦捱過風浪殺入歐聯決賽
By Melissa Reddy
"And now, we will go to Kiev. It sounds crazy, but it's true."
“我哋嚟緊就去基輔。聽起嚟痴撚線,但係真㗎。“
The downpours, pelting over Kowloon as though they were bullets from above, had finally subsided. For Liverpool, however, this was the inception of the storm.
嚟香港踢波先落狗屎,唔同連個天都唔鍾意我。但原來對利物浦嚟講,果日只係惡夢嘅開始。
Before the sun could fully crack through the scattered clouds that Friday morning in Hong Kong last July 21st, Jurgen Klopp’s phone screen was crowded with notifications from sporting director, Michael Edwards, and Fenway Sports Group president, Mike Gordon.
舊年7月21號,打鑼咁早,身在香港嘅高普部電話已經畀體育總監Michael Edwards同FSG總裁Mike Gordon嘅message震爆咗。
The news being broken to the manager - the club had instantly rejected a £72 million bid from Barcelona for Philippe Coutinho - was yesterday’s back-page buffet in the United Kingdom courtesy of the seven-hour time difference.
喺高普同隊波仲瞓緊覺果時,球會已經拒絕咗巴塞羅拿對古天奴7200萬鎊嘅開價。
Klopp’s designs for the pre-season tour had already been scaled back due to monsoon conditions that prompted cancelled training sessions and improvised workouts.
高普嘅季前熱身計劃本身已經畀香港嘅天氣打亂咗,原有嘅訓練只可以改為體能訓練。
It was this development, though, which had the potential to cyclone through their preparations for 2017-18.
但呢鑊就真係堅,隨時將成季嘅部署打亂晒。
Liverpool could not have been more unambiguous in their response to the offer: there would be no summer sale, regardless of how much the fee shot up.
利物浦嘅官方回應好堅定:無論幾多錢,今個夏天都唔會賣。
Undisguised, too, was the fact La Liga’s giants would return armed with a traditional media offensive that would pack more of a punch than their improved proposals.
而另一方面,更加肯定嘅係,呢支西甲班霸唔會就咁放棄,佢哋媒體喉舌嘅攻勢比起佢哋嘅叫價更加凌厲。
The only variable surrounded the focal point. What was Coutinho, who had signed a new five-year deal without a release clause that January, thinking?
唯一唔肯定嘅係,究竟啱啱喺1月簽咗5年約嘅古天奴點諗呢?
As Klopp entered the private assembly room for breakfast at the palatial Ritz-Carlton, the answer immediately presented itself. The 25-year-old, inner turmoil tinting his facial features, was on edge with “an instant difference in his body language,” according to observers.
當高普行入香港Ritz-Carlton酒店準備畀球隊食早餐果間房嘅時候,即刻明晒。古天奴嘅面部表情同身體語言都話畀大家知,佢心入面十五十六。
So this was a problem. Klopp walked over to Coutinho to schedule a talk for that evening, when they had an honest and respectful exchange.
呢個係一個問題。高普同古天奴講,約定傍晚攤牌講清楚。
Liverpool could not simply delete their plans for the season on account of Barcelona being unprepared for the loss of Neymar to Paris Saint-Germain, the Reds boss explained.
高普話,巴塞羅拿戇鳩鳩畀尼馬走咗去巴黎聖日耳門,唔代表利物浦就要跟住一齊柒㗎嘛。
It was a point he circled back to, while also emphasising that the timing was wrong, as was the message it would send about the club.
高普不停重複呢一點,佢仲提到, 呢刻賣人時機錯晒,而且外界會點樣睇利物浦呢?
Coutinho understood that, but highlighted the sacrifices his wife, Aine, and parents had made for his career. The future revolved around them as much as it did his own ambitions.
古天奴好明白,但佢提到佢老婆Aine同埋佢父母已經為佢嘅職業犧牲好多。諗將來嘅時候佢除咗考慮自己嘅目標,亦都要考慮屋企人。
He was happy at Liverpool, he loved the club, he was full of gratitude… But this was Barcelona. And beyond that, it represented a lifestyle change for his family, who could function within a culture so much closer to their own.
佢喺利物浦好開心。佢好鍾意隊波,亦都心存感激。但係,果隊係巴塞喎。除此之外,轉會仲代表生活上重大嘅轉變,搬去果邊嘅文化會更加適合佢屋企。
Klopp acknowledged Coutinho’s thought process, but repeated that it was about Liverpool and this was not the right thing for the club, for his teammates, or for their season ambitions.
高普好明白古天奴嘅思路,但佢再次強調,呢個係利物浦嘅問題,呢個對隊波唔係好事,對班波同對佢哋今季嘅大計都唔係好事。
The message was reinforced privately by Edwards and the ownership before a public declaration.
喺發出官方聲明之前,Edwards同老闆都分別私底下向古天奴重申呢幾點。
/“We wish to offer clarity as regards our position on a possible transfer of Philippe Coutinho,” read a statement on the club’s official website on August 11 2017, which highlighted their “definitive stance is that no offers for Philippe will be considered and he will remain a member of Liverpool FC when the summer window closes.”
“我們特此重申有關古天奴轉會一事之立場” 球會於2017年8月11日發出官方聲明“任何對古天奴的開價均不會被考慮,他於夏季轉會窗關閉時將繼續是利物浦的一員”/
Through the clinking glasses and guffaws, there is thick blend of relief and defiance daubing the atmosphere in the Freshfield area of Formby.
利物浦附近嘅一個小鎮 Formby 充斥住杯碟聲同埋歡笑聲。
It is Saturday, January 6 2018, where a long-scheduled New Year’s celebration for Liverpool’s staff at the Klopp residence has coincided with the £142m sale of Coutinho to Barcelona.
今年1月6號星期六,成班利物浦嘅職球員喺高普屋企開緊Party。無獨有偶,球會啱啱公佈古天奴將會以1億4200萬鎊身價加盟巴塞。
The news had been released shortly before the flow of Monkey 47 gin and a catalogue of German lager at the gathering, with the message following the announcement on the club’s official website entirely scripted by the manager.
呢個消息都係喺佢地呢個不醉無歸嘅聚會之前無耐公佈,而呢篇球會嘅官方聲明其實係出自高普手筆。
/“Players will come and players will go, that is football, but as a club we are big enough and strong enough to continue with our aggressive progression on the pitch, even when we lose an important player. We have never been in a better position in recent times, as a club, to react in the right way. We will use our size and strength to absorb moments like this and still move forward.”
“有出先有入,足球係咁㗎啦。但我哋作為一間球會,即使無咗一個重要嘅球員,都應該夠堅強喺球場上繼續拼搏。我哋而家處於近年嚟最好嘅時間去應對呢個轉變,我哋應該夠強大去適應然後繼續向前。”/
That night, as the spine of the football staff and their partners made his home their own, Klopp may as well have had the words inked on his appearance.
果晚,當球員帶埋佢地嘅另一半去到高普屋企嘅時候,大家都睇得出高普嘅心情寫晒喺塊面度。
The party, defined as “symbolic” and “powerful” had an element of toasting to Coutinho’s contribution at Liverpool, but at the same time, there was a sense of middle fingers flying in the direction of the doom decorating his departure.
有人事後形容果晚嘅派對好有象徵意義同力量。個Party其實亦都係為咗感謝古天奴對球隊嘅貢獻,但同時似乎大家都對佢嘅離開暗地裡媽聲四起。
Whatever followed, those present felt they were in this together. They believed in each other, in the roster, that the addition of Virgil van Dijk would make Liverpool stronger, that there was more than enough snarl as a collective to continue on an upward trajectory.
無論如何,出席嘅球員都感覺到大家喺同一條船。佢哋相信大家,而且相信雲迪克加盟之後隊波會更加強大,越踢越好。
That Klopp, above all, subscribed so religiously to this thinking translated into others sharing his conviction.
而高普就不斷將呢個信念向成班波洗腦。
Liverpool would not just be fine, Liverpool would be fucking flying.
利物浦唔只會掂,仲要係好撚掂。
Klopp was a portrait of confidence and composure, but the previous five months had been stressful for the former Borussia Dortmund trainer.
高普一直係自信同冷靜嘅化身。但過去5個月,呢位前多蒙特嘅領隊承受住好大壓力。
It went against his entire nature, heavily built around empathy, to see a player so sewn in distress. He treasured Coutinho professionally as well as personally and agonised over what the saga was doing to the Brazil international.
呢個同佢嘅天性相反。佢對古天奴受嘅巨大壓力充滿住同情,而且佢喺個人同足球層面都好欣賞古天奴,對於佢喺呢場轉會風波入面所受嘅折磨亦感同身受。
Klopp imagined what it was like for him at home. He was torn by the impact it was potentially having on his wife and young daughter.
高普曾經想像如果係佢自己,佢老婆同咁細個嘅女所受嘅影響,佢感到更加痛苦。
The manager knew how he'd feel if one of his own kids were going through that situation, or if his partner was being affected by it.
佢好明白如果係佢嘅仔女面對咁嘅情況,或者係佢老婆受到嘅影響會係幾咁大。
Part of Klopp’s weaponry is sagacity, drilling deep to appreciate what drives those that line up under him or work alongside him.
高普其中一個強項就係佢嘅睿智。佢識得深入了解幫佢做嘢嘅人,佢哋嘅動力來源係乜嘢。
That he knew Coutinho, who is quite sensitive and counts his family as his axis, was cheerless made him so too.
而佢知道,古天奴係一個多愁善感嘅人。佢嘅屋企人就係佢嘅世界,而呢點亦係點解佢咁唔開心。
The 50-year-old is often cast as the centrepiece, revelling in attention. He is charismatic, and so is more than comfortable getting on the dance floor or grabbing the mic to create a rhapsodic environment.
呢位50歲嘅教頭經常都成為大家嘅焦點。佢好有魅力,而且好擅長製造開心熱鬧嘅環境氣氛。
But those who know him best insist Klopp is happiest sitting off and shining the spotlight on the ones he cares about having a good time.
但熟悉佢嘅人會知道,其實佢最鍾意嘅係坐埋一邊,睇住佢珍重嘅人做返主角接受群眾嘅目光。
He loves witnessing the initiation tradition of a player singing a song in front of all his teammates.
佢好鍾意一個傳統,就係叫一個球員喺隊友面前唱歌。
He adores the environment the squad have carved between themselves and the way they have married the serious (a strict fine system) with the humorous - Dejan Lovren’s ‘gaffer’ social media undressing stands out after he revealed his Champions League half-time rallying call at Manchester City.
佢好喜歡球隊嘅氣氛,可以將嚴肅(嚴格嘅罰款制度)同幽默結合,例如路夫蘭就喺社交媒體同球迷分享佢喺對曼城果場波半場休息嘅時候做更衣室大佬嘅事。
Klopp can also spend hours on YouTube watching videos of joyous supporters and has noted multiple times this season that watching the crowd develop and truly connect with the team has been special.
高普亦都好鍾意上YouTube睇球迷嘅片。佢多次提到睇住球迷真正同球隊連結埋一齊嘅感覺好特別。
So to view the opposite - to see sadness plague Coutinho - was piercing.
相反,睇住古天奴所受嘅折磨,亦令高普無比痛苦。
As such, if the decision was solely Klopp’s to make, the No.10’s switch to Spain would have been sanctioned before the start of 2017-18.
正因為咁,如果畀高普話晒事,佢開季前就會將古天奴賣去西班牙。
Never thinking he is always right, and knowing what he personally felt was trivial when juxtaposed with the full picture, the German supported the reasoning of Edwards, Gordon and the ownership in general.
高普唔係一個覺得自覺永遠啱嘅人。佢知道自己嘅感覺都係好表面嘅,當佢將成個大局擺喺眼前,佢都同意Edwards,Gordon同老闆嘅諗法。
It did not make sense then, that when the only route available for Coutinho to secure an exit was to go antagonist, his camp targeted the manager in their press onslaught, which only hardened FSG’s stance.
離奇嘅係,當時古天奴一方要離隊嘅唯一可能性就只能夠擺爛個款,而佢哋嘅陣營竟然以高普作為攻擊對象,咁樣結果只係加強咗FSG唔賣嘅決心。
Klopp hid it well, but the falsehoods over his relationship with Liverpool’s “genius,” plus the player’s manufactured unhappiness at the club did hurt - especially as he continued to publicly fight his corner.
雖然高普無表現出嚟,但果啲關於佢同古天奴關係惡劣嘅流言同埋古天奴為球隊帶嚟嘅唔開心,的確係傷害咗高普,特別係高普仲要出嚟喺公眾面前辯護。
Coutinho’s performances post the saga, especially on the continent, may have been seen as a fait accompli, but to get him to feature in the Champions League at all was an achievement.
古天奴喺呢次事件後嘅表現,尤其喺歐聯賽場,有目共睹。但派佢喺歐聯出場呢件事本身就已經唔簡單。
When it became apparent there was absolutely no twisting of Liverpool’s arm, the threat of not representing the club in Europe was still strongly being advocated by his advisors.
當知道利物浦嘅立場非常堅定之後,古天奴嘅軍師就極力主張古天奴拒絕喺歐聯上陣。
Gordon and Edwards toiled to surgically remove that and Klopp began reintegrating Coutinho, a process made simpler by his protection of the wantaway star.
Gordon同Edwards好辛苦咁解決咗呢個問題,高普亦重新將古天奴擺返入球隊嘅戰術體制入面,而高普千方百計咁喺公眾面前保護古天奴亦都令呢件事更加容易。
Despite the heckling and suspicious inverted commas each time the ‘back injury’ that sidelined the midfielder in August was mentioned, Klopp never deviated from his line - even when the issue was “only emotional” according to Brazil’s doctor during an international break.
雖然8月嘅時候,古天奴因“背傷”的確惹嚟唔少懷疑,即使巴西軍醫都話佢嘅背傷只係情緒問題,但高普始終如一支持球員。
Squad harmony and ensuring there were no further hiccups to the start of the season was paramount for Klopp - he did not mind being the subject of ridicule, which drew mass respect from the dressing room.
球隊嘅和諧對高普嚟講最為重要。佢唔介意成為事情嘅主角,咁就可以令傳媒嘅焦點離開更衣室。
10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1…
Happy New Year!
新年快樂!
2018 had only just ticked in, but it entered with the same complexity and concern Liverpool had enjoyed a temporary break from.
2018年啱啱開始,同時標誌住呢個困擾住利物浦嘅問題喺短暫嘅休息之後又再出現。
Barcelona were not so much knocking on the door as they were smashing through it. Coutinho’s desire to leave had not diminished despite his excellence behind a supreme frontline and the club preparing for their first Champions League knockout fixture since 2009.
巴塞羅拿今次唔只係敲門,可以講係撞門。雖然古天奴上半季留喺利物浦表現出色,而球隊亦自2009年以嚟第一次打入歐聯淘汰賽,但佢離隊嘅慾望並無消失。
Liverpool did not want a repeat of the upheaval of the summer, but conversely, neither did they want to cede the Brazilian during such a positive juncture.
利物浦唔想重演上個夏天嘅劇情,但另一方面亦唔想喺呢個重要關頭失去古天奴。
Against the tide, they attempted to persuade him to stay until the end of the season on very lucrative terms - a deal now effective later. However, there was no budging from Barca’s end nor his: Coutinho had been on Merseyside for five years and he was adamant: it was time to say goodbye.
利物浦嘗試挽留古天奴,以先簽約後離隊嘅方式留到季尾。但無論巴塞定係古天奴都寸步不讓:佢已經喺度踢咗5年,佢非常堅決係時候離隊。
As the days ticked on and the eventuality of a sale became more pronounced, Gordon was hugely concerned that the uplifting tone around the club would morph into one of unrest. He was insistent that any abuse should be funnelled towards him and the ownership, shielding Klopp and the squad from toxicity.
當轉會勢在必行,Gordon非常擔心咁樣會為一切都穩步上揚嘅球隊帶嚟負面影響。佢堅持所有外界嘅責難都應該由佢同董事會承擔,高普同球員唔應該受到牽連。
Through this period, though, there was no calmer person at Melwood than the manager and there was no way he wouldn’t front up.
喺呢段期間,成個Melwood無人比高普更加冷靜,亦都無人可以阻止佢對住傳媒頂硬上。
Klopp demanded that everyone relax, that this was just a football transfer, and so they should treat it as such and nothing more.
高普要求所有球員保持放鬆,呢單只係普通嘅足球轉會,大家唔需要諗太多,
If Liverpool did not want any drama around it, then it was imperative that they did not create a spectacle themselves.
如果利物浦唔想事情繼續發酵,佢哋首先就要唔好自己製造新嘅話題。
It was a transaction, not a tombstone for the Reds’ season.
呢單只係一單普通嘅交易,隊波嘅球季仲未完嘅。
The most significant factor was how the squad would react to the development. The Magician was loved by his peers, but additionally, there had been an episode that played on Klopp’s mind.
最重要嘅係隊波點樣面對呢個轉變。隊友都好鍾意古天奴,而有件事喺高普心入面揮之不去。
One August afternoon, a desperate Coutinho approached the senior players’ committee and pencilled in a talk in one of the meeting rooms on Melwood’s ground tier.
早喺8月嘅時候,有一日古天奴喺Melwood一間會議室入面同球隊嘅“一隊球員委員會”開會。
He appealed to them to change the club’s mind, and while he knew the squad wanted him to stay, he also figured fellow professionals would recognise why he felt this was a ‘dream step’ that was critical to take.
佢希望球會可以改變決定。佢知道球隊希望佢留低,但佢亦深信隊友會明白佢為夢想而行嘅呢一步。
For all the chicanery that occurred during the summer window, it was the folding of his teammates into the fuss that most annoyed Klopp.
而最令高普擔憂嘅係其他隊友焦急嘅心情。
So when the deal was done and Coutinho was off, the manager rounded up the full group in the dressing room at the training complex and delivered an incisive address.
當轉會已成定局,高普召集所有球員,喺訓練場嘅更衣室向佢哋訓話。
The message was that they'd lost a great player and a friend, but it was no more than that. He told them to not give anyone on the outside a chance to say that Phil going has affected their season.
高普最主要嘅訊息係,佢哋係喪失咗一個好球員,但亦只係少咗一個好球員咁大把。最重要嘅係唔好畀外面嘅人有任何機會話古天奴嘅離開影響咗我哋嘅球季。
Klopp mentioned that the scrutiny would increase, but he didn't believe it would hamper Liverpool in a negative way. It was important for the team to believe the same, because if they allowed his exit to be an excuse, Liverpool were weak.
高普話佢相信出面嘅批評會越嚟越多,但佢唔覺得球隊會受到任何負面影響。隊波一定要有呢個信念,呢樣係好重要,否則如果球隊畀呢樣嘢成為藉口,咁利物浦就太軟弱。
He reminded his players they could decide whether people said their collective genius had walked out the door with Coutinho.
高普提醒球員,佢哋有能力話畀全世界知道,佢哋加埋嘅力量係咪都畀古天奴一個拎走晒。
/"This is us. On we go."
丟那媽 頂硬上/
Liverpool had anticipated a thunderstorm, and when the whistle for the interval went at the Etihad, they were relieved for the respite from Manchester City’s electric onslaught.
利物浦預咗場波會好難踢,而當半場嘅哨子聲響起嘅時候,佢哋即刻鬆一口氣,可以暫時忘記曼城喺主場瘋狂嘅攻勢。
The scoreline was only 1-0 to Pep Guardiola’s men on the night, and still 3-1 to the visitors on aggregate in the Champions League quarter-finals, but those first 45 minutes were punishing.
比數只係1-0,對於作客嘅利物浦嚟講兩回合計仲係領先緊3-1。但呢45分鐘嘅歐聯八強可以話係一種折磨。
Klopp’s half-time routine is consistent home and away. He speeds from the touchline to the dressing room, takes off his jacket and convenes with assistant coach Peter Krawietz, who has selected crucial in-match clips along with analysts Harrison Kingston and Mark Leyland.
高普每次嘅半場休息都係一樣,主場同作客都係。佢會由球場跑入更衣室,除咗件外套,集合埋已經剪好咗上半場精華嘅助教Peter Krawietz,同埋兩位分析員,Harrison Kingston 同 Mark Leyland。
The footage they slice is never usually of a goal being conceded or scored, but examples of how to avoid the former or ensure the latter by highlighting the positioning of the defensive line or where the best offensive spaces are.
佢哋揀嘅片通常都唔係重溫失波或者入波,而係講解防線嘅企位點樣防止失波,同埋點樣利用進攻嘅空位爭取入波。
At City, there was a deviation. Lovren had been shouting, telling the team to ‘wake up,’ that they weren’t showing enough belief and were allowing Kevin De Bruyne and co to do as they please.
而今次嚟到曼城,情況有啲唔同。路夫蘭大聲喝醒班隊友,話佢哋信心唔夠同埋畀迪布尼太多空位。
Klopp pounced on this as the perfect opening for his own message and so he broke away from his normal process, allowing the centre-back to speak for just under a minute before then commanding the room.
高普覺得呢個會係一個好好嘅開場白,所以佢畀咗大概1分鐘路夫蘭講佢要講嘅嘢。
He started by agreeing with the Croatian, before pointing at Lovren and Van Dijk, saying they were killing the team by being too deep.
之後輪到高普,佢首先同意路夫蘭嘅講法,然後就話路夫蘭同雲迪克逗得太深,令場波好難踢。
He then calmly got his crucial information over: get higher, condense the pitch and stop City playing the passes that feed their strengths.
然後佢好冷靜咁指示球員:逗前啲,企密啲,唔好畀曼城咁多空位做波。
In possession, relax, orientate yourselves better and speed it up. He pointed out spaces available to break City’s press, helping Liverpool retain the ball and thwart the hosts’ constant flow of attacks.
控球果時保持冷靜,轉身然後加速。善用進攻空位突破曼城嘅迫搶,亦都可以減慢曼城嘅進攻。
Klopp then highlighted Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s chance at the end of the first half as the memory that would be playing on loop in the home dressing room.
佢特別提到張伯倫臨完半場前嘅一次機會。
He stressed that City had just seen what Liverpool were capable of and it would be terrifying them as all it would've taken was one successful attack to scorch Guardiola's charges.
佢話呢球畀曼城睇到利物浦嘅實力,而佢哋先應該係驚果一隊,因為我哋一次成功嘅進攻佢哋就玩完。
There was an element of 'so what the fuck are we doing still sitting here?' as he ordered them to go out and get back on the front foot.
“咁仲坐喺度做乜鳩吖”高普就趕咗隊波出球場準備。
While City were engulfed by the emotion of the occasion with Guardiola getting sent off at half-time, Liverpool used the break to reorganise.
當曼城仍然因為哥迪奧拿半場被趕離場而激動,利物浦就借呢個時候重整旗鼓。
Klopp’s ability to cut through everything and communicate concisely was visible through the first passage of play in which his side strung five to six consecutive passes together.
高普講解戰術嘅能力可以由利物浦下半場第一個攻勢連續五六下靚傳就睇到。
It culminated in Mohamed Salah’s opener on 56 minutes that effectively ended the tie, after Gini Wijnaldum fed Oxlade-Chamberlain.
利物浦好快就得到回報。56分鐘,韋拿度姆傳畀張伯倫,最後由沙拿射入,賽事就基本上大局已定。
The England international dissected City to supply the Egyptian, who along with Sadio Mane had worked to isolate and unsettle Aymeric Laporte, Fernandinho and Nicolas Otamendi as per instruction.
張伯倫劏穿咗曼城嘅防線,畀沙拿配合文尼,根據高普嘅指示搞掂咗拿撲迪,費蘭甸奴同奧達文迪。
Klopp is forever examined through his magnetism, but not his methods. People see the cool as fuck figure with his unkept stubble in a hoody and trainers, but not the tactical nerd obsessed with preparation and details.
高普最吸引人嘅係佢嘅魅力而唔係佢嘅教波或者戰術。大家睇到嘅高普都係著住運動衫同埋有一頭混亂嘅短髮,同果啲執著於準備戰術部署嘅大師風格完全唔同。
The storyline is dictated by the hugs, fist pumps and rantings, but should be about the composed leader, who is able to read the room and never ducks a big call.
完場嘅一刻充滿住擁抱,碰拳同埋咆哮。但係唔能夠遺忘嘅係呢位永不退縮嘅領袖。
Liverpool need only a point to secure Champions League football heading into the final top-flight game of the season against Brighton? Ok then, he'll just pick four attackers.
利物浦只需要喺白禮頓身上拎到1分就足夠確保下季歐聯參賽資格?無問題,出四個前鋒囉。
There is a misconception too that Klopp’s management is punctuated by Hollywood moments, that ‘Any Given Sunday’ type zingers are delivered on a daily.
大家都有個誤會,就係喺高普嘅領導之下,呢啲本應喺荷李活先出現嘅誇張劇情好似每日都會上演。
To this point, Andy Robertson and Oxlade-Chamberlain are often asked “what did Klopp say to you when things weren’t going well at the start of your Liverpool career?”
就住呢點,羅拔臣同張伯倫都曾經分別被問到“高普喺你哋啱啱加盟,表現唔係咁好嘅時候,同你哋講過啲咩?”
There is no cinematographic answer as there were no elaborate meetings or ground-shifting discussions.
無任何驚喜嘅答案,因為根本就無任何特別嘅對話或者照肺。
He told them to continue as they were, put in the work, and the time would come, things would align.
高普只係叫佢哋繼續努力,時機會嚟到,所有嘢就會好順利。
Klopp believes there is no point ballooning something beyond what it actually is, and that often, the best decision to take is none at all.
高普覺得,有時一動不如一靜。
He figures having ‘the talk’ can be self-indulgent and self-serving at times. If there is no certain benefit to a player, what exactly is the point?
佢覺得有時呢啲所謂對話,即係照肺,根本幫唔到球員,晒氣。
And if there is no massive issue, with the criticism existing externally, why should Klopp feed the notion that there is a problem by formally addressing it?
如果根本就無乜問題,只係外界係度亂咁批評,咁何必太認真看待?
Take Mane for example, who was slightly off colour for a period, snatching a little too much and overthinking every action.
以文尼為例,佢有段時間的確係失色咗啲,獨食咗啲,有啲決定慢咗啲。
In general, though, the speedster was still a threat, still being decisive and still ensuring that the front three functioned exceptionally while adding to his defensive duties.
但整體嚟講,佢仍然係前場一個威脅,仍然係決定性嘅,加上佢喺防守嘅貢獻,確保三把尖刀可以各自發揮作用。
There was never a big sit down with the Senegal international, simply a brief sort of ‘What’s up? Stop beating yourself up about any mistakes, I am very happy with you.’
高普從來都無坐低同文尼傾過啲咩問題,最多都只係“喂,唔使咁躁,你踢得好吖我好滿意。”
Mane found his own way through his stifled spell, aided by a sprinkling of encouragement rather than a lengthy tactical dissection.
文尼最後都走出低潮,靠嘅只係少少嘅鼓勵,而唔需要長篇大論嘅戰術分析。
Klopp doesn’t hesitate to assume control when a situation demands it - see Mamadou Sakho as a reference - but he dictates when necessary, not out of ego nor as an act.
當然,如果有需要,高普會毫不猶豫手起刀落介入問題,沙高就係一個例子。但佢只會喺客觀情況有必要嘅時候先會咁,而絕對唔係自我中心。
October 8, 2015
2015年10月8號
At Hope Street Hotel in Liverpool’s city centre, those who would now work closely with the club’s new manager were offered insight into the character behind the established caricature.
喺利物浦市中心嘅希望街設計酒店(Hope Street Hotel),一班而家同高普緊密合作嘅伙記當時就第一次見識到呢位領隊。
After Klopp signed a three-year deal worth an estimated £7m per season in the Sixth Boardroom, where Rafa Benitez had also ratified a contract with the club in 2004, he gathered the football staff for dinner.
高普同球會簽咗3年,每年值7百萬鎊嘅合約。佢簽約嘅地方同2004年賓尼迪斯同利物浦簽約嘅地方一樣。簽約之後,高普就約咗成班職員食晚飯。
Some expected a rousing speech from the German, others assumed it would be the introduction to Jurgen’s Law.
大家都預期高普會發表激勵嘅演說,或者先小人後君子講下自己帶波嘅規矩。
Instead, Klopp spoke very little, inviting everyone to tell him about themselves, their roles and how things worked at Liverpool - from training schedules to the matchday routine. He wanted to absorb as much information as possible.
但結果,高普無乜點講嘢。佢邀請所有人分別介紹自己,佢啲嘅崗位同職責,由訓練日程到比賽日嘅運作,佢都想知道多啲。
When it was time to talk through the media plan for his unveiling, Klopp was asked about his preferences when dealing with press. “No, no,” he responded, underlining that this was the communication team's field and they were the experts.
當講到應對媒體方面,高普話呢個係公關團隊嘅範疇同專業。
They had to tell him how it should be. They had to teach him.
佢會等佢哋指導佢點做。
One of the Stuttgart native’s gifts is trusting and turning to the people he works with, previously stating “I’m not a one-man show. I was never that in my life, and I never want to be that. The best lesson you can get in a day - to speak to smart people about things they know about much more about than you do.”
高普其中一樣天賦就係對人嘅信任。“我唔係單打獨鬥嘅人,我從來都唔係。每日最好嘅事就係同聰明嘅人傾計,聽佢哋講一啲佢哋比你叻好多嘅嘢。”
It is why when recruitment continuously pushed Salah to the forefront of the agenda for Liverpool’s incomings, Klopp co-signed their expertise.
咁就解釋咗點解當球探極力推薦沙拿嘅時候,高普毫不猶豫就投下信任一票。
He is across everything, but respects staff who take responsibility for their spheres of influence and are bold enough to settle on important decisions without informing him of each small detail.
高普好尊重所有同事喺佢哋自己嘅範疇工作,而且可以勇敢啲做決定,唔使事無大小都問准佢。
Klopp surrounds himself with strong personalities, and as such, perhaps that partly explains why his long-time assistant and friend, Zeljko Buvac, is expected to leave the club at the end of the season.
高普身邊有好多叻人一齊做嘢。或者正因為咁,佢嘅長期拍檔,Zeljko Buvac 預計將會係季尾離隊。
The Bosnian-Serb has been missing from the first-team fold since the end of April due to ‘personal reasons,’ and while no clarity has been offered on the situation, there is thought to be an element of discontent for Buvac over his standing in football.
呢位助教自從4月尾就因為私人理由缺席一隊嘅活動。外界盛傳其中一個原因係佢唔滿意自己喺對足球方面嘅意見唔夠被重視,而呢個傳聞亦一直無被正式澄清。
That his absence has not affected Liverpool behind the scenes is a nod to the strength of the individuals in the backroom team.
佢嘅缺席對利物浦影響似乎唔大正好證明球隊背後支援嘅團隊實力洪厚。
It is a strand that runs through the playing personnel as well, with proof in the non-upheaval following Coutinho’s winter departure.
呢點同球員喺古天奴離隊後嘅穩定表現有異曲同工之妙。
Just as the footballers have happily assumed more responsibility, so too have the coaching and support staff.
正如其他球員樂於承擔更多責任,職員亦都一樣。
“Incredibly healthy” has been a label used to describe the overall set-up at Melwood and when you consider the seamless adjustment of Van Dijk and Salah, it seems an accurate assessment.
有人形容Melwood 嘅分工安排係“非常健康”。當你睇到雲迪克同沙拿都可以咁快適應球隊,呢個講法似乎千真萬確。
Meanwhile, players that took a while to find their stride, like Robertson and Oxlade-Chamberlain, never felt walled off.
同時,一啲需要多啲時間適應嘅球員,例如羅拔臣同張伯倫,都無感到被遺忘。
Klopp empowered Henderson to cultivate the dressing room culture and the captain has promoted a togetherness many within the West Derby facility say they haven’t encountered before.
高普吩咐軒達臣負責更衣室裡面嘅氣氛同文化,而大家都認同呢位隊長為球隊帶嚟前所未有嘅團結。
The bond extends beyond the team to the non-football staff, who are part of the fabric of the place too. This is so much so, that even when players leave the fondness lingers.
呢股團結力量亦擴展至其他職員,甚至乎有啲球員離隊後仍然維持住對球隊嘅感情。
When Liverpool travelled to Rome for the second leg of their Champions League semi-final, Lucas Leiva sent back a surprise for popular canteen pairing Carol Farrell and Caroline Guest - signed Lazio shirts with a personal message for both.
當利物浦作客羅馬嘅時候,盧卡斯利華就準備咗拉素簽名波衫作為驚喜禮物送畀一對飯堂孖寶,Carol Farrel 同 Caroline Guest。
Meanwhile, it is in their domain - the dinning room - where Klopp and Edwards often strategise over breakfast or lunch beyond the more in-depth presentations on players. The duo, who both employ an open-door policy, enjoy an effortless relationship underpinned by mutual respect.
高普同Edwards經常都去到飯堂踩場,趁住食早餐或者午餐嘅時間,向球員做戰術指導。呢對飯堂孖寶都表示門常開,非常之歡迎大家。
And while the sporting director keeps a low profile as he prefers to do his job rather than talk about it, allowing him to make moves under the radar at times, Klopp appreciates that he is distinguished in his field and very decisive.
我哋嘅體育總監比較鍾意低調,不受注目,而高普就非常欣賞佢,喺佢嘅範疇十分之出色,亦好果斷。
The Reds boss is never shy to talk up the brilliance of the recruitment group, who are backed by a stellar research team run by Ian Graham.
高普亦毫不吝惜對由Ian Graham帶領嘅球探團隊嘅讚美。
And while Edwards is not the type to seek credit, Liverpool’s forward line - the most devastating in Europe this season - is largely his sketch.
雖然Edwards並唔鍾意領功,但其實利物浦而家嘅前場三叉戟,好大程度係佢嘅功勞。
Gordon assesses the dovetailing between the pair as a core canon for the club’s success. Klopp appreciates Edwards’ intelligence in assembling a team to effectively implement his aggressive blueprint, while the transfer chief is aware that signing a top player is purposeless without a top manager to extract every inch of their talent.
Gordon覺得兩人之間嘅合作係球會成功嘅重要武器。高普欣賞Edwards可以砌到隊波啱佢用,而呢位轉會話事人亦明白,幾好嘅球員都需要一個優秀嘅領隊先可以發揮所長。
The way the Reds have vaporised teams on the continent this season with their attacking venom has seen a spike in agents calling up to ascertain if there’d be any interest in their exciting clients.
利物浦今季令人聞風喪膽嘅表現令唔少經理人都蠢蠢欲動,想睇下利物浦對佢哋嘅球員有無興趣。
Liverpool are now the running train.
利物浦而家可以話係如日方中。
/'I could see myself here for the rest of my career'
我覺得自己淨低嘅職業生涯都會喺呢度。/
FSG were convinced, but how could they not have been? For nearly five years, he was the one: the ownership’s ideal manager, who remained just out of reach.
FSG都好有信心。等咗將近5年,佢就係管理層心儀嘅領隊人選。
In October 2015, however, he had finally become their one - Liverpool’s Jurgen Klopp.
2015年10月,高普終於成為利物浦領隊。
But it was only on a three-year deal. He had never lived outside of Germany, let alone managed in a different country, and while there were no doubts over his status as The Perfect Fit on the club’s end, Klopp was mindful of the adaptation both he and his family would have to undertake.
但當時佢只係簽咗一份3年嘅合約。佢從來未試過喺德國以外居住,更加唔好講帶一隊德國以外嘅球隊。雖然球會對高普充滿信心,但佢就難免顧慮佢同屋企人適應嘅問題。
The contract represented a realistic scenario rather than a romantic one. During a relaxed conversation in June 2016, however, he remarked that he could imagine being at Liverpool for the rest of his managerial career to Gordon.
合約終歸係現實嘅。之後喺2016年,佢提到自己可能可以將淨低嘅執教生涯都放係利物浦。
That put in motion an instant process to lock Klopp in after a quick discussion with principle owner John Henry and chairman Tom Werner.
球隊即刻事不宜遲,同老闆John Henry同主席Tom Werner簡單討論之後,就立即著手準備留住高普。
Within a matter of hours, fresh terms had been thrashed out with the manager’s agent, Marc Kosicke, and a new six-year deal was agreed.
話咁快,新合約就預備好,喺高普經理人Marc Kosicke嘅協助下,高普簽咗一份6年嘅合約。
Klopp had been on holiday in Ibiza before ferrying over to Formentera, the smallest of Spain’s Balearic islands in the Mediterranean Sea.
當時,高普正喺西班牙伊維薩島(Ibiza)放緊大假,佢之後再飛到地中海嘅福門特拉島(Formentera)繼續行程。
And on June 16, as he celebrated his 49th birthday, he also toasted signing on until 2022, with the news only being announced at the start of pre-season the following month.
喺6月16號,當佢慶祝緊49歲生日嘅同時,佢亦正式簽約擔任利物浦領隊直至2022年,而呢個好消息一直等到臨開季先向外公佈。
/"When you have an individual of Jurgen's quality in the building it makes perfect sense to secure that person for the long term. To not do so would be irresponsible."
“當你有一個好似高普咁有能力嘅人帶領球隊,無理由唔同佢簽份長約,否則係對球隊不負責任”/
Long before Henry, Werner and Gordon had first met with Klopp on October 1 2015 at the New York law offices of Shearman & Sterling, they had done extensive homework on his credentials.
遠喺Henry,Werner同Gordon第一次同高普喺2015年10月1號喺紐約一間律師樓見面之前,佢哋已經對高普做咗好多功課。
It was obvious that he was charming and a unifying figure, but they sharply realised there was endless substance beyond the soundbites and mad-scientist smile.
好明顯高普係一個有魅力而有凝聚力嘅人物,但佢哋好快就發現高普嘅功力唔只咁簡單。
Liverpool had craved a recognisable identity and here was a bonafide architect; a man worshipped in Mainz and Dortmund for his remarkable design work.
利物浦有令人景仰嘅歷史同身分,而高普正正就係一個優秀嘅建築師,佢喺緬因斯同多蒙特嘅出色表現已經係好好嘅證明。
They spoke for hours at the high-rise building on Lexington Avenue in Manhattan, chewing over everything from playing style to reawakening the fan base and reconvened the following day for further talks.
佢哋果日傾咗好耐。由球隊踢法到球迷覺醒,佢哋甚至好傾到要約定第二日繼續傾。
Klopp had made one particular point with regularity: Liverpool should be a force in Europe. And they could be. He would work to get them back amongst Europe’s elite, and moreover, as being the kind of team no-one wanted to face in the Champions League.
高普提出咗一點:利物浦應該,而且可以喺歐洲有一席位。佢會令球隊重返歐洲前列,而且會令利物浦成為喺歐聯無人想對碰嘅隊伍。
In a matter of months after arriving in Liverpool, he had guided the club to the Europa League final eliminating Manchester United, Dortmund and Villarreal en route before falling short against Sevilla at the showpiece in Basel.
嚟到利物浦未夠1年,高普就帶領球隊先後淘汰曼聯,多蒙特同維拉利爾,殺入歐霸盃決賽,可惜喺巴塞爾輸咗畀西維爾。
In his first full season at the helm, Klopp’s side secured a fourth-place finish and a crack at Champions League football for only the second time in eight seasons.
喺佢嘅第一季英超,佢就成功殺入前四,拎到來季歐聯參賽資格。呢個只係利物浦近8年嚟第2次。
And having navigated a tricky qualifier against Hoffenheim last August to enter the group phase of the tournament, Liverpool are in now in its final and will be at the continent’s top table again next season.
而今季,先喺外圍賽淘汰賀芬咸,再經過分組賽,利物浦而家已經嚟到歐聯決賽,而且已經穩奪下年嘅歐聯參賽資格。
Whatever happens against Real Madrid in Kiev, Liverpool’s advancement is unarguable.
無論喺基輔對皇家馬德里嘅決賽結果係點,利物浦嘅進步都係有目共睹。
Rewinding to Hong Kong, that they have made it here - one objective boxed off, one well surpassed - through the disruption, the injuries and the sale of Coutinho mid-season, is masterful.
回帶重溫由香港開始嘅球季,經歷風風雨雨,古天奴離隊同埋傷兵滿營,最終前四目標達到,歐聯之路令人驚喜。
Liverpool have the opportunity to be the ultimate conquerers of Europe this season having already dispatched Porto, Manchester City and Roma, smashing scoring records en route to the NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium.
利物浦先後闖過波圖,曼城同羅馬,向住奧林匹克國家綜合體育場進發,有機會成為歐洲嘅盟主。
Most significantly though, there is a wealth of confidence within the club that this will not be a rarity, that spellbinding nights under Anfield’s lights will become a divine right again.
而最重要嘅係,球會上下充滿信心,今季嘅成績唔係偶然,以後仍然陸續有嚟。
They believe Liverpool will not just be fine, Liverpool will be fucking flying.
佢哋相信,利物浦唔單止會掂,仲會係好撚掂。
原文連結:
韋 特 張伯倫 在 BluexLion車迷手記 Facebook 的精選貼文
【賽後分析】
整體黎講車路士值得擁有一分 如果你無睇到全場 小弟絕對推薦你睇番
作者 : 藍獅 BluexLion