WHO'D have thought that after winning 26 out of 27 league matches, storming to a 20-point lead at the top of the table, and genuinely giving off an aura of invincibility, Liverpool would eventually be foiled by a 10-year-old Irish boy?
Less than three weeks ago, young Daragh Curley, a Manchester United fan from Co. Donegal, wrote a letter to Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp, pleading with him to stop winning.
To his surprise, a few days later he received a reply from the German manager, who insisted that he couldn't give Daragh what he wanted ... or so he thought.
Call it 'the luck of the Irish', but ever since, Liverpool have lost three times in four matches - their worst run of form for well over a year.
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 03: Willian of Chelsea FC celebrates scoring his teams first goal during the FA Cup Fifth Round match between Chelsea FC and Liverpool FC at Stamford Bridge on March 03, 2020 in London, England. (Photo by Chloe Knott - Danehouse/Getty Images)They were beaten 2-0 by Chelsea last night and were subsequently dumped out of the FA Cup, on Saturday they lost their Premier League unbeaten streak after being smashed 3-0 by Watford, and a fortnight ago they lost to Atletico Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League Round of 16 tie.
WATFORD, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 29: Ismaila Sarr of Watford celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the Premier League match between Watford FC and Liverpool FC at Vicarage Road on February 29, 2020 in Watford, United Kingdom. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)Even Liverpool's only victory since Daragh's letter, a 3-2 win over West Ham, felt a little fortuitous, with the Reds clawing their way back from 2-1 down in the second half.
Forget the luck of the Irish, this is the curse of the Irish.
Daragh had written to Klopp as part of a school assignment, but never in a million years expected to hear back from him.
"He's very kind because it's a personalised letter, and obviously he read my letter," the 10-year-old told BBC NI.
"He took time off his work to type my letter, on official paper as well."
MADRID, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 18: (BILD ZEITUNG OUT) Saul niguez of Atletico de Madrid celebrates after scoring his team`s first goal 1:0. Fabinho of Liverpool FC looks dejected during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 first leg match between Atletico Madrid and Liverpool FC at Wanda Metropolitano on February 18, 2020 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Baldesca Samper/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)Klopp told reporters shortly after that he felt compelled to respond to such a "cheeky" request.
"I hope Daragh is happy," he said.
"He looked like it on a picture I saw later."
You should see his face now, Jurgen.
Three weeks ago, this young Man United fan sent Klopp a letter asking him to lose a game. He just might have cursed them. 😅
Atletico Madrid 1-0 Liverpool
Watford 3-0 Liverpool
Chelsea 2-0 Liverpool pic.twitter.com/RFLtLcUeuw— EPL Bible (@EPLBible) March 4, 2020
