For Fede
The Italian's winning goal against Bournemouth was a wonderful moment for a player who won the heart of the Kop in a way few have before.
I can’t think of many last gasp winners where I was happier about the goalscorer than the goal. Can you?
But that was definitely the case on Friday night.
As he wheeled away towards the corner flag in jubilation, Federico Chiesa briefly pointed at himself. It was a moment of spontaneous affirmation.
Rather than the self-referential “I’m the man” we’ve seen from footballers so often, in that fleeting second amid the bedlam, Fede seemed to be saying: I exist. I have value.
Because over the last twelve months there have probably been doubts.
His winner against Bournemouth on a night of pure emotion at Anfield was a beautiful piece of validation for the player who won the collective heart of the Kop in a way few others have.
Zoom out and it’s not a bad existence, is it? We’d all trade places in a heartbeat. Coming and training with the best players in the world every day, living a life of opulence. Low stakes, high rewards.
But given Fede’s previous standing in the game, a sulk at being sidelined almost constantly might have ensued. It didn’t. Outwardly, his positivity shone through. He was in this with us every step of the way. Kicking every ball from the bench, completely supportive of his teammates. Always with a smile, appearing genuinely happy to just be there. The ultimate professional.
