Should Tottenham’s Lo Celso be blasted for actions after Liverpool loss?
By Gary Pearson
Giovani Lo Celso waited for Mo Salah in the tunnel after Tottenham’s loss for the opportunity to trade shirts with the Liverpool talisman.
Was it wrong for the Argentinian to prioritize obtaining a keepsake from the very man who, by scoring the winning penalty, stuck a sharp nail in Tottenham’s coffin? And should he be chastised for his actions?
While I’m sure Lo Celso meant no harm in his self-perceived innocuous actions, he has, by befriending the hated enemy, angered large quarters of Tottenham supporters.
The below video, at the 11th minute mark, shows Lo Celso accepting Salah’s shirt.
Lo Celso’s actions aren’t so much a blight on the player himself but are more a byproduct of the nonchalance players embody in the modern era. Recently arriving from Real Betis, Lo Celso, other than through historical news and war stories from peers, has no context to draw from. And let’s be real: it’s highly unlikely Lo Celso is reading any English news, and just as unlikely his Millennial peers are talking about the club’s historical gripes with the Reds.
The only thing Lo Celso was probably thinking about is making the most of his opportunity to get an idol’s worn match shirt. An Argentinian who has come from a humble upbringing, Lo Celso might still be in awe of his current surroundings. While I’m not excusing Lo Celso’s actions, I am trying to add context to a situation that has been blown out of proportion.
Players all the time switch shirts after matches. So is it worse to swap shirts in the tunnel than at midfield for all to see?
Long gone are the days where bitter rivals jaw at each other with disgust and loathing. Millennial stars don’t seem to care about historical rivalries. I would even wager to say some don’t even care about a one-off result, like losing to Liverpool for example.
And that’s what is wrong with footballers in the modern era. There’s a systemic problem with the sport when you have supporters who care more about results than players. Overpaid and either unaware or uninterested in the history of club rivalries, players live in a self-absorbed world.
Remember, most players are only at any single club fleetingly, while supporters, no matter the turmoil, are forever loyal to one club.
Next. Three players who need to be shown door. dark
In this case, whether we like it or not, it’s a “don’t hate the player, hate the game” sort of scenario. And the more teams pay their entitled players, the more this epidemic will spread like a malignant airborne contagion.