As his first season protecting Liverpool FC as a beat journalist reaches its midway level, Mo Stewart offers his expertise from behind the scenes to date.
It’s been fairly the yr for all of us of a crimson persuasion; 2024 began and ended with good-looking victories to depart Liverpool high of the Premier League, however in between there have been some seismic modifications.
As modifications go, it’s exhausting to high getting a brand new head coach, however on a private degree life feels simply as completely different for me because it does for Jurgen Klopp and Arne Slot.
At 43 years outdated I’m within the place I’ve dreamed of since realising as a nine-year-old that I wouldn’t make it as a participant.
I’m an unbiased journalist working in and round my favorite staff, capable of ask Slot and his gamers questions and analyse their solutions for a hungry world fanbase.
As this yr ends, it appears like the right time to take inventory of what I’ve realized within the final three-and-a-half months as a beat reporter on the AXA Coaching Centre in Kirkby, and the press room and radio gantry at Anfield.
Within the model of my press convention critiques, I’ve three high takeaways to ship.
1. The person on the high controls the environment
Over his nine-year tenure, it was no shock that such a gregarious persona as Klopp would have full management over his area.
Extra stunning is that Slot has been capable of have an identical affect so quickly afterwards, with a way more understated hand on the tiller.
From my first days as a brand new face within the constructing, it has been noticeable how relaxed and pleasant the environment has been. The groundsmen, receptionists, safety guards, press officers, youth gamers and coaches are all singing from the identical hymn sheet, with out cynicism or suspicion.
For a staff combating for the highest honours, the place each draw is a catastrophe, it might be straightforward for Slot to really feel tense and confrontational.
His appointment hadn’t satisfied everybody, and matched with a summer season switch window thought-about at greatest underwhelming and at worst negligent, a lot throughout the soccer world have been gleefully anticipating the Dutchman to fall flat on his face.
To see him earlier than, after and through his press duties, you’d by no means comprehend it. A smile and amusing have by no means been far-off, and have subtle many doubtlessly awkward conditions.
Outcomes have supplied Slot an prolonged honeymoon interval, however there was a lot that would have left him pissed off.
There have been the fixed references to Klopp; the random incompetence of refereeing choices; the sheer quantity of calls for on his time; and sure, these weekly questions concerning the contracts of Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold.
And but, week after week, all enquiries are met with grace and understanding. It’s actually spectacular to witness.
2. Everybody has to work collectively
Probably the most stunning factor I’ve witnessed is the extent to which everybody recognises the necessity to work collectively.
Individuals who from the surface seem like working at crossed functions, or in competitors, are literally invested in ensuring all elements of the machine are transferring easily.
The LFC press staff – who I think would favor to not be named – deserves a big a part of the credit score right here. Whether or not they’re poachers turned gamekeepers, or simply skilled sufficient to have seen all of it, they perceive when to permit us a little bit of rope and when to tug it tight.
(The unfold supplied to journalists earlier than a pre-Christmas press convention on the AXA)
They’re all extraordinarily approachable, solely liable to lose their mood when you go away empty espresso cups mendacity round!
As journalists, it’s essential to construct a working relationship of mutual respect with the press staff and the boss, however with a brand new man within the chair comes a feeling-out course of – pushing the boundaries to see how they react to uncomfortable strains of questioning.
The way by which the contract questions have changed into a operating joke on and off digicam is a credit score to all of them.
If the worst ought to occur and any of the trio don’t prolong their keep, the tone might change. Nevertheless, there’s little doubt that the respect will stay.
Respect can be how I’d describe my relationship with my friends within the pack.
Though it helps that I’ve labored with the likes of Paul Gorst, David Lynch and Beth Lindop in my time at The Anfield Wrap and as a part of the Echo group at Liverpool.com, some conventional journalists have been dismissive of fan media and the evolution of the business it has triggered.
Throughout the Liverpool beat, I’ve been warmly welcomed. It’s been a thrill to have the ability to converse with individuals whose work I’ve absorbed and admired for years, like Paul Joyce, Juliette Ferrington and Andy Hunter.
The conversations I’ve had, and people who I’ve overheard, have been a useful a part of my training.
3. The most effective query is the one which will get one of the best reply
Constructing a rapport with Slot has been by far probably the most fulfilling a part of the proceedings.
To see a smile stretch throughout his face as I unfurl my typically overlong questions is thrilling, and for him to provide such detailed solutions has made my job a lot simpler.
Crucial job of a journalist is to get attention-grabbing info out of your topic, and Liverpool’s head coach has been a fountain of fascinating data from the second he arrived.
My fame as a ‘stats nerd’ has triggered no finish of amusement amongst my family and friends, however I take it as an appreciation that my questions are at all times about soccer, versus the extracurriculars.
I reap the benefits of the liberty I’ve to ask no matter I like, with no producers demanding headline-grabbing quotes.
All managers wish to discuss soccer, and I’ll proceed to provide Slot that chance.
The toughest half has been to ensure I don’t get caught up in any concepts of a burgeoning bromance, and follow the plan.
I’ve modified my thoughts over a query loads of occasions as a result of I may simply predict the reply. My inside self-assessment is at all times ‘does this query make me look good, or does it get an excellent response?’.
There’s little doubt it helps my profession if individuals know who I’m, however I’m not, and by no means needs to be, the story.
Thanks all for participating with my work, and serving to me on my journey as a journalist. Right here’s to larger and higher experiences in 2025, and maybe a trophy parade or two.
• You may comply with Mo Stewart on X, @The_Mighty_Mojo, and tune into his YouTube channel right here.
