FOR a while there on Saturday I’m sure the Havant & Waterlooville team and supporters dared to dream.

Taking the early lead and then going back in front after we’d equalised, it must have crossed one or two minds that they could at least come away with a draw. To anyone with Liverpool’s interests in mind, that was unthinkable.

You knew that we would eventually overcome them and they did run out of steam after an hour as expected.

For Liverpool, the first half especially was embarrassing. There are too many players at this club at present who don’t seem to care enough.

One comment behind me on Saturday was “there’s no drive”. There wasn’t. All the leaders were sat on the bench. It seems that this is part of our overall problem. We need more winners in the squad, a harder streak.

It’s okay getting up for Barcelona-type games but would Havant have scored two goals at Old Trafford or the Emirates?

There was confirmation on Saturday, however, that Anfield occupies a special place in football. As You’ll Never Walk Alone was sung prior to kick-off, the Havant supporters raised their scarves and joined in. As their team’s bus had approached the stadium they were warmly applauded by Liverpool supporters in the streets. Their goals were applauded by Liverpool’s fans and they were given a great salute by the whole stadium at the end.

Very few places in football respond with such generosity. Rafa knows this is a special place. A few of his players and possibly some of those in control at the club need to wake up to it before it’s too late. The financial debates occupying the club, the future of the stadium, indeed the future of the manager, all affects the heart and soul of this club going forward. Get it wrong and something unique may disappear. Get it right and our future could be even brighter than our past.