To celebrate the release of the new album by Joey Barton’s favourite band All We Are, we spoke to drummer Rich O’Flynn about his love of Liverpool Football Club…
How did you come to support Liverpool?
My eldest brother has been an LFC supporter since he first saw those famous red shirts back in the ’70s. I just followed his lead!
Do you think the manager is doing a good job? If not, who would you like to see replace him?
Yeah I have to say I like Brendan. I can see him becoming a Liverpool legend with a bit of time. People say a lot of things but he’s managed to create a great team after losing one of the best strikers in the world at the end of last season and one of the best strikers in England at the start of this one due to injury.
Liverpool are looking really exciting again and there was huge pressure on him for a while. Fair do’s to him for keeping his head.
Which areas of the team/squad would you like to see strengthened?
This isn’t my forte really. Defence is looking pretty good after he’s changed to three at the back and midfield looks great so maybe a really creative striker to play with Sturridge up front as an option. Although I still reckon Balo will come good.
Have you managed to get to the ground much to watch them over the years?
Yeah I’ve been to Anfield a fair few times actually both for the league and European games. The highlight was the second leg of the Champions League quarter-final at Anfield vs Arsenal in 2008.
We drew the first leg at the Emirates 1-1. At Anfield we beat them 4-2 in the end with Babel sending 40,000 people into raptures when we scored the 4th goal right at the end of the game. I get goosebumps thinking about it.
Would you be able to name the first, best and worst games you’ve ever been to?
First was a league game against Tottenham at home in 2006. Best was that Champions League game above. The worst was a pretty drab draw against Swansea in 2010 or 2011 I think. I’ve wiped it from my memory.
Finally, if you had to select a five-a-side team out of all the players you’ve seen play for your team in your time as a fan, who would you pick?
A pretty recent one but up front I reckon it has to be Suárez. On his day he’s unstoppable.
In midfield of course there’s the one and only Steve G and alongside him Xabi Alonso. I’ll never understand why Benitez tried to sell Xabi to get Gareth Barry in the team.
Carragher in defence. Absolute quality and of course we all dream of a team of Carraghers. Dudek in goal! Because of Istanbul. Legend.