Football Daily | Liverpool, inflexible sheep farmers and why a change can do you good

A Unique Sensation

An anecdote recounts a wise elder who resided in the high mountains of India many years ago. This man adhered to an unwavering dietary regimen, consuming the identical meal each day, for every meal, akin to a celebrity with fixed habits. His singular dish, though specific details are lost to history, was primarily rice, inherently monotonous, not only for him but also for the individual tasked with its preparation. Eventually, the cook questioned him, “Why do you always eat the same fare?” the cook inquired. “Are you not as weary of consuming it as I am of preparing it?” The sage shook his head, replying, “It is not the same sustenance. How could I ingest precisely the same thing twice? Each day is distinct.”

This month marks four years since The Guardian published an article featuring Wilf Davies, a Welsh sheep farmer, detailing his life. “My routine is in sync with nature,” he penned. “This extends to my diet. For a decade, even on Christmas Day, my supper has remained constant: two pieces of fish, a large onion, an egg, baked beans, and a few biscuits to conclude. Lunch comprises a pear, an orange, and four paste sandwiches. At the supermarket, my selections are predetermined. I have no interest in other foods. I have never tried Chinese, Indian, or French cuisine. Why alter what works? I have already discovered the food I relish.”

Filmmaker Christian Cargill, upon encountering this article, recognized a narrative deserving of global attention and made Davies the central figure of his short film, Heart Valley. “This was a story that needed to be conveyed,” Cargill explained. “I believe it carries a universal message, one of optimism and appreciating our place and every day we are granted in this world. Some might criticize him for not embracing novelty. Yet, in our discussions, he countered, ‘I get to savor my favorite meal daily. What could surpass that in life?’ I believe that encapsulates everything.”

Speaking of indulging in a perpetually repetitive menu of essentially uniform content, the Premier League has returned – and indeed, what could be more gratifying? The recent international hiatus imposed an unwelcome interruption to our predictable diet, leaving us yearning for the resumption of action. “I definitely am eager because it has been 15 or 16 days, or even longer, since my last managerial experience,” stated Liverpool’s strategist, Arne Slot. For Slot, this unwelcome interlude followed another disappointing spell where his team suffered consecutive defeats, exiting both the major cup competition and the less prestigious league cup. However, this break might have inadvertently benefited his team. Perhaps, Slot contemplated, alteration can be beneficial. “It may have been opportune,” he reflected. “Players engage with a different environment with their national teams, offering a fresh perspective. Experiencing a different setting can be beneficial for players.”

On Wednesday, Slot’s presumptive champions will host local rivals Everton in the Merseyside derby. Everton’s recent resurgence has likely prevented their relegation to a different environment – the Championship. The previous Merseyside derby in February concluded in a 2-2 stalemate, with Slot’s dismissal, an incident the Dutchman acknowledges he might repeat. “I hope to behave differently, but I can’t guarantee it,” he admitted. “However, I am certain I would be exceptionally surprised to again witness eight minutes filled with so many contentious decisions against us.” Surely, such an experience is unlikely to recur. After all, how can one precisely replicate an experience? Every day is unique. Now, it is time for a paste sandwich.

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QUOTE OF THE DAY

I don’t really look at social media [abominations] or the media too much. Once I’m away from the pitch, I focus on enjoying myself and my family and friends, and I think that allows me to be at my best. It’s about having people around you that allow you to do that. Mine is also my dog [Brody]. When I come away from the pitch, I take the boys for a walk. They’re my little sons. That’s the way I look after myself and switch off” – Chloe Kelly on how her family – and furry friend – support her in dealing with the spotlight as she returns to the England squad.

Re: Memory Lane (yesterday’s Football Daily, full email edition). I reckon it must be Chelsea v Blackburn at Stamford Bridge on 31 January 2007. Chelsea won 3-0. They used to attack in those days, before José became a cantankerous old git” – Mike Grant (and other amateur sleuths).

May I suggest that could be Artur Jorge on the bench. I can’t find any evidence of Créteil, of whom he was then manager, having such a Blackburn-esque shirt although they do play in blue. FC Grenchen anyone? Do we care?” – Simon McMenamin.

Through deductive reasoning with my colleague Adam Thoroughgood, we believe we have identified the specific match featured in the Nokia N73 image. Initially, we thought the text on the bench read Chelseafc.com, suggesting a game against Blackburn. However, due to potential kit color clashes, we couldn’t confirm a match where both Chelsea and Blackburn wore their home kits. Researching kit websites, I discovered that Porto wore a Blackburn-style half-white/half-blue shirt in the 2001-02 season. This led us to consider that the text on the bench was Uefa.com, indicating a European fixture. Wikipedia revealed José Mourinho became Porto manager in January 2002, narrowing it down to four possible Big Cup matches. The benches didn’t resemble those of Bernabéu or Sparta Prague. After reviewing the Panathinaikos game on YouTube, José’s coat appeared too rain-soaked. This directs us to conclude that the image of a handsome José in a splendid coat on the Nokia is from Porto 1-2 Real Madrid on 27 February 2002” – Michael Pilcher.

You expect us to identify a match from a blurry image on a nearly 20-year-old phone? Alright, let’s try. The kit resembles Porto’s 2002 strip, and I believe it says Uefa.com on the dugout backdrop, suggesting a Big Cup encounter? I’ll venture to say it’s Real Madrid versus Porto on 19 February 2002. And the headless figure in the foreground is likely Carlos Secretário. Maybe. The real enigma is why choose a four-year-old photograph to promote a new phone” – Jon Gregory.

Correspondence can be addressed to [email protected]. Today’s distinguished letter recipients are … Michael Pilcher and Adam Thoroughgood (for their Porto insight). Terms and conditions for our competitions are accessible here.

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