Jonny Strong

The badge on the front will always be greater than the name on the back.

[Jonny Strong @Strongerlfc]

@TheAnfieldWrap Obviously got a job on Blackpool beach

[Jonny Strong @Strongerlfc]

@JamieWebster94 What about Belfast lad?

[Stan Collymore @StanCollymore]

VAR

I enthusiastically welcomed it. Was sold on the higher percentage of right decisions so we could all go home knowing football justice had been done and we could concentrate on which player was crap instead.

But I was wrong. Woefully and completely wrong.

Waiting 5 minutes for a decision to be made alone means the system isn't fit for purpose. Why? Because I sat with TV producers who said everything would be wrapped up in 10-30 seconds. It has literally taken the spontaneous joy from the most important part of the game. A goal.

Then, one thing completely blindsided me and many others.

Subjectivity.

I thought there would be science and a nailed on guarantee of a successfully and universally accepted decision. How wrong we were. Instead, arbitrary lines are drawn that simply can't with any certainty say whether a player is offside or not. So a human in a portacabin, 200 miles away only does what the referee can do, make a best guess.

Likewise handballs, dives, any penalty decision to be honest. A subjective decision decided out of stadium allowing an increasingly small and poor refereeing pool a get out of jail free card. Instead of them making a shit decision and owning it, they just pass it on 200 miles away so 3 men in a portacabin can make a shit decision instead. Lunacy.

For the love of the game, let's go back to investing in getting more referees, respecting them so that they join the trade and don't feel constantly abused. In short, treat them like rugby referees. Ultimate respect.

Then, fuck VAR off, it's ruined the game, made it petty and chaotic, and taken that one ingredient that you simply can't replace, instantaneous joy.

As a player and fan I accepted a referee making a bad decision in a game in the same way I accepted fucking up a shot or pass. We're all human.

Let's get back to that, humans doing their best, everyone walks away from the ground accepting that and less unrealistic pressure put on officials to be perfect when perfection doesn't exist in any walk of life.

VAR stinks. A system designed to help is a massive hindrance and it's about time pundits, fans, players, referees, clubs put pressure on authorities to get rid of it. We only need goal line tech, the rest can and should be refer refereed by humans making their best judgement. A best judgement that was over 98% right( audited fact pre VAR).

Enough is enough, fuck it off.

[Jonny Strong @Strongerlfc]

@TheFarm_Peter . Looking forward to seeing you tomorrow night in Belfast. Last time we spoke was in the away end at the Emirates. Hopefully you'll be able get a pint or 2 of Guinness in The Garrick when your in town.

[Jonny Strong @Strongerlfc]

@johngibbonsblog Whistle.

[Jonny Strong @Strongerlfc]

@johngibbonsblog That fkn white done my head in. Could hear it clearly all night in the upper Kenny. Right next to the scoreboard.

[Jonny Strong @Strongerlfc]

@McInnispicks You reckon he gives a flying f**k about your opinion of him?

[Henry Winter @henrywinter]

Never give up on your dream – that’s the moral of Andy Robertson’s career. It will be fascinating to see where he goes next after Liverpool. He’s a fighter, only just turned 32, and still has plenty to give. Robertson's resilient. He’s always taken setbacks in his stride. Released by Celtic. Never gave up. Relegated twice at Hull City. Never gave up.

As he modestly posted on Instagram after lifting the Champions League in 2019, “Just a wee guy from Glasgow living the absolute dream”. He made Liverpool fans dream. His Anfield legacy is immense and varied. Complete bargain: £10m from Hull in 2017. Eight trophies: including that Champions League and two Premier Leagues. Great stats from left-back: 69 assists, 13 goals in 373 games.

Countless memories: including that headed equaliser against Villa in the 19/20 title season; productive, joyous connection with Sadio Mane; constant ferocious press; that hunger and stamina to race forward and deliver expert crosses; living his life as a top pro, not drinking during the season, and playing with the passion of a fan.
By every metric, and memory, Robertson is a Liverpool legend.

There were occasional mistakes: ruffling Lionel Messi’s hair during the 2019 annihilation of Barcelona was disrespectful. But, overall, Robertson is a club legend. And Liverpool are losing more than a player when Robertson leaves. They are losing a hugely popular character, bubbly, fun, and also a man with a conscience. Robertson made substantial donations to foodbanks during his time on Merseyside, and vital donations to keep a suicide-prevention phone-line open in his native Glasgow during lockdown.

And how will Liverpool win without a Scot in their team? Tartan thread is woven through the tapestry of Liverpool's history starting with the “Team of Macs” in the 1890s. In one 1893 game against Blackpool, headlined as “Lancashire against Scotland” there was McQue, McCartney, McLean, McVean and two McQueens (one of whom, Matt, became manager in the 1920s).

Liverpool have had so many great Scots: Raisbeck, Liddell, Lawrence, Yeats, St John, Hall, Hansen, Souness, Dalglish, the list goes on, Nicol, Gillespie, Wark, McAllister, Matteo and Hutchison (Gateshead-born but a 26-cap passionate Scotland international) amongst many others (and please add). Plus managers like Shankly, Dalglish and Souness. So many great Scots. Andy Robertson is guaranteed a great send-off by fans he gave everything for. #LFC

[Jonny Strong @Strongerlfc]

@marshylfc Wish up. Slots to blame for Andy Robertson ducking out of a challenge. Have a look at the players

[Jonny Strong @Strongerlfc]

@OfficialHuey Belfast??

[Jonny Strong @Strongerlfc]

@OfficialHuey Fantastic album. See you tomorrow night in Belfast.

[90s Football @90sfootball]

This just gets better and better!

(via @djtonyperry)

[Jonny Strong @Strongerlfc]

@mattletiss7 Entitled

[chart data @chartdata]

Rolling Stone staff ranks the 'Best Super Bowl Halftimes' of All-Time #SuperBowl:

#1 Prince (2007)
#2 U2 (2002)
#3 Beyoncé (2013)
#4 Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Mary J. Blige, 50 Cent, and Kendrick Lamar (2022)
#5 Aerosmith, Britney Spears, ‘NSync, Nelly & Mary J. Blige (2001)
#6 Shakira and Jennifer Lopez (2020)
#7 Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band (2009)
#8 Rihanna (2023)
#9 Madonna (2012)
#10 Lady Gaga (2017)
#11 The Rolling Stones (2006)
#12 Katy Perry (2015)
#13 Kendrick Lamar (2025)
#14 Paul McCartney (2005)
#15 Michael Jackson (1993)

[Jonny Strong @Strongerlfc]

@TheAnfieldWrap some absolute bellends on the pink. Missed a pen and 2 cleared off the line. Becker has a shocker for their goal. What a quote. " I dont want to pay money to watch that:" Then don't fk away off then and don't.

[NI Blood Transfusion @GiveBloodNI]

We are celebrating Jonathan Strong, from Finaghy, who popped into our Belfast HQ to make his 203rd donation. A tremendous achievement! 🎉🎉

Read Jonathan full story over on our Facebook page!

#GiveBlood #SaveLives #Milestone #NorthernIreland

[Jonny Strong @Strongerlfc]

@OfficialHuey See you the 23rd of Feb. You will love Belfast

[Jonny Strong @Strongerlfc]

@prodnose 1987. Kings Hall ,Belfast. A band named Ghost of an American Airman were far better than the main act. They were AHA.

[Rock'n Roll of All @rocknrollofall]

"Best Purple Rain cover I heard, Tom Jones voice and David Gilmour stratospheric sound."

"Who's out there still listening 32 years later?"

Tom Jones on his show 'The Right Time' performing the Prince classic 'Purple Rain' accompanied by guitar legend David Gilmour on 13th June 1992.

That's quite a powerful duo for such an incredible piece by Prince.

[The Anfield Wrap @TheAnfieldWrap]

🗓️ On This Day | 1998

"The youngster whose never even featured on the team sheet before is going to be given his opportunity for Liverpool." "Fresh faced teenager... Steven Gerrard."

... and the rest is history