O’Neill needs to sell us a dream to cling to

Messi gave up processed food this season, we heard this week from nutritionist Giuliano Poser, seemingly the true driving force behind Barcelona’s surge out of pre-Christmas lethargy to intestinal purity and treble glory.

“He replaced it with foods rich in vitamins, minerals, fibre contained in whole grains, fruit, vegetables, fish and olive oil,” Poser expanded, in the manner of a Brendan Rodgers detailing the half-time tactical ingenuity that would undo one of Liverpool’s opponents.

Two important ‘takeaways’, for me, from Dr Poser’s opportunism: The processed food enthusiasts among us will take solace, certainly, in recalling that Messi was able to play a bit back when he was presumably ingesting all manner of junk. A reminder too, if one was needed, that football invariably offers us many narratives from which to choose. And there’s usually one available to suit everyone’s agenda.