Lucky old Liverpool (Guardian 31 May 2005)

Letter to editor from Professor Yiannis Gabriel - "Mark Lawson is right that psychology had an important role to play in Liverpool's magnificent European triumph."

At half-time, in their epic confrontation with AC Milan, Liverpool players were confronted not just with defeat, but with the abyss of total humiliation, surely every sportsperson's nightmare. To turn defeat into victory required tremendous mental as well as physical stamina.

But Lawson is wrong in viewing courage as the only factor responsible for the outcome, which innumerable circumstances conspired to bring about, a crucial one being luck. Liverpool "deserved" their good fortune, although many Italian fans, who saw their skilful side go under, may beg to differ.

It is debatable whether Arsenal deserved their good fortune four days earlier in their Cup final win. This is what makes football such a great subject for narrative. Neither psychology nor economics can help us make sense of what happens on the field. Story and myth can.

Prof Yiannis Gabriel
Imperial College London