FM22 Why Manage – Liverpool

A bit about Liverpool

• Formed in 1892
• Play at Anfield (Capacity of 53,394)
• Team with most League Cup wins - 8
• All time top scorer - Ian Rush 346 goals
• Record transfer fee signing - £75Million for Virgil Van Dijk

LFC Trophy Cabinet

• 19 Premier Leagues (or equivalent)
• 7 FA Cups
• 8 League Cups
• 6 Champions Leagues (or equivalent)
• 3 Europa Leagues (or equivalent)
• 4 European Super Cups
• 15 Community Shields
• 1 Club World Championship
• 4 Championships (or equivalent)

YNWA

Liverpool have one of the greatest histories out of all of the clubs in English football if not the best. Having won 67 trophies in their entire history only Manchester United have won more with 68 – this season Liverpool will be aiming to not only match that but quite possibly beat it and on current form you would say this is very possible.

Their best spell of success was during the 70s and 80s where they claimed 11 League wins, 3 FA Cups, 7 European trophies and 4 league cups

They adopted the famous song which has become an incredible atmosphere generator in the 1960's when Merseybeat band Gerry and the Playmakers recorded it and it was played at Anfield whom at the time where one of the few bands to have a pa system where music could be played.

Liverpool's success dried up where the league was concerned after 1990 where they did not win a league title for 30 years, whilst for them taking a league crown was a very lengthy barren spell there was intermittent trophy winning. Under Gerard Houlier they famously won a treble in 2001 claiming the FA Cup, the League Cup and the Europa League.

During Rafael Benitez's reign Liverpool claimed a 5th Champion's league title after that night in Istanbul, they had gone 3-0 down in the first half to AC Milan but fought back to level 3-3 and claim the trophy on penalties, the following season they won another FA Cup.

Top of the Klopps

Whilst they did also win a league cup during the second tenure of Kenny Dalglish in 2012 Liverpool again faced a barren spell until the appointment of Jurgen Klopp in 2015.

He had notably achieved success with his previous role in charge of Dortmund ending a cycle of Bayern dominance in the Bundesliga but engineering a unique and acclaimed style of play. Introducing it to Liverpool FC the now famed gegen press heavy metal style of football which requires a constant barrage of pressing without the ball and extremely fast transitional play attacking at speed when the ball has been won.

Whilst it took a few seasons, it was clear that the recruitment was getting better for Liverpool and the players brought in made the style work better but it wasn't until the 2018/19 season where Liverpool ended the drought and won a 6th Champion's League title, swiftly following that victory with a maiden Premier League title the following season ending a 30 year wait for League gold once more.

Key signings to push Liverpool to that next level were Virgin Van Dijk whom has become one of the best defenders in the world at the moment even being recognised with a Balon d'Or nomination and finishing 2nd just behind Lionel Messi.



Their goalkeeper Alisson Becker whom they bought from Roma whom has been an immense part of their back line, with an impressive 49 clean sheets in 108 games gaining the golden glove in 2018/19.



Sadio Mane one of the first through the door with his amazing athleticism and pace he is a key part of both their style and their first team usually making up Liverpool's front 3 alongside Robert Firmino and Mohamed Salah, this season Diego Jota has been in this mix more instead of Firmino but they all have an amazing outstanding together and lead the press Liverpool are known for under Klopp so expertly.

Egyptian King of the World?

On current form he must be given his own section, affectionately given the moniker of Egyptian king by the Liverpool faithful for his highly impressive goal scoring record since joining the club right now he is in the form of his life and is receiving plaudits seemingly from everywhere and deservedly so.

He currently has 15 goals in 15 games in all competitions for Liverpool this season and a further 7 assists making 22 goal contributions and it is only mid November. He seems on target to break all sorts of records this season and it would be fitting if this were to continue to be linked as he has been for the Balon d'Or.

Liverpool with certainly hope that he can add to the 107 goals he current has in the Premier League and he will be looking to beat his previous best tally of 32 strikes he accumulated in the 2017/18 season. If he can there is little doubt Liverpool will likely be taking home a trophy of some sorts this season and he will be claiming the golden boot.

So Why Manage Liverpool?

Liverpool have a massive fan base so it's not really a difficult sell for their own supporters but for the neutral looking for a big club to try and take on the world you have one heck of a team to do so with here, the first eleven definitely is world class and could beat anyone on their day so if you want trophies definitely one of the better options.

A sub aspect is to overtake Man Utd's league title numbers and total trophies won regardless of being a fan or not, if you're more into short terms saves this should be reachable depending on their performance in a few seasons.

Last season Liverpool had many injuries which really hit their title defence, making up for lost time this time around there is that feeling of what could have been watching them with their full team at their best whether chasing Man UFC's title haul or not reclaiming the league from Man City will be a priority considering last season's effort, doing better than that is a priority.

Another recreation on the cards, it should be fairly within reach but getting a recreation to mimic the stats that they achieve isn't as simple as plugging and playing – getting the wing backs involved and the front three firing as required may take a little fine tuning but worthwhile if you can.

Following on so recreation or not can you actually get Salah to really fire like he has been doing in real life, there are talks of Balon d'Or and whilst deserved in real life getting him to win this in the game really would be a unique challenge it could happen but you'll really need to be at your best and so will the Egyptian King but out of all the teams on the list achieving this feat with an individual player Liverpool may be your best chance and it would be fascinating to achieve.

You've got the players, the motivation and whilst they keep going at some point Henderson and Milner will need replacing – can Curtis Jones and Harvey Elliott take the mantle from their successful counter parts or will you seek England's finest from elsewhere as Liverpool often have had a vital English midfielder as part of their team so maintaining that would be a special ode to Liverpool's DNA. Liverpool are a very strong choice this FM again and you'll not be alone if you choose them.