Liverpool F.C – Bringing Back The Glory Years !

Liverpool legend confirmed as the new manager

Manager’s Notes

I was surprised when Rodgers resigned. He was doing a really good job and had absolutely no problem with the owners. Turns out we were under the wrong impression. Just two days after Rodgers resigned I had a phone call from John Henry. I thought he might want my opinion on who should be the next manager. I was completely stunned when he offered me the job. It wasn’t an easy decision to make. I had no previous experience of management. But it wasn’t an opportunity I could let go.

Brendan had some excellent ideas. I plan to work on them and try the squad to learn them along with me. Most of the staff is leaving too. Getting new coaches will have to be my first priority. Another important area to improve will be the scouting section. Last season Coutinho was an excellent find. We need a few more transfers of that type. Also I plan on promoting a few players from the Academy. The likes of Kelly , Wisdom , Ibe , Sterling are doing really well . We can’t have a great team without a few players who know what it takes to wear the famous Red colors. As Colin Pascoe is leaving too , I need a assistant manager. I am hoping I find one who has spent a long time in the EPL. I will need his help for analysing the opposition. I asked Jamie if he would like to join the coaching staff. Unfortunately, he has refused but said he might available in the future.

I hope my spell as a manager is a success. The owners have put their trust in me when they could have easily appointed someone else. It’s time to prove they made the right choice .

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I have taken some inspiration for this update from Glenn T’s story with Jamie Carragher from FM13 . And this is the last update till I get the game , hopefully before 2 November .

Mangers Notes – Pre-Season and Transfers

Transfers :-

I knew I had to strengthen some areas in the squad . While the defence was stacked up the midfield wasn’t deep and simply put some player’s were not good enough. Working with the scouting staff we discussed a few names. In the end we decided to go for Ruben Pardo from Real Sociedad , Roberto Pereyra from Udinese . Otavio from Internacional came on a loan deal with a option to buy . Ruben cost us a lot but I am sure he is worth it. I see him as my successor in my current deep lying playmaker role. Roberto will provide competition to Coutinho. I brought in Balanta to replace Agger. It was a difficult decision. Agger was 29 and at his prime but Manchester City’s offer of 30 million was too good to resist. The other important departure was Joe Allen. Quite frankly I did not see a place for him in my future sides. He hadn’t proved his worth in the last season when Brandan had put his faith into him. Brad Jones looked quite poor in preseason but Mignolet was solid. But Antonio Adan was available on free and Brad Jones left on a loan to Bournemouth. I loaned out a few youngsters for the first half of the season . It would be ideal to see them have some playing time in the lower leagues.

Pre-Season :-

There is just one word to describe the pre-season – fantastic. The guys played some good football and while it was obviously against smaller teams I got good idea which players were accepting my approach to the game. Lucas has been very impressive and so Pereyra who has seamlessly integrated into the team. Simon Mignolet remained unbeaten throughout the pre-season. I have my doubts over Iago Aspas , Andre Wisdom and Aly Cissokho. They haven’t performed well during the preseason. And while Aspas and Cissokho are new signings , Wisdom has a whole Premier League season under his belt. Their performance will be analysed by me and the new Assistant Rodolfo Borrell . Rodolfo has been at the club since the Benitez era and he was more than happy to accept the job. He is quite experienced and I have known him for a long time. There also a lot of changes to the scouting system.

great update!

Nice preseason results but there's nothing like league competition. I know who exactly none of those guys are.

I do think you overspent on some players and great fee for agger but not to a rival team. if it had been a team abroad yeah definitely

Great update!

Doing very well, keep at it! This story has potential to become big! Good luck.

2013-11-05 14:48#141975 15Marty : great update!

Thanks!

2013-11-05 15:01#141977 ebEliminator : Nice preseason results but there's nothing like league competition. I know who exactly none of those guys are.

I know . I usually play against weaker teams in pre-season and you test my tactics :-)

2013-11-05 16:47#141993 pompeyblue : Great update!

Thank you!

2013-11-05 22:23#142061 AaronHJFT96 : Doing very well, keep at it! This story has potential to become big! Good luck.

I'm glad you think so Aaron :-)

2013-11-05 16:25#141989 patrick1 : I do think you overspent on some players and great fee for agger but not to a rival team. if it had been a team abroad yeah definitely

Yes. I overspent on Ruben but he was one player I really wanted for the team. Agger was sold to finance that move and the only offer was from City so I had no choice

Liverpool started their Premier League season in style with a victory over a determined Stoke side . While the Stoke defence was carved upon a numerous occasion , debutant Aspas who was leading the side in absence of Luis Suarez , failed to convert any of the chances leading to a miserable first display in front of the away crowd .



Liverpool’s attempt at goal were thwarted constantly but the excellent Begovic . But his defence was breached from a Steven Gerrard corner which was powered to goal by new – singing Mamadou Sakho , whose header was deflected by Chris Solly resulting in the well deserved goal .

“ It is a good result against Stoke. We have to consider the fact that the Britannia Stadium is one of the most difficult venues to play at.” said Steven Gerrard , Liverpool Captain and Manger .He added “ We still have to improve a lot. Especially in finishing off the game. More often than not it is the difference between a win and a draw. But I am happy with my team as they remained focused until the end of the match ”

Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher and banned striker Luis Suarez were in attendance at the Britannia Stadium. Stoke assistant manager Mark Hughes conceded that the result could have been much worse without the heroics of Begovic. “The team tried their best and did not lose their confidence . Begovic was excellent and kept us in the game”

Liverpool’s next encounter will be against Swansea at Anfield on the 25th at Anfield .

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Manger’s Notes :- Tactics

After some 8 matches in charge I am getting to know how the team is responding to my tactics. I am going to prefer a 4 – 2 – 3 – 1 formation with no winger’s but three attacking midfielders . Behind them Lucas will provide defensive cover and I will have the job of recycling the ball from deep while keeping my defensive discipline. The formation will look somewhat like this

The plan is to play attacking football while not leaving the defence is shambles. A lot of focus will be put on creating chances from the front ‘3’. An other formation I will be using sparingly will be

When Suarez eventually returns we will have two quality striker who have shown how well they complement each other during the last season. The task on creating chances will fall on mainly on the AM and sparingly on the third midfielder.

While I was quite happy with my tactic’s , Rodolfo pointed out that the team will lack width in any of the formations I had suggested. It was an important issue but I still have faith in them. But I will also consider the tactic he has suggested.

That's an interesting formation in the middle, and a nice smash-and-grab against Stoke.