I will be playing this save as the club I support - Liverpool FC. I have supported Liverpool since my early childhood, but living 172 miles is away is a real inconvenience. People ask me how I came to support the club. With none of my family members supporting the club (instead opting to show their support to London clubs like Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea), some of my friends think it odd that I didn't take a shining to the same clubs.
Lately, the blue half of Merseyside has stepped up in its efforts to match its local rivals - and some would say that the two sides are equal now. I am not one of these fans that hate other clubs (other than sections of Manchester United and Chelsea support) so I hold no grudges against Everton. In this story, however, I will of course be looking to push ahead of The Toffees and, hopefully instantly bring back "European Nights" to Anfield. It will be near impossible to match the likes of Bob Paisley and Bill Shankly in terms of managerial ability, but I hope that during this story, I can establish my managers' name as one of the best to manage Liverpool.
Lately, the blue half of Merseyside has stepped up in its efforts to match its local rivals - and some would say that the two sides are equal now. I am not one of these fans that hate other clubs (other than sections of Manchester United and Chelsea support) so I hold no grudges against Everton. In this story, however, I will of course be looking to push ahead of The Toffees and, hopefully instantly bring back "European Nights" to Anfield. It will be near impossible to match the likes of Bob Paisley and Bill Shankly in terms of managerial ability, but I hope that during this story, I can establish my managers' name as one of the best to manage Liverpool.
My manager for this story will be current Liverpool boss, Brendan Rodgers. The Northern Irish manager came into slight criticism from the Liverpool faithful last season for the teams' performance. A 7th place finish was not enough to earn a Europa League spot, as Swansea City had won the Capital One Cup months earlier, ensuring a spot for themselves, and leaving Liverpool fans devastated. The 41-year-old was praised by many for his transfer policy, however, notably after bringing in English striker Daniel Sturridge from Chelsea, and Phillipe Coutinho, nicknamed David Blaine by his team-mates due to his wonderful skill and trickery. Both transfers, made in the January transfer window, were labelled as bargains at the end of the season, once the skill and ability of the two players had been shown since their arrival at the club.
Rodgers is one of the youngest managers in the top flight, and still has plenty to learn. He was hired by Chelsea manager José Mourinho in 2004 as head youth coach, and was later promoted to reserve team manager. In 2008, he made his first venture into football management. He led Watford to a 13th place finish in the Sky Bet Championship (at the time, the Npower Championship) after it had looked as though The Hornets were going to be relegated. Weeks after ensuring their survival, however, Rodgers joined his former team, Reading. He was unsuccessful during his spell at The Madejski Stadium, and left by mutual consent, with The Royals lingering just one place ahead of the relegation zone.
A successful time at Swansea City, in which Rodgers led the Welsh side to the Premier League, and in his, and the clubs' first season in the top flight, they managed an impressive 11th place finish. Then came the turning point in his career. Kenny Dalglish was sacked from Liverpool following a very disappointing return to Anfield, and in came Rodgers. May a new legacy begin.
