Liverpool, You'll Never Walk Alone!

There has been lots of speculation over who is to be the next Liverpool manager, and the man to take over the reigns, has finally emerged from the darkness as Steven Gerrard. Captain, and Liverpool legend, Gerrard will now take a step forward in his career by becoming player, captain and manager all at the same time.

Gerrard has signed a 2 year deal with Liverpool and John Henry tells us that he is very excited by the prospect of being led into battle by Steven. Gerrard is also obviously very excited at managing the club he followed as a child. Many of the players have taken to twitter to congratulate their teammate, and show their appreciation for him. The most notable being Daniel Aggers'

@Daniel_Agger5 What an amazing appointment. From player, to captain, to manager. Is there anything he can't do? I am thinking to far ahead...Still, Good luck Stevie, see you in training!! #YNWA

Gerrard and John Henry met with the press this morning to discuss his appointment, and here is a chunk of what they both revealed to us.

Gerrard: "I'm gobsmacked really. I wasn't expecting it at all. I am deeply upset by what has happened to Brendan. I genuinely can't believe it. He'll go down in my books as a Liverpool legend though. He has brought the glory days back to Liverpool, and I can't thank him enough, he'll go down in history as a Liverpool great, because of just last year. I'm glad John chose me to take over though, as this means I can carry on what Brendan started. Say it was some foreigner who was hired...He wouldn't have the same motivation as I do to avenge Rodgers' career."

"Although...Saying that, him coming back into management is not out of the question. I really do hope he gets his wish to come back to management, because he is a top top top top top manager, and it's a big loss for the world of football. He could have and if he returns, still can be one od the greats, for sure."

Henry: "I just want to thank Steven for co-operating with us. We were truly broken when we heard the news of Brendan, but now we're hoping that this could be a sign which shows us fixing a small part of the problem."

The next step is to get some more players in, and get off to a good start in the league. That is our priority. We can't look back now, what's done is done and we have to push on for glory. It's what Brendan wants so we'll give him it."

Liverpool fans will get to see Steven in action as manager against Preston very soon too. It's not long before the start of pre-season, where he'll be able to test his skills against the likes of Sunderland, Preston, Quingdao, and henan, before going into two cup finals before the Premier League starts.

As long as he gets off to a good start competitively, he can be a fantastic manager, and Liverpool fans will have even more reason to love him.

Big twist. Love it Keep it up!

Great twist, this will be fun. Looking forward to next update

@Justice - hahahahahahahahaha

Anyway, good twist, and good luck being Gerrard!

OUFC:: Cheers mate

Dialsquare: Cheers lad, enjoy

Niko: C'mon man...You're meant to be on our side :o

Tallery: Cheers, I'll try my best!

Nice twist there! Interesting to see how Stevie G takes Liverpool forward

Not a day has been wasted in this new era for Liverpool, as new player-manager Steven Gerrard has already made two new signings, which have shown his preference toward bolstering the defense. While two come in though, two have departed the club for a combined fee of £17.25M.

Martin Skrtel, has taken his chances and moved onto AS Monaco, for £7.75M. We understand that Skrtel actually requested the move himself, after a season of sitting on the bench, it seems the centre back has finally opened up about his frustrations and after seven long years with the Reds, he will finally move on to take on a new challenge in League 1.

Joe Allen also moves on from Liverpool, but to a Premier League rival. Arsenal. And that's not the biggest surprise. What left us all in shock is that even after a season of just sitting on the bench like Skrtel, Gerrard has managed to squeeze £9.5M out of the Gunners, for a player that started just one single game all season for Liverpool.

The exciting part though, is who Liverpool have brought in. As the title suggests, it is two signings that can help to strengthen Liverpool's back line. They're both really young, and considered big talents for the future. The first is Samuel Umtiti from France, who will join the club to partner with the likes of Agger, Subotic, and Mamadou Sakho in the heart of Liverpool's defense. The ex Lyon defender will cost Liverpool £12.25M and 36.5K p/w.

Umtiti, started his career with Lyon, and only took a season to impress the first team coaches, as he made his debut in his second season at the club. In the same season he went onto make 12 appearances for his side, and then in the next two seasons, made those 12 apps, 68 scoring 1 goal and notching 1 assist to his name.

The second signing is a defensive midfielder from Porto. Diego Reyes! After just one season with the Portuguese side, in which he made 27 apps, 1 goal, 10 assists and 2 man of the match awards, he has moved on for nearly £15M to the North West of England.

The Mexican has made 115 appearances in total, so he isn't short of experience, however he has only played for América in Mexico and Porto, so whilst he might have bags of games under his name, he hasn't played anywhere near the level of the Premier League. If you're not counting the few Europa League games he has played in.

Reports are also emerging that Steven Gerrard & Ian Ayre will be holding talks with Sáo Paulo FC from Brazil to discus the signing of Ewandro, an 18 year old striker from Brazil, who could cost Liverpool up to £8M.
Ewandro, believe it or not, at just 18 years old has scored 13 goals in 15 games for Sáo Paulo, and it's no wonder Liverpool are interested. Manchester United, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid and Barcelona are just a few of the many clubs keeping tabs on the player.

An interesting couple of signings and a great twist with Gerrard becoming manager. Keep it up.

In just a few days, you have really stepped up the quality in this story that bit more, well done!
Great twist with Gerrard as manager now and some good signings so far, as you say let's hope you can top last seasons achievements

Expectedly, Steven Gerrars has taken his time to make the decision, but today he has announced that the World Cup will have been his final few appearances for England. The England skipper led the three lions into what was a very exciting tournament as our country made it all the way the the semi finals. Germany however, were there to stop us from reaching what would have been a dream, the World Cup Final.

Germany, knocked England out of the World Cup on penalties, and actually went on to win the tournament against Argentina in a 3-2 victory.

It comes as no surprise to see that Gerrard has finally announced his retirement from the international stage, as the scouse has just been appointed Liverpool player-manager. So understandably, it's going to be pretty tough to juggle all three jobs, and it seems that is not what he is prepared to do.

Its a tough job balancing International football and club football out. Travelling away for a big friendly against for example; Italy. Is not easy when you're in the middle of a title race. So now that I am a manager, I Sam going to retire from the international stage. When the international break is upon us, I can't be going away with another team and playing. I have to be at the club, sorting transfers, game plans, and all that kind of jazz.

I would like to now simply take this time out to say my thank you's and good bye's to the staff, players, and managers that have helped my international career to become great! Thank you!

Gerrard will be playing for Liverpool next season as well as managing them, so don't be mistaken, he will be staying on playing football for the time being. It's the end of an era though for England. Without Gerrard, who will they look to, to become their leader?

That is an amazing picture, really fits the update! Wow, perfect placement, high quality photograph, well done!

2014-07-21 16:34#185522 Neal : That is an amazing picture, really fits the update! Wow, perfect placement, high quality photograph, well done!

Hahaha

Good update tho

Neal: I think it really fits the bill. Top notch from me there

Tallery: Cheers bud

Did you have inside knowledge on Gerrard retiring today? great twist mate. Keep it up!