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Rodgers' Reds: Class is Permanent

The journey of Brendan Rodgers as he aims to bring Liverpool back to where they belong.
Started on 14 January 2015 by Glenn T
Latest Reply on 28 October 2015 by Maximus
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Wooooo congrats!
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2015-06-02 04:22#214051 Justice : Wooooo congrats!

Thanks!

Balotelli's Golden Shoe




Liverpool forward Mario Balotelli has been awarded the 2018/19 European Golden Shoe, after firing his side to the Premier League title with 30 goals in 34 appearances.

The Reds icon has been in impressive form and managed to beat Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo and Norwich's Giovanni Simeone, both of whom have 25 and 24 goals respectively.

In winning the award, Balotelli becomes only the second ever Liverpool player after Ian Rush to have done so, and the first since 1984.

In all competitions, Balotelli scored 46 times and helped Liverpool to a quintuple of the Community Shield, the Capital One Cup, the Club World Cup, Premier League title, and the Champions League.



"It's a big achievement and a great bonus after all the trophies I've won with Liverpool this season," said Balotelli, speaking to UEFA.com. "But this isn't the end, I want to continue playing well and scoring for as long as my professional career."

The 28-year-old has embedded himself into Liverpool folklore with his goalscoring exploits, and professed a personal love for the club he has served in the last five years.

"It also helps a lot that I love Liverpool and I desperately want Liverpool to do well. This is a great club with the best fans in the world. I really enjoy playing for Liverpool."


Balotelli: "I am very happy at Liverpool and I can see myself staying here for the next decade."

He also responded to rumors of Real Madrid and Barcelona wanting to tempt him to La Liga. "Of course, I am not surprised that Real Madrid and Barcelona are interested. Big clubs always want to sign the best players.

"But I am very happy at Liverpool and I can see myself staying here for the next decade. At the moment I can't imagine playing for another club and I hope I can still be here in the future."

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has also extended his congratulations to his player, describing his award as "thoroughly deserved".

"It's very nice to see Mario being recognized for his achievements this season. In my opinion, it's thoroughly deserved, because he's been one of the best players in our squad this season and to score 30 goals is not something that's easily doable.

"It's going to be a stepping stone to even bigger things and I'm sure he can continue to outdo himself next year."

Aside from the European Golden Shoe, Balotelli was also involved in the Best Player in Europe award where he came in third place behind winner Eden Hazard and runner-up Lionel Messi.

Liverpool Awards 2018/19

Liverpool repeated their quintuple feat of last year, amassing five trophies once again, this time in the form of the Community Shield, the Club World Cup, the Capital One Cup, and the Premier League & Champions League titles. The Liverpool team really upped their game this season, scoring 115 goals in 38 league games, and the players will be celebrated in the club's annual awards night.

Top Goalscorer - Mario Balotelli



Mario Balotelli scored an overwhelming number of 46 goals in 58 appearances this season, winning the European Golden Shoe. His 30 goals in 34 league games also won him the Premier League's Golden Boot.

Top Assists - Raheem Sterling



Raheem Sterling is the Liverpool player with the most assists this season, setting up no less than 32 goals.

Fans' Player of the Year - Mario Balotelli



Mario Balotelli takes the Fans' Player of the Year for the second time after an exceptional season where he scored 46 goals and assisted another 20.

Best Eleven

GK - Jeronimo Rulli
RB - Nathaniel Clyne
CB - Samuel Umtiti
CB - Eder Alvarez Balanta
LB - David Alaba
DMC - Yannis Aubry
MC - Philippe Coutinho
ML - James Ward-Prowse
AMR - Raheem Sterling
AMC - Alejandro Moreyra
ST - Mario Balotelli


Watch as Mario wears his golden shoe in matches next season...

Dortmund: We want Rodgers




Borussia Dortmund are chasing down Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers with plans to install him as the next boss at Signal Iduna Park.

The long-serving Jurgen Klopp, who has been in charge of Dortmund since 2008, was relieved of his duties after a poor season where Dortmund finished 6th, a major step down after completing back-to-back title wins in 2017 and 2018.

They were also humiliated in the Champions League against Manchester United in the First Knockout Round after conceding 7 goals to the Red Devils in a single game.

As a result, Klopp's ten-year reign in the Dortmund hot seat was abruptly cut short with impatient club officials deciding to look elsewhere in a bid for further success.

And Rodgers is first on the list of Dortmund president Reinhard Rauball's managerial targets. The 46-year-old has quite a trophy collection at Liverpool and has won 17 winner's medals in his 7 years at the club.


Dortmund want Rodgers to replace the sacked Jurgen Klopp

Rauball is prepared to fly Rodgers to Germany personally for contract talks, and his decision to hire the Ulsterman has been backed by fellow board members.

At Liverpool, Rodgers has already won everything there has to be won, and is said to be tempted at the prospect of a new challenge with Dortmund in the Bundesliga, a league where he has never ventured.

At Die Borussen, he would be given the tough task of rebuilding an underperfoming and aging squad - more than half of Dortmund's first team players are aged 29 and above, with vice-captain Roman Weidenfeller being the oldest of the lot at 38 years old. However, it is well-known that Rodgers relishes difficult challenges.


Dortmund captain Mats Hummels would welcome the appointment of Brendan Rodgers

According to club insiders, Rodgers' appointment would be welcomed by most of the senior players, including team captain Mats Hummels.

The actions of the Dortmund board had led to confusion and anger among most of the senior squad with many understandably disagreeing with Klopp's sacking.

But replacing him with Rodgers could soothe the players as the current Reds manager has earned a reputation of instilling exciting football into his team's play.

Despite Dortmund's interest and Rodgers' apparent interest in a switch of clubs, nothing is confirmed as of yet with both sides still recovering from the end to their respective seasons.

Liverpool have refused to comment on the situation.
A new, yet similar opportunity for Rodgers. We won't know if he's interested just yet but is Glenn interested? ;)
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Seriously the best story i have read in my life, hoping to do a story myself, but can FMScout handle two Glenn's?
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2015-06-02 23:53#214075 Justice : A new, yet similar opportunity for Rodgers. We won't know if he's interested just yet but is Glenn interested? ;)

I might be! ;)

2015-06-03 04:33#214086 Jaminge1993 : Seriously the best story i have read in my life, hoping to do a story myself, but can FMScout handle two Glenn's?

LOL, I'm sure we'll make do. Thank you for the kind words.

Rodgers: Here to Stay




Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has rubbished reports that he is set to leave Anfield, reassuring fans that he is not going anywhere.

The popular Reds boss was said to be ready to take over in the hot seat vacated by Jurgen Klopp at Borussia Dortmund, after a particularly poor season where the club finished 6th just a year after winning the Bundesliga title.

"Dortmund is an interesting job but I'm not done at Liverpool," Rodgers was quoted as saying. "I want to be a part of this club for many years and help it prosper. My work here is not done. There is no way I will leave to manage another club at this point in time.

"I am in charge of one of the world's best clubs so I don't see any reason for change. I'm enjoying my time here."

Liverpool fans will be delighted with Rodgers' latest words. On the contrary, supporters of Dortmund have been left disappointed after entertaining thoughts of having a world class manager at the helm.

Rodgers is known for his tactical awareness and ability to allow his side to play exciting football, and also prefers versatile and fast-paced youngsters over tried and proven veterans. His managerial philosophies would have hugely benefited a Dortmund team that appears to have staled, having just recovered from one of the worst seasons of the Klopp era.


The Liverpool manager has insisted that he will not leave for Dortmund

Dortmund club president Reinhard Rauball will now be forced to turn to other targets and Christian Gross, who is currently in charge of Basel, is the next man on his list.

Liverpool vice-captain Jordan Henderson also spoke to reporters ahead of the club's pre-season tour of South Korea, and applauded his manager's course of action.

"I think it's great that the gaffer has come out and put these rumors to bed," said the 29-year-old. "He's won a lot with us and he's a fantastic manager, so I'm pleased that he's going to be staying.

"To come out publicly and deny the rumors linking him to someplace else is a really good move and shows how much loyalty he has to Liverpool and our fans. Every one of our players should be following his example."

Supporters of the club, all of whom unsurprisingly adore Rodgers, can now rest easy and Liverpool will now focus on the upcoming tour.

The squad is set to fly out to South Korea on the 25th of July and will return to Merseyside on the 5th of August in a trip lasting about three weeks.
how ironic...I hear Brendan is looking forward to having Klopp as his assistant. :P

The Captain Retires




Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has announced his intention to retire from professional football effective immediately, after a season where he made only 3 starts in the Premier League and played 11 games in total.

The 39-year-old still had a year left on his playing contract but has decided to put an end to his long football career after being deemed surplus to requirements by Brendan Rodgers.

Gerrard signs out in style, having won the Champions League, the Capital One Cup, the Club World Cup, the Community Shield, as well as the Premier League title in his final season, despite making just 17 appearances in all competitions.

However, it is not the end of the veteran's love affair with Liverpool, as he has switched roles to take the reigns as manager of the Liverpool Under-21s, where he will be responsible for nurturing the club's young talents.



Gerrard has enjoyed a strong connection with Liverpool since his childhood days, having supported the club as a boy before going on to join it's youth ranks in 1987. His debut soon came in 1998 against Blackburn Rovers.

And in a career that lasted for 21 years, Gerrard made 593 league appearances for Liverpool and scored 132 goals. He is also the club's longest serving captain in history, having worn the captain's armband for 16 years since replacing Sami Hyypiä in 2003.

With Liverpool, he has won 25 trophies and also has plenty of notable personal achievements. In 2005, he placed third in the FIFA Ballon d'Or, as well as winning the PFA Player of the Year in 2006 and the FWA Footballer of the Year in 2009.


Steven Gerrard lifted his first European Cup in 2005 and would go on to win it three more times

"It was a difficult decision for me to make but I think I'm doing the right thing. The older generation has to move on to make room for the younger ones to grow and develop," said Gerrard, in an emotional press conference today. "21 years, it was 21 amazing years playing for Liverpool and it's 21 years that I will never, ever forget.

"There has been many ups and downs, mostly ups in recent years and we can still keep on rising. It's been a crazy few seasons and Brendan has really been working his magic. But, I would like to say that be it in good times or bad times, it felt great to be playing in this red jersey and the feeling of that is something I'm going to miss dearly.

"To put it simply, playing for Liverpool Football Club in these 21 years has been the best part of my life. Thank you to all the managers whom I've played under, the players I've played alongside, and most importantly, the fans."


Gerrard: Playing for Liverpool Football Club in these 21 years has been the best part of my life."

Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher paid tribute to his former captain on Twitter, "Saddened to hear about Stevie's retirement but expected. Mr Liverpool through and through. Well done old friend on an amazing 21 years."

He was not the only one and Carra's words were echoed by both current and former Liverpool players.

Xabi Alonso: "I have never seen, and probably never will see, a player that defines Liverpool as much as Steven Gerrard. He is the face of the club and it's easy to see why. It's an honor to have been able to play alongside someone like him."

Luis Suarez: "For me, he's the captain, not just any captain, but THE captain, the one who left the biggest impression on me in my whole career. For me, it was a pleasure to have him as a teammate and I enjoyed my time with him a lot."

Raheem Sterling: "He has always been a big presence both on and off the field, and he's going to be missed by both the club, the players and the fans. He may just be the best football player to have ever graced the Anfield pitch."

Mario Balotelli: "Ever since I arrived here at Liverpool he's been a massive influence and it definitely won't feel the same without him around us."

Rumors are rife as to who will replace Gerrard as club captain, and it's certainly a role that will take big shoes to fill.

Vice-captain Jordan Henderson is very much the natural choice and fans would be happy with the appointment considering the loyalty that the 29-year-old has displayed to the club, having been a Liverpool player for 8 years since signing on from Sunderland in 2011.

However, second vice-captain James Ward-Prowse could also step up. The 24-year-old has plenty of captaincy experience having taken the armband for almost the entirety of the 2017/18 season due to Henderson suffering from troublesome injuries then and Gerrard not being picked.

Other names being mentioned are star forward Mario Balotelli, full-back Nathaniel Clyne, and recent Golden Glove winner Jeronimo Rulli.
:'(

Pre-Season 2019

In their first pre-season without Steven Gerrard in who-knows-how-many years, Liverpool started with a friendly at Anfield against Primera Division side River Plate before going on a tour of South Korea to meet their fans in Asia.




Pre-Season

Liverpool 2 - 0 River
Ward-Prowse
Skinner


Ulsan 0 - 4 Liverpool
Balotelli
Sterling
Moreyra
Sturridge


Jeonbuk 0 - 1 Liverpool
Sterling


Seongnam 0 - 3 Liverpool
Balotelli
Zivkovic
Turan

Player of Pre-Season



Raheem Sterling has dazzled in South Korea, as he allowed his Asian fans to witness his brilliance close up while he tore into Ulsan Hyundai with a Man of the Match performance, before scoring the winning goal for Liverpool against Jeonbuk.

Manager's Thoughts

Decent pre-season and it was always nice to meet our fans from the other side of the world. This month the real deal starts and we'll be attempting to defend plenty of our trophies. First up is the Community Shield and the UEFA Super Cup, against Chelsea and Arsenal respectively. It's going to be two very tough games so I hope the squad is prepared. Also, I have made my decision regarding the captaincy and I will be announcing it when we return from Korea. Hopefully our new captain can kick on and inspire the club the same way Stevie did.
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