Rodgers' Reds: Class is Permanent

As compared to previous years, this season's Champions League Semi Finals possess more diversity, with clubs from England, France and Italy remaining in the prestigious tournament. The Quarter Finals brought some exciting games, but the competition is only set to heat up from here, as the race to be crowned kings of Europe is reduced to just four participants.

Teams

Liverpool
Manchester United
Roma
Paris Saint-Germain


Despite Arsenal's visible improvements since Jurgen Klopp took over this year, the mighty Gunners were still unable to overcome a far superior Manchester United, who sealed their entry into the Semi Finals with two narrow victories in two legs. At the Emirates, Juan Mata scored the only goal of the game and the Red Devils finished the job at Old Trafford as Adnan Januzaj and Falcao both netted.

Meanwhile, Memphis Depay's superb free kick was enough for PSG as the Qatari-owned club celebrated a surprise 0-1 win over Chelsea in their own backyard. In the second leg, it was Depay who came flying to the rescue again with an early goal. Romelu Lukaku pulled one back for his side just minutes later but the Blues were ultimately unable to find a winning goal as PSG successfully advanced to the Semi Finals of the Champions League for the second time in the club's history.

It's certainly going to be an interesting tie as both sides are desperate to win the Champions League title - United are searching for their fifth European Cup, while their French opponents have not won it even once.

A potential Champions League Final clash against rivals Liverpool may serve as motivation for Joachim Low's squad to get past PSG. United captain Falcao, 35, is also set to leave the club at the end of the season when his contract expires and there would be no better way to send the fan favorite off than with a Champions League win.


Barcelona recorded a 3-1 win over their Italian counterparts at the Camp Nou, but that still proved inadequate for the side boasting talents such as Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez, for Roma had crushed the Catalan giants 4-0 in the first leg thanks to Mario Mandzukic's 61-minute opener and a quickfire hat trick from Abel Hernandez.

Fellow Spanish slayers Liverpool also sent Real Madrid packing after recording a 9-2 aggregate win, with Merseyside hero Raheem Sterling reinforcing his legendary status at Anfield by scoring a magnificent number of six goals over the two legs.

Age-old adversaries who faced each other in the 1984 European Cup Final, Liverpool and Roma have been drawn to battle it out against each other once more. The Giallorossi have always been on the losing end - they were defeated 4-2 on penalties in the aforementioned cup final, and more recently, in the Champions League Quarter Finals three years ago.

But Carlo Ancelotti being in charge may be the catalyst for Roma this season, and the team as a whole have improved ever since the last meeting with their English rivals. On the other hand, Liverpool have also recruited key players like Jeronimo Rulli and Pavel Savitskiy, which only makes it harder to predict a result.

Roma full-back Jon Flanagan is also in line for a first-time return to Liverpool. The defender moved to Italy in 2018, and has established himself as an important squad member ever since with 92 appearances so far in the Serie A.

Oo, surely a place in the Final is on the cards here. A great update

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Liverpool are set to compete in their fourth Champions League Final in five years after getting rid of Semi Final opponents Roma with a 5-0 aggregate win.

Carlo Ancelotti's maiden Champions League campaign with the Giallorossi was tipped to go far, and many pointed out that if anyone could plot a flawless victory for Roma, that person would be former player-turned-manager Ancelotti, famous for his Champions League exploits while in charge of teams like Real Madrid and Milan.

In truth, Roma failed to cause even a tiny bit of trouble for Liverpool, as the eight-time European Cup winners completely dominated the tie.

In the first leg, Brendan Rodgers' men ran rampant at the Stadio Olimpico, and inevitably took the lead through Samuel Umtiti's header. The center-back came close to his second goal just five minutes later as his shot hit the post, but James Ward-Prowse was there to pounce on the rebound.

Richairo Zivkovic wrapped up the game with a brilliant effort just outside the box that beat Roma goalkeeper Mattia Perin.


The second leg was not much different, although the star of the show switched to Mario Balotelli, who, after an ineffective performance in the 3-0 rout, was raring to go.

The forward made his presence known throughout the 90 minutes and was a nightmare for opposing left-back Nicola Murru to handle. Just 7 minutes in, he had scored with a tap-in after watching his initial shot being punched away by Perrin.

Rodgers' decision to shift the winger up front after 69 minutes was perhaps welcomed by Murru, who had endured a torrid afternoon against his Italian compatriot, but it proved to be the right move as Balotelli's second goal came almost immediately, as he let fly from 20 yards for his 20th goal of the season.

The result sends Liverpool into their eleventh Champions League Final, against unlikely opponents Paris Saint-Germain.

Hopes of a Liverpool versus Manchester United clash were dashed after PSG managed to beat the Red Devils on away goals in an exciting fixture that ended 1-1.


"It was a big, big win," said Rodgers, following the end of the second leg. "Personally, I was very impressed with the performance and I am confident that the lads can keep this up until the season ends."

This year, the Millennium Stadium in Wales will host the Final for the first time in the competition's history, and the Liverpool boss is looking forward to the occasion.

"The Millennium Stadium is a fantastic venue to host the Champions League Final. I have not got the chance to manage a team playing there yet, so this will be a first for me as well."

The 48-year-old was also quick to warn of complacency dangers and the quality within PSG's expensive squad.

"A lot of people may have expected our opponents in the Champions League Final to be Manchester United but Paris Saint-Germain are a very good side.

"They have many players who have been immense, players who can make a difference and we are going to have to play very well if we want to win.

"It would be disastrous to start thinking that we've won before the match, especially against a good team like PSG."


PSG manager Laurent Blanc also had a few words of his own, speaking directly after his side pulled off their triumph over United.

"This is going to be a very historical year for Paris Saint-Germain as it's going to be the first Champions League Final that the club is competing in.

"Of course we want to top that off by winning it and I have a lot of belief that the Champions League title is something we can achieve regardless of who our opponents are."

PSG have actually beaten Liverpool once this season, in a friendly just before the Premier League kicked off for it's 2020/21 edition.

Vincent Aboubakar scored 4 goals in a narrow 4-3 win with the Reds almost mounting a comeback after Pavel Savitskiy's early goal and two more late ones from Zivkovic and David Alaba.

However, it is almost certainly not going to be that easy for Aboubakar and PSG in the upcoming Champions League Final. Still, the Cameroon international will have to be watched closely by Reds defenders considering he has smashed in 24 goals so far this season.

2015-07-15 19:09#216315 LFC : Oo, surely a place in the Final is on the cards here. A great update

You were right Thanks!

Wow, PSG have yet to reach the CL Final, until right now.. Let's all take a moment to laugh at PSG. HAHAHAHAHAHAH

2015-07-16 00:29#216336 Pauker : Wow, PSG have yet to reach the CL Final, until right now.. Let's all take a moment to laugh at PSG. HAHAHAHAHAHAH

They are pretty shit in this game tbh, they do some pretty good transfers though

As the curtains fell on the Premier League, Liverpool recorded a 105-point tally, exactly 20 points clear of 2nd-placed Manchester United. It isn't over yet though, with Rodgers' men still having the Champions League Final to contest against Paris Saint-Germain.

Liverpool May Player of the Month

Mario Balotelli was struggling for a first team place in the opening months of the season, but the 30-year-old has well and truly been on fire recently. Super Mario helped Liverpool to end their successful title campaign with a bang, scoring in every Premier League fixture this month as well as a brace against Roma in the Champions League.

Injury Report

Raheem Sterling - 2 months (hip injury)

Everyone associated with Paris Saint-Germain will be breathing a sigh of relief, after the confirmation that Sterling will miss the Champions League Final due to a hip injury suffered this month. He is set to have a lengthy period on the sidelines but will return to action before the start of the new season.

Manager's Thoughts

There is no better way to end your season with an unbeaten run and we've done just that. Now we'll have to start looking at the Champions League Final because I'm under no illusions that it's going to be a tough game. For Sterling to miss it is a big blow for us already, although I'm certain that there are others who will step up in his absence. Anyway, onward to our ninth European Cup... hopefully!

Another amazing month, wow...

Good luck in the Final! What month!

2015-07-16 17:29#216368 LFC : Another amazing month, wow...

2015-07-16 23:46#216392 Pauker : Good luck in the Final! What month!

Thanks! What month, yes.

Reigning league champions Liverpool dominated the Premier League awards, picking up five honors and also having seven of their players named in the PFA Team of the Year XI.


Jeronimo Rulli picks up his third consecutive Golden Glove after keeping 21 clean sheets this season. The Argentine stopper conceded just 15 goals in 35 appearances for Liverpool and finishes ahead of Manchester United's David de Gea & Manchester City's Joe Hart, with 20 and 18 clean sheets respectively.


Mario Balotelli clinches the Goal of the Season with his magnificent effort in a 3-0 win over Tottenham back in April. Fed by Jordan Henderson, the Italian proceeded to strike a curling shot from way outside the box to beat several defenders and Spurs keeper Hugo Lloris.


Romelu Lukaku wins the Golden Boot after scoring an impressive number of 33 goals in 37 games. The Blues striker's first full season in his second Chelsea spell has yielded massive results, leaving Everton's Michael Lukunku, on loan from Arsenal, and Liverpool's Richairo Zivkovic trailing in his wake both of whom have 23 and 20 goals respectively.


It's a fifth Manager of the Year award for Brendan Rodgers after the celebrated Northern Irishman guided his Liverpool side to finish with 105 points for the second season in a row.


Liverpool captain James Ward-Prowse is the FWA Footballer of the Year, after lifting yet another Premier League title. The influential midfielder was present in all 38 games throughout the season, scoring 8 goals and assisting 12.


Pavel Savitskiy takes the PFA Player of the Year after ending his first full season as a Liverpool player with 10 goals and 10 assists in 27 appearances.


Henry Charnock is the recipient of the PFA Young Player of the Year award. The 22-year-old forward moved to Manchester City from Arsenal in January and totaled 15 goals in 29 appearances for both teams this season.

Welcome to Cardiff! Or more specifically, the Millennium Stadium, home to the Wales national football team. But today, it will be graced by two clubs dishing it out to be granted the title of Europe's greatest.

Liverpool experienced Champions League disappointment last season, but are back with a bang and their hunt for a ninth European Cup comes to an end today, but will it be a happy ending? That remains to be seen, although the Reds are clearly the favorites for this encounter.

Their opponents, Paris Saint-Germain, have dominated Ligue 1 this season and are improving with each year, culminating in their first Champions League Final appearance today.

There is no doubt that both sides are going to give their all in fighting for that Champions League title, and it is almost certain that a grand game of football awaits us.


Drawn into Group D with underdogs Basel, Cesena, and eventual fellow finalist Liverpool, PSG totaled 4 wins in 6 games. However, it was Liverpool that they simply couldn't get past, drawing twice against the English giants in as many games, and as a result finished second in Group D on goal difference alone.

Undeterred, PSG ventured into the knockout rounds, drawing Juventus as their first opponents. Thanks to a spectacular 3-0 win at Parc des Princes, a 1-3 loss in Turin did not matter as Juve were surprisingly eliminated. Chelsea came knocking in the Quarter Finals, but outstanding defensive performances secured PSG's advancement. It was the same story in the Semi Finals, as Manchester United found no way past. At the end of the day, a single away goal from Memphis Depay was enough for PSG to worm their way into the Champions League Final.


Starting 11: Sirigu; De Sciglio, Desabato, Nastasic, Rodriguez; Koke, Verratti, Kranevitter, Florenzi, Depay; Aboubakar
Subs: Blake, Nyom, Boukhiar, Leiva, Cartabia, Cavani, Salles


The untimely injuries of star center-back Ricardinho and vice-captain Javi Martinez are two big blows for Paris Saint-Germain. The absence of his squad's best players has perhaps led manager Laurent Blanc into electing for a slightly more defensive formation. Vincent Aboubakar, who has had a decent return of 24 goals in 40 games this season, will be looking to add to his tally after being chosen to start up front in favor of PSG captain Edinson Cavani, while Memphis Depay and Koke are two other dangerous presences. 23-year-old defender Mauro Desabato will take Ricardinho's place in defense alongside Matija Nastasic, and knowing Liverpool's fluid attacking play, the young Argentine is going to have plenty of work to do.


Liverpool started their journey to reclaim the Champions League crown by topping Group D on goal difference after two wins each against Cesena and Basel. Their opponents on tonight's occasion, PSG, held them to two draws in two games, and Rodgers' men will have to break them down fully this time with a Champions League title at stake.

An easy First Knockout Round draw against Zenit resulted in Liverpool crushing the Russian side 7-2. Real Madrid failed to challenge in the Quarter Finals as two superb Raheem Sterling hat tricks eliminated the ten-times winners. Following Real was in-form Roma, but the recently-crowned Serie A champions could not do much to the triumphant Reds and were crushed 5-0.


Starting 11: Rulli; Clyne, Umtiti, Balanta, Alaba; Romero, Moreyra, Savitskiy; Ward-Prowse, Sharp; Balotelli
Subs: Steele, Joseph, Papadopoulos, Henderson, Skinner, Coutinho, Zivkovic


Just as PSG's star player is missing from today's game, Liverpool have Raheem Sterling out injured. As a replacement for the number 7, Rodgers has made the peculiar decision to shift his captain James Ward-Prowse out of position onto the wing, while Alejandro Moreyra drops back into central midfield for Ernie Sharp to start in the number 10 role. Mario Balotelli, usually found on the right, will lead the attack after having his position taken by Ward-Prowse. Richairo Zivkovic, who has just recovered from a sprained ankle, is still struggling for fitness but the Dutchman may be introduced late into the game from the bench.

0' - The referee's whistle blows to start the game and Liverpool will kick off the 2021 Champions League Final.

10' - Ernie Sharp, what a player! The attacking midfielder nutmegs Matis Kranevitter, to the delight of the Liverpool fans around the stadium, before dribbling past Matija Nastasic to have an effort at goal. Salvatore Sirigu comes to his side's rescue though, diving left to save the ball.

37' - GOAL! After dominating for 37 minutes, Liverpool finally find their first goal, and it comes in the form of Mario Balotelli! Pavel Savitskiy plays a pinpoint pass for his Italian colleague from the left, and Balotelli has no problems using his left foot to power a shot past Sirigu.


45' - HT: PSG 0-1 Liverpool. We go into half-time with little action to speak about so far, aside from Balotelli's goal putting Liverpool ahead. It's been all Liverpool possession-wise so far, but there's still another 45 minutes for PSG to turn this around.

45' - We kick off the second half here at the Millennium Stadium, and PSG have it all to do. Nahuel Leiva and Edinson Cavani will both come on in place of Marco Verratti and Alessandro Florenzi, with Laurent Blanc switching up tactics to adopt a more offensive style.

45' - Blanc's half-time changes are looking to be paying off as PSG test Jeronimo Rulli for the first time tonight. Cavani's through ball finds Leiva, who breaks the offside trap and is clear of any defender. However, the Argentine is unable to beat compatriot Rulli, who is able to parry his strike with ease.

48' - So close! Savitskiy hits a cross to James Ward-Prowse, whose left-footed volley is stopped by Sirigu's fantastic save. Mauro Desabato just barely clears it off the line.

52' - Sharp knocks a lovely little ball for Balotelli, but Sirigu pulls off yet another save to deny his Italy teammate.

53' - Liverpool press on and appear intent on challenging Sirigu again and again. Sharp and Balotelli link up again, but the latter cannot get his shot on target.

55' - Moreyra dances through PSG's defense and finds Sharp, who manages to test Sirigu but is ultimately unsuccessful in extending Liverpool's lead.

56' - GOAL! Liverpool's persistence pays off! Sharp's long ball rolls past Imad Boukhiar and Koke, seeking out Balotelli. The number 45 rounds past Nastasic before firing away for his second goal, finally beating Sirigu.


68' - Moreyra goes off for Richairo Zivkovic to make his Champions League Final appearance, moving two-goal hero Balotelli back onto his preferred right wing and dropping Ward-Prowse back into the center of midfield.

80' - PENALTY! Nastasic has had a terrible time trying to contain Balotelli, and the former Manchester City defender is made the fall guy again after he takes down the Italian forward in the box. That almost looked like a dive, but the referee has no hesitation in pointing to the spot!

80' - GOAL! No mistake. Balotelli will be going home with not only a Champions League medal, but also the match ball after tucking away the penalty to complete his hat trick!


83' - GOAL! What an asbolute game this is turning out to be for Balotelli! Nathaniel Clyne rushes in from the right to provide a lob that reaches the Anfield icon, and he just smashes it into the bottom corner for his fourth goal of the game! Excellent, simply excellent!

87' - Balotelli, looking for more, has a powerful effort again from the right after a Ward-Prowse corner, but Sirigu is able to tip it wide.

88' - GOAL! No flipping way! That's another one! Balotelli gets to Ward-Prowse's cross and calmly lets the ball drop, superb finishing ensues and a second later Sirigu is picking the ball out from the back of the net. Five goals, I repeat, five bloody goals! The Liverpool fans are all going completely wild, and rightfully so!

90' - FT: PSG 0-5 Liverpool. And what a game that turned out to be. The Champions League Final has become the Mario Balotelli show as Liverpool claim their ninth European Cup, and this match is sure to go down in history as one of the legendary forward's greatest performances in a red jersey...

Wow, great writing and what a crushing performance! Congratulations on the title!

2015-07-18 03:04#216458 Cakar : Wow, great writing and what a crushing performance! Congratulations on the title!

Thanks Cakar!

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Brendan Rodgers has put pen to paper on a two-year extension to his Liverpool contract, just days after guiding the club to their ninth Champions League title.

The 48-year-old's original contract was due to expire at the end of the month and he had rejected proposals from the club to renew it at the start of the season, with many believing that he was ready to start a new challenge.

However, it appears that Rodgers will be staying for at least two more years until 2023, and if he does see out his new contract, he will celebrate his tenth season in charge next year having been appointed Liverpool manager in 2012.

In nine years, Rodgers has propelled Liverpool back to the top of English football, winning 21 trophies and 5 Premier League titles.

Understandably, he is adored by the Anfield faithful, with many hailing the Northern Irishman as the second coming of Bill Shankly, arguably the most celebrated Liverpool manager in history after his tenure between 1959 and 1974.

Liverpool fans have plenty to cheer about this season, after watching their team go on to secure the Premier League and Champions League titles, and Rodgers agreeing to stay on will put their only worries to bed.


"I'm very happy to be able to confirm I will be staying," said the Reds boss, in an exclusive interview with LFCTV. "I love this club and I didn't feel that I was ready to leave just yet."

However, the legendary manager could still be on the move in the future after refusing to rule out the possibilities beyond the expiry of his new deal.

"I'm just glad that everything has been sorted for the short term," Rodgers replied, when asked if this would be his last Liverpool contract. "The long term? We will have to see about that. Anything can happen and I will cross that bridge when I come to it.

"I have won everything there is to win with Liverpool and sometimes in life you have to keep going forward. I am very interested in testing my managerial abilities elsewhere, perhaps in a different nation and a foreign league.

"But that is a story for another time. Right now I am one hundred percent.committed to Liverpool and maintaining our status as the best team in the world."


Rodgers' words have sparked speculation that taking a job in other European leagues, such as the Bundesliga or La Liga, could still be on the cards for the experienced manager. He has been courted by Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund in recent times.

Liverpool and England winger Raheem Sterling also expressed his delight at the news as he praised Rodgers as the best manager he has ever worked with.

"I just heard about it and I'm happy to know the gaffer is gonna be staying," said the Reds number 7 on the club's official website. "He's the best manager I've worked with so far in my career and it's fair to say he's played a big part in helping me become the player I am today.

"He is a very important part of this football club. If a new manager comes in, can he replicate the success that we've already enjoyed under Brendan? Maybe, but I don't think so.

"There is no one better in man management and getting the best out of his players, so yeah, this is very good news for everyone involved with Liverpool."

Surprisingly, there is no pay rise included within the contract extension, with Rodgers set to be earning the same wages of £72k per week.