LIVERPOOL F.C.- IT’S TIME TO WAKE UP

When I hear Liverpool FC name, then only thing which comes in my mind is the greatest comeback in the history of Champions league final which held in Istanbul, Turkey. The showpiece event was contested between Liverpool of England and Milan of Italy at the Atatürk Stadium in Istanbul, Turkey on 25 May 2005. Liverpool, who had won the competition four times, was appearing in their sixth final, and their first since 1985. Milan, who had won the competition six times, was appearing in their second final in three years and tenth overall.

Milan was regarded as favourites before the match and took the lead within the first minute through Captain Paolo Maldini. Milan striker Hernán Crespo added two more goals before half-time to make it 3–0. In the second half Liverpool launched a comeback and scored three goals in a dramatic six-minute spell to level the scores at 3–3, with goals from Steven Gerrard, Vladimír Šmicer and Xabi Alonso. The scores remained the same during extra time, and a penalty shoot-out was required to decide the champions. The score was 3–2 to Liverpool when Andriy Shevchenko's penalty was saved by Liverpool goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek. Thus Liverpool won their fifth European Cup and the rest is history.

Once again they played Champions league final in 2007 but they lost 2-0 to Milan. After that the presence of the Reds in the European competition slowly vanished. The transfer of Xabi Alonso to Real Madrid and the goal scoring machine Fernando Torres to their rival Chelsea created a difficult path for Liverpool to comeback in European competition. After that final in 2007 against Milan, Liverpool was not able to compete for top 4 positions in English Premier League. Now it’s time to wake up the sleeping giants of the English football to conquer the Europe again.

Liverpool manager Brandan Rodgers gets no contract renewal after last season.Guiding Liverpool FC to 2nd place in last season and the 5th round defeat in FA cup by Arsenal F.C. was not enough to get the contract extension. Liverpool FC is looking for a potential manager who can replace Brenden Rodgers and takes the Liverpool FC, where it belong. Three managers were shortlisted by the board of Liverpool FC. First one is Thierry Henry who is retired at New York Red Bulls last season and he is ready to start his career as manager. Second one is the veteran player of the Liverpool FC , a finest striker who played 9 season in Liverpool shirt from 1996-2004, is none other than Michael Owen. And the third one is Andre Villas, who won the Champions league final with FC Porto in 2004.

Liverpool FC showed his trust in Thierry Henry and signed a 1 year deal which expires in June 2015. He is an French former footballer who played as a striker for Arsenal, Barcelona, Monaco and New York Red Bulls as well as the France national team. Steven Gerrad was the only player in the current squad of Liverpool FC who played against Thierry Henry. When journalist asked Gerrad about Henry taking the position as head coach, he said “We will do what Henry sir will say”.

Liverpool FC talked to Henry about current season objectives. Liverpool FC board set European qualification as the objective for Henry. Henry on the objectives set by the board for current season ”I think Liverpool FC has a potential to qualify for Europe this season but we need some fresh faces in the current squad”.

Thierry Henry told the board that he belive continental qualification is possible. As a result, the transfer budget for this season has been set at 25M dollars and the payroll budget of 8.65M p/a dollars. The club is currently spending 1,450,618 pounds per week on salaries.

Lucas Leiva, the 30 year old tenacious defensive midfielder is on target of many clubs. Paris Saint Germain and Man City are interested in the player. Paris Saint Germain have made an offer of 20,500,000 pounds for Lucas. The offer includes 16.5 M pounds over 30 months. If Liverpool FC agree to this deal Gremio will receive 2.5% of the transfer fee as a solidarity contribution on completion of the deal. Man City have made an offer of 22,500,000 pounds. The offer includes 16.75 M pounds spread over 24 months. Henry on Lucas "He is good player and he has potential to become one of the Liverpool finest. We need Lucas if we want to achieve current season objective."

A press conference has been called at Anfield to officially introduce Thierry Henry to the media as the new head coach of Liverpool FC.

Location: Anfield

Number of Journalists:11

Henry "I'm very happy with the direction we're going in. Everyone at the club wants to be the best they can be, nobody more so than me."

Henry "I will undertake a complete evaluation of the staff here and get rid of anyone I consider to be deadwood"

Henry "I want every player to know that they can come to me with anything"

Henry "I have dreamed of this moment for years."

Henry "The league has to be my priority. That's what the fans want."

Henry "I'm not prepared to talk about transfer policy right now, and I'm happy with my team."

Henry "I want to keep Lucas here and will be doing everything in my power to ensure that."

1

Man City and Chelsea have been made 7-4 joint favorites to win the English Premier League title this season. The rest of the main contenderrs are priced at: 2-1-Man Utd, 5-1- Arsenal, 8-1-Liverpool and 20-1-Tottenham.

As far as Liverpool is concerned, the bookmakers believe that you definitely have the quality to mount a serious title challenge and that no matter what happens Liverpool will be there or thereabouts come the end of the season. The pre-season odds of 8-1 that they have given you reflect this.

Suso is out on loan to Liga BBVA side Malaga.

Lucas Leiva decline his transfer rumors. According to rumors, Paris Saint Germain or Manchester City are going to be his next club. But Lucas denied all these rumors. When asked by a Journalist from The Daily Post he said that "He has no plans on moving from Anfield. He is happy and wants to continue his career at Liverpool."

Simon Mignolet

Brad Jones

Glen Johnson

Martin Skrtel

Mamadou Sakho

Alberto Moreno

Jose Enrique

Javi Manquillo

Dejan Lovren

Jon Flanagan

Lucas Leiva

Jordan Henderson

Joe Allen

Raheem Sterling

Philippe Coutinho

Enzo Perez

Steven Gerrad

Adam Lallana

Lazai Marlovic

Daniel Sturridge

Mario Balotelli

Ricki Lambert

Fabio Borini

Liverpool:80' Balotelli, 88' Daniel

Liverpool U'21:------

MOM:Mario Balotelli

Liverpool:------

Real Salt Lake:------

Liverpool:12' Markovic, 26' Henderson

Sporting Kansas City:76' Wallace

MOM:Jordan Henderson

Liverpool:26' Sakho, 57' Sturridge

AS Monaco:67' Lucas

MOM: Sakho

Antalyspor:------

Liverpool:------

Liverpool:30' Lucas, 49' Joe, 70' Henderson

Colorado:7' Kevin, 90' Elliot

MOM:Jordan Henderson

Overall a very good pre-season. Won 4 matches out of 6. key players were Daniel sturridge, Jordan Henderson and Lucas.

Everton enjoyed a considerable size advantage, weighing on average 11 lbs more per player, but were unable to overcome their lighter opponents, perhaps proving that on a wet evening at Anfield at least, brains are more important than brawn.

Ball winning midfielder Lucas Leiva got Liverpool Off to a flying start by scoring an incisive finish from 13 yards in the 5th minute. Poacher Daniel Sturridge doubled Liverpool's lead with a well timed finish from close range in 14th minute. Wonderkid Raheem Sterling completed the rout with a well timed close range finish in the 29th minute.

Lucas put in a player of the match performance during Liverpool's convincing 3-0 victory over Everton. The defensive midfielder netted the best goal of the game to round off his performance by scoring an incisive finish from 13 yards. The defensive midfielder's accuracy of passing was a contributing factor towards this impressive display.