Liverpool - You'll Never Walk Alone

Lovely signing in Gundogan! Surprised you didn't go for a right-back though, is Jon Flanagan going to be first-choice this season?

Glenn: Well the funds are there for almost any right back in the World really. I just thought £30M for Gundogan was enough money spent, and I'm confident Flanagan, Wisdom and Manquillo can do a job for me. Flanagan will be first choice yeah, he's great!

Big fan of Gundogan, still praying he joins United in real life I'm sure he'll do well for ya

This pre-season Liverpool travelled to America where they would tour the country and take on four sides - Vancouver, SuperSport Unites, Chivas USA and Toronto. The new signings took to the team like a duck to water as they attempted to blend with their new teammates.

The first game was against Vancouver where the Reds would unleash only two of their new players on their opponents. Ilkay Gundogan played apart, assisting for Raheem Sterling's first goal in the 30th minute and Divock Origi who recently arrived from a loan spell at former club Lille.

Daniel Sturridge sealed the win late in the second half with a cheeky chipped finish which nestled nicely into to the bottom right of the net. The Vancouver keeper did everything he could to keep the number 15 at bay but he was powerless to his sublime technique and composure.

Liverpool's second game would come against a tough and stubborn Toronto. Considered one of the best in the American leaves, the certainly proved that as they kept Liverpool out for the full 90 minutes. They were brilliant in defense, and Liverpool weren't quite brilliant enough in attack as they were denied a win.

The score ended 0-0 as Danny Ings and Milner featured for their new club.

SuperSport United were powerless to Liverpool's attacking efforts. The Red's did concede two second half goals but the 5 goals in the first half all coming from Moreno, Sterling, Lucas Leiva and Daniel Sturridge who notched two to his name. SuperSport were inferior.

Lastly, Chivas USA welcomed Henderson and co to the StubHub Centre where they too were made to look fools as they were looked down upon by Rodgers' men. Mamadou Sakho and Skrtel who seem to be forming a formidable partnership at the back both got themselves on the score sheet from two first half corners.

Chivas were back in the game just before half time but it was Raheem Sterling's goal that secured a 3-1 win and put an end to Chivas' hopes.

Liverpool look all set to head out into the Premier League next month, it's now just a question of keeping fit. They take on Crystal palace away, Norwich at home and Manchester United at Old Trafford in their first three games. How many points can you see the team picking up?

Love the layouts of your update, superb!

It's that time of year again when all football fans from around the country and many others from around the World come together to experience the first day of the Premier League Season. Last year, Chelsea won the title with almost no competition to challenge them. Will things be different this year round though?

Well that's why we bring you this season preview. To get a glimpse of who will be battling for the title and the European cup places as well as who will be in the fight to keep relegation at bay.

So as you would imagine Chelsea are the title favorites this year at 6-4, with Manchester City following closely behind at 7-4. Both teams have bolstered their squad rosters with Chelsea having spent the most with about a £4.5M gap between them. At a combined fee of £46M Chelsea bring in Giovanni Dos Santos, Andriy Yarmolenko and Marco Verratti. Bakkali joins on a free transfer.

Joining City at a combined fee of £41M are Lenardo Bonucci from Juventus, Wellington Nem, Barcelona left back Adriano and Eduardo Salvio.

The remainder of the top seven include Manchester United at 3rd, Arsenal at 4th, Liverpool 5th, Spurs 6th and Everton 7th.

But who will be battling against relegation? The likely candidates would be the two newly promoted sides Bournemouth and Watford. Crystal Palace are also predicted to join them in 18th.

The likes of Norwich, Leicester, Villa and Sunderland will have their work cut out as they always do. The overwhelming favorites though are indeed AFC Bournemouth.

The team we're mostly interested in though is obviously Liverpool who are predicted to finish in fifth place.
Lastly year they were very disappointing after such a brilliant season before and this year they are going to have to improve very quickly if 1. Rodgers is to stay at the club and 2. If they want to take Liverpool back to it's former glory. Which I am sure they want to do.

The Reds will compete in three trophies this season as well as the Premier League. These are including The FA Cup, The Capital One Cup and The Europa League. It'll be hard for them to compete in all four but they now have a lot more depth than they did and should find it less difficult than last year however it will be one very hard long season for them.

The Capital One Cup provides a platform for the younger players in the teams to play on and with one of the best youth systems in the country it's likely that Brendan Rodgers will want to deploy his some of his youngsters and see how they can perform on a bigger stage. Most notably Jordan Ibe who we expect to have more game time in the League.

Liverpool can go far in the Capital One Cup - Really it's just a matter of who plays and who doesn't as they look for further success in the competition.

The FA Cup regarded as much more reputable than the Capital One Cup when really they're almost no different, always seems to be that extra bit harder. Maybe down to the fact teams are wanting to win it more than other tournaments. Another tournament which the Reds are very successful in and another tournament that they can be even more successful in. We predict at least a semi final finish from the lads.

In the Europa League, teams are often much more competitive mainly down to the fact that they all seem to be on the same level compared to the Champions League. It'll be hard for them to compete but they're better than most of the teams in the competition. Their group was drawn out yesterday and it holds Athletic Bilbao, Dinamo Moscow and Ast. Tripolis. No more than a finish at the top of the group should be good enough this year for Liverpool.

Overall, this season looks like it could be a good one for them. They will fight bravely for the Champions League places (We do think they are fully capable of finishing above 5th) and they will most certainly battle for any silverwear they can get their hands on. The domestic cups the easiest option. Rodgers just needs that first trophy, then and only then will this team fully have faith in him and flourish under his management.

great update whats your plans with Lambert? will you use him and will he be the forgotten man?

Motivated One: I tried to offload him in the summer but it didn't happen. I thought I might as well register him just in case but I doubt he'll play very much if at all.

Didn't know Lazar was Senegalese and Can was British

Glenn: this is why I shouldn't update late at night

2015-06-20 00:43#215060 Glenn T : Didn't know Lazar was Senegalese and Can was British

Tut tut tut, you let me down

Three days before the start of the Premier League when Liverpool will play Crystal palace at Selhurst, Brendan Rodgers has finally put the rumors to bed regarding the next Liverpool captain. The man to replace Gerrard as skipper will be Jordan Henderson as expected.

Henderson who was once deemed unfit for a place at the club wasn't always as favored by the supporters as he might be now. His move which was thought to be between £16 and £20 million didn't go down well with the fans and of course you can understand the disappointment when he looked as though he wasn't going to repay the fee in performances.

As a young skillful player Henderson knew that the talent was there for him to succeed but under Dalglish it was all about maintaining the correct mindset and relieving the pressure. This didn't work under the Liverpool legend's management and as soon as young and talented manager Brendan Rodgers came in and nearly pushed him out of the club, the now Red captain knew it was time to sort his game out.

Since then the midfielder who partnered Gerrard on many occasions has gone on to make a 139 appearances scoring 17 goals in the process. Both Rodgers and Henderson spoke to LFCTV and SkySports News and here's what they had to say.

Henderson: "This is a massive moment for me in my career, personally. When I first signed here I knew it was an opportunity to progress my career and ability but never did I think for one second I'd become the captain. Not until Stevie made his decision to leave anyway.

"I'd thought about how awesome it'd be to lead this club but I never thought it could actually happen. I always thought Stevie would go on a lot longer than me here even if I am 10 years younger. He's Mr. Liverpool. I couldn't believe it when he made his decision to make his way to America.

"Of course this day isn't all about me it's about the team who are gaining a different leader for the first time in a long time. I have to and want to repay Brendan's faith in me by helping this side to a lot of trophies. it won't be easy but I'm confident in my ability and will give it my all."

When asked about how he thinks the team will perform this season, he had this to say.

It's a difficult question to answer really but I feel like we've prepared well and worked hard in pre season. We're all raring to go. I feel like the team has been let of the shackles though. When Gerrard was here - And he won't mind me saying this because he's even said it himself - He had such an influence on the pitch as well as off it that most of the team felt like he was the go to guy. If in danger, give it to Stevie. Stevie's called for it so give it him.

It won't be like that anymore I'm hoping as is he so we'll be looking to see if the side can play with a little more freedom."

Rodgers only spoke to LFCTV briefly as he was caught outside of Melwood but here is what the boss said.

Rodgers: "Jordan's a great player and an even better person. He's been with the club for a while now and knows it very well. Albeit as does the likes of Skrtel and Lucas but...No I think Jordan is a young player to possesses great leadership qualities, he's a little like Gerrard. He'll score an amazing goal and the team will react very well. He leads by example.

"There were many options. For instance Milner, Sakho and Skrtel especially. Jordan's the right man for the job though."

As previous vice-captain as well, Jordan does leave a gap needed to be filled and who else but Mamadou Sakho? The former PSG captain just like Henderson is very young and holds superb leadership qualities. He's a determined guy and rarely let's the side down. Fans have voiced their content at Sakho's appointment and think he's the right man for the position.

Henderson will get his first real taste as Liverpool captain in three days time when his team and Crystal palace lock horns at Selhurst park on the Premier League's opening day.

Great read and glad you gave Hendo the armband think the boy deserves it

loving this Liverpool story, hopefully Henderson has what it takes to lead you to glory

CRYSTAL PALACE 0-3 LIVERPOOL (STURRIDGE, SAKHO, MILNER)
LIVERPOOL 1-0 NORWICH (IBE)
MANCHESTER UNITED 1-1 LIVERPOOL (STURRIDGE)

After what was a successful pre-season and summer transfer window, Liverpool would be looking to prove that they aren't the team they were last season. With three Premier League games all in the form of Palace, Norwich, and United they would certainly have to be at their best to get maximum points.

Rodgers and his side first took to Selhurst Park where Alan Pardew was ready to secure another win over the Reds having already done so on numerous occasions at Newcastle. For this first game Liverpool went out with their strongest side seeing this first game as the most important of the opening few.

They started the game playing some attractive, fluid, attacking, and possessive football. Raheem Sterling who was also man of the match in this game came close a couple of times before the 30th minute which was the point at which Daniel Sturridge netted his sides' first goal of the season.

The second half brought an early second when Jordan Henderson fired in a cross from a free kick conceded by former teammate Martin Kelly who brought down Coutinho on the left wing. The ball curled in from the left and Mamadou Sakho was there to direct it up and over Wayne Hennessey.

It wasn't too long after the second goal that Lucas Leiva was sent off for a second yellow. This had no baring on the match however, as Liverpool went on to score 20 minutes later. Daniel Sturridge who was brought down in the box earned his side a penalty. Substitute and debutant James Milner coolly slotted it away for his first ever goal in Red shirt.

---

The second game of the season brought no challenge for Liverpool. Although it might not seem like they struggled, 40 shots and 70% possession really proved that Norwich were just no match whatsoever. They didn't even register a shot on target.

You may think the pure domination from Liverpool would result in an absolute trashing but no. The team struggled to find a way through for the entire game as Daniel Sturridge was completely misfiring all game until he was taken off for Danny Ings in the 60th minute.

Ings' first appearance as a Liverpool player wouldn't be one to go down in history, and no he didn't come on to win the game. Quite the opposite really. He - like Sturridge - was misfiring for the 30 minutes he was on. So in a last ditch attempt to scrape out the three points, Milner and Ibe would be brought on for Markovic and Gundogan.

Having not scored a Liverpool goal before in a first team game, Ibe was unlikely to produce in the 10 minutes he was given on the pitch but he out of all the players on the pitch proved to be the decisive factor in the 85th minute when he darted past Assou-Ekotto then drove on shoving Bassong out of way before absolutely leathered it past Ruddy.

Liverpool just about scaped the three points and Ibe had made it 6 from 2. A god start.

---

The last game of August would come against huge rivals Manchester United and the prospect of playing in a North West for some was massive, especially for the likes of Ibe who was actually left on the bench even after scoring the winner in the last game.

It seemed he might have played but the change of tactic from a 4-2-3-1 to a 4-1-2-1-2 would leave the side without any wingers and so Danny Ings would get his first start for his new club, partnering Sturridge up top. Sterling would sit just behind the front two looking to create a front three as a shadow striker.

The game was even all throughout but Liverpool were considered the better side although it was only 11 minutes into the game when Robin Van Persie struck home sending the Red Devils into the lead. Liverpool responded well and for the rest of the first half it was all them.

They got what they deserved in the 31st minute as well! Sterling who received the ball on the edge of the box from Coutinho slotted in delightful pass for Sturrudge to run on to. 1 on 1 with De Gea, he made absolutely no mistake when curling it around the Spaniard into the bottom corner.

The rest of the game was also pretty much Liverpool's game although United did have their fair of shots, they just couldn't make them count. De Gea was on tip top form as well despite conceding in the first half. He made save after save to deny Liverpool three points and even earned himself the man of the match.

Late on he got himself what could already be save of the season. Jordan Ibe returned to the field after having won the game against Norwich and he very nearly did the same here when he volleyed Henderson's corner from the back post. It was like a guided missile to the top right corner but De Gea from out of nowhere got his fingers to it and changed it's course for the crossbar.

Liverpool would more than likely go home happy with what they'd achieved in the last three games.

Player Of The Month - Raheem Sterling

---

Sterling was instrumental in all three games we played this month. He was absolutely super against Crystal Palace and put in a performance of the highest quality against United. All that was missing was a goal. His assist for Sturridge was sublime.

Ibe was also another fantastic player this month as was Sturridge, both could have earned the award but Sterling was on another level.

Thoughts On the Report

Rodgers: We've had a great start to the season. Our performance against Palace was probably the best in terms of goals but the one against United definitely comes close considering they're a much bigger side at a much higher quality.

I'd like to say we got lucky against Norwich but really with the possession we had and the amount of shots we had I don't really know if I can call it lucky because we certainly deserved the goal. I'll hope to see more of this from the side next month. Consistency is key.